Troop198

TXPW has an article this month on the top 10 swim holes (Balmorhea SP is #1 to them and its hard to argue if you haven't been its worth the trip ), Now check your best two, the article included beaches which I left off this list but if thats the ticket let everyone know With 100's in North Dallas thinking of water is cool

For a quick film on Balmorhea visit this link TPWD: Balmorhea State Park Videos

JohnK

Balmorhea SP is truly a special place. For those who do not appreciate the ruggedness and unique beauty of the desert, Balmorhea may not look like much at first glance.

San Solomon Springs in Balmorhea is truly an oasis, if ever there was one. Crystal clear and spring fed, the water is a brisk 72 - 76 degrees F year round. The "pool" ranges up to 25' deep and is a great place for snorkling. Some even go SCUBA diving there. There's a great picnic area around the pool with lots of trees. It's quite a contrast to the surrounding desert and there's a great view of the Davis mountains not too far off in the distance.

I've camped there on 3 occasions and have been serenaded by coyotes every night, and the stars and view of the Milky way on a clear, moonless night are absolutely stunning. It's well-worth the drive out there.

JohnK

happybooker1

Krause Springs in Spicewood TX

srds

Barton Springs- Austin,Texas

srds :cool:
Have Fun

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campermom

We were at Balmorhea this past Tuesday on our trip. It's a pretty neat place to swim. As for a favorite swimming hole, with in a few hours of home, I'd have to say South Llano, Inks, and the Frio. I have more than one favorite.

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riverrat

Been to Garner, Balmorhea, Inks, and Pedernales. Of those I would say for swimming, its Balmorhea. But for prettiest , Frio River is tops, hands down. Haven't been to the others listed. I prefer spring fed rivers as oposed to lakes.

Not mentioned but still a beautiful spot is Hamilton Pool outside Austin. Barton Springs is nice but dang it's cold!! Makes the Frio seem heated!

funrivers

Of Course I am again partial to The Frio & Garner State Park! However, there are quite a few great swimming spots on the Frio and there's one in particular I personally think is better than Garner that's in Concan. But of course it's my own opinion. I am also sure there are some locations that are on private land that is only known/seen by a few people..

Yet, in the August Edition of Texas Wildlife & Parks Magazine, I read that Garner was rated the 2nd Best Swimming Hole (For State Parks) in Texas! I forgot what #1 was..

Frio Bound!

funrivers.com

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Troop198

Balmorhea SP was rated number 1, here is a link that may take you to the online artice Top 10 State Park Swimming Holes | | TPW magazine | August 2008

Its clear cool water with dive opportunities for all and in the middle of the dry desert may be why, it is a neat place

happybooker1

As with most of the once-in-a-lifetime vacations I plan -- *something* intervenes so we never get the experience....

We travelled to the Big Bend area in JULY 2 years ago.... specifically to stay in Balmorrhea for an overnight We arrived late afternoon. My son got into the pool for a couple of hours but I decided to wait until the next day when we would have ALL DAY LONG to swim..... We had even brought all our snorkeling equipment.

That night they had a blue norther blow in with the worst flooding the area had seen in 20 years, so the locals tell me. It was 68 degrees, rainy, & flooding so badly we couldn't have swum if we wanted to. So we just left. I have never had the experience of Balmorrhea but I HEAR it's lovely. :mad: