Camp Williams
Camp Williams thermal spring emerges at 70°F on a National Guard military training area, delivering water 17.8 degrees above ambient temperature with moderate mineralization of 373 mg/L TDS and near-neutral pH of 7.7.
The spring sits at 4,460 feet elevation in the Jordan River valley south of Bluffdale, where the Wasatch Front transitions to military training lands. Camp Williams occupies broad alluvial benches between the Oquirrh Mountains to the west and the Wasatch Range to the east, with mixed sagebrush-grassland vegetation typical of Utah's foothill zone. Annual precipitation averages 19.6 inches with nearly 50 inches of snow, creating a relatively moist microclimate for this elevation. The spring lies 333 meters from 1300 West road within the secured military reservation.
Named for the National Guard facility that has occupied this site since the early 20th century, the spring predates military use but became incorporated into the training area's infrastructure. Historical records document thermal activity in this section of the Jordan Valley, though specific Indigenous or pioneer accounts for this individual spring are limited. The site remains under Department of Defense jurisdiction with no civilian development history.
Public access is prohibited due to active military training area status. No visitor facilities exist. Nearest public camping is Little Mill Campground in American Fork Canyon, 21.8 kilometers northeast. The spring's military location makes it suitable only for study in land management and hydrogeology contexts, not recreation.
Is Camp Williams worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Camp Williams is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7) with 373 mg/L total dissolved solids.
Overview Little Mill Campground is located in American Fork Canyon on the banks of American Fork Creek. This popular campground is a great place to escape the hot summer days while hiking or fishing.Recreation American Fork Creek is a favorite among fly-fisherman. The creek is stocked with rainbow trout. The 20-mile paved Alpine Loop Scenic Byway passes the campground, traveling through alpine canyons, mountain meadows, aspen groves and pine forests, providing breathtaking views of the Was...