Compton Spring
Compton Spring flows at 72°F in Weber County's western lowlands near Hooper, featuring elevated salinity with 420 mg/L sodium and 680 mg/L chloride at 4,405 feet elevation.
Positioned on the broad, flat basin floor west of the Wasatch Mountains, the spring emerges in agricultural and grazing lands extending toward the Great Salt Lake. This low-elevation setting features sagebrush, greasewood, and salt-tolerant vegetation adapted to the semi-arid climate with only 14.2 inches of annual precipitation and modest 24.3 inches of snow. The terrain is characterized by ancient lake beds and alluvial deposits from when Lake Bonneville covered this region. The spring sits 311 meters from South East Promontory Road in relatively remote agricultural territory.
The Compton name likely references a local family or landowner from Weber County's settlement era. This portion of western Weber County remained sparsely populated relative to the Ogden area, utilized primarily for grazing and dry farming. Documentation of the spring's historical use is limited, though such thermal features in the western basin were known to ranchers and early surveyors.
Access requires a moderate walk across open terrain from South East Promontory Road. High salinity makes water non-potable. The remote setting offers solitude but no facilities or services. Simpson Springs Campground lies 24.6 kilometers away along the Pony Express Trail. Summer heat in this low, exposed location can be intense; spring and fall provide more comfortable visiting conditions for those exploring western Utah's thermal features.
Is Compton Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Compton Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) with 1520 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
Overview The campground is situated on the eastern edge of Utah's West Desert near the historic Simpson Springs station on the Pony Express National Historic Trail. Simpson Springs was the site of a significant Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp in the late 1930s and early 1940s, just prior to the establishment of the US Army Dugway Proving Grounds during World War II. Recreation Hiking, picnicking, OHV riding, mountian biking, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, scenic backcountry byway,...