Last July, I finally had the opportunity to visit Balmorhea State Park, which has been on my summer to-do list since I started in this position more than eight years ago. As high as my anticipation was to finally experience the beloved West Texas oasis, the 1.3-acre spring-fed pool, with its crystal-clear waters, easily exceeded my expectations. After securing a reservation three weeks before our July 24 visit—day passes are recommended during peak season and can be booked up to four weeks early—my husband, 11-year-old daughter, 9-year-old son, and I arrived at 3 p.m. for our afternoon slot.
While my daughter quickly made a beeline to join the queue for the high dive, shouting for us to make sure to watch her jump, my son opted to take his time acclimating to the 76-degree water. We rarely left the pool for the next four hours, admiring the view of the Davis Mountains as we floated the afternoon away. My kids especially loved diving underwater to study the catfish and turtles that inhabit the 25-feet-deep pool. Despite being at capacity for the day, the park never felt crowded and the atmosphere remained buoyant—the cool water and mountain backdrop providing a soothing antidote to the late-summer heat. But take it from the teenager I overheard on our way out—“Man, that went so fast. We should’ve made a full day reservation!”—and plan to stay for more than one day if you can. Campsites and lodging at the on-site San Solomon Motor Courts, originally constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps, can be secured at the park’s website.
Throughout this issue, you’ll find plenty of ideas for cooling off this summer, including a practical guide to floating the Guadalupe River, a tour of the state’s healing mineral spas, and a survey of the best seafood dives to fuel your coastal adventures.
