5 of the Best Hot Springs in Utah
Utah’s hot springs are all warmed up and waiting for you to hop in. And they're not just for the spring, either. Whether you’re looking to soak on a cool summer night or a snowy winter day, these hot springs put the “aaaaaahhh” in aaaaaahhh-dventure all year round.
Crystal Hot Springs
Crystal Hot Springs might be the best all-season hot spring on this list. That’s because Crystal has both a hot and cold spring, which makes for easy temperature adjustment and year round comfort. In the hot spring you’ll find the highest mineral content of any hot spring in the U.S. and waters as hot as 134 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold spring offers waters in the refreshing 65-75 F range, and the various pools combine waters from the two sources to hit the sweet spot. And when you’ve finally reached relaxation bliss, there are two 360-foot water slides to get the adrenaline pumping again.
Tickets Required: Yes.
Meadow Hot Springs
If God wanted you to bathe at home, he would have heated your bathtub with lava. He doesn’t, so he didn’t, because he’d already poked three perfectly heated portals to the underworld west of the freeway near Fillmore. It’s private property but the owners don’t mind if you soak or scuba. You can even camp, but as always, leave no trace.
There is a short half-mile hike to get to the springs. The water is clear and deep with temperatures hovering at about 100 F. It is accessible year-round and dog-friendly.
Tickets required: No.
Fifth Water Hot Springs
Also known as Diamond Fork Hot Springs, these are probably the most popular hot springs in Utah. Maybe that’s because of the stunning river-hugging hike (4.5 miles roundtrip) you take to get there. Or maybe it’s because of the beautiful waterfalls that sit next to the spring and nearby. For some people, it’s definitely because of the frequent nude bathing, which is illegal but definitely not uncommon. (Maybe don’t bring the kids at night.) The pools are even accessible in the winter, although snowshoes or microspikes are recommended, and road closures may push the hike anywhere between 7-13 miles roundtrip. Parking tickets are issued frequently year round, so be extra sure you adhere to all parking signs.
Tickets Required: No.
The Homestead Crater
If you’re choosing a hot spring over a spa, it’s probably because it’s a more unique experience. So while you’re at it, why not choose one of the most unique places in Utah? (That’s seriously saying something, by the way.) The Homestead Crater is a beehive-shaped limestone cave in Midway that houses a geothermal hot spring! That’s right, it’s spelunking and soaking all in one. Guests can enjoy swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, stand-up paddling and even SUP yoga! You might even recognize the Homestead Crater from “127 Hours” — it was used as a stand in for the underwater pool in Canyonlands National Park.
Tickets Required: Yes. Must be reserved ahead of time.
Mystic Hot Springs
Mystic Hot Springs is located off the beaten path in Monroe, Utah. More than just a warm, soothing soaking area, it offers an experience in art and nature with sweet views of the surrounding mountains during the day and as some Milky Way magic at night. The soaking area consists of two pools — a 2-foot deep pool with a waterfall and a 4-foot deep pool, in addition to six vintage bathtubs to relax in. Hot spring temperatures range from 99-110 F, the ideal temperature range to relax into a state of mystical musings.
Tickets Required: Yes. Must be reserved ahead of time.