Dotsons (Radium) Warm Spring
Dotsons Warm Spring flows at 91°F from terrain 45 meters from Yellow Mountain Road at 5,302 feet elevation in Beaver County, historically known as Radium Spring. USGS measurements recorded 31.7°C water with 1,020 mg/L total dissolved solids, dominated by 440 mg/L sulfate and 88 mg/L calcium with neutral pH. The spring runs 38.6 degrees above ambient air temperatures in the high desert west of the Mineral Mountains.
The spring emerges from volcanic terrain in the Black Rock Desert, where basalt flows and cinder cones document Quaternary volcanism across a landscape receiving only 9.4 inches of precipitation annually. Sagebrush and shadscale dominate vegetation on soils too rocky and alkaline to support agriculture, while scattered juniper appears on higher ground where moisture concentrates. The Mineral Mountains rise sharply to the east, their peaks reaching above 9,000 feet, while the San Francisco Mountains define the western skyline. Winter snowfall totals 28.7 inches in an average year, accumulating from November storms and persisting into March in shaded locations.
The spring's historical Radium designation reflects early twentieth-century enthusiasm for radioactive waters, promoted for therapeutic benefits before health risks became understood. Dotsons name likely references a local ranching family, though specific documentation remains elusive. The Paiute peoples who inhabited this region before displacement utilized thermal springs for practical and ceremonial purposes, though written records of their engagement with this particular feature have not survived. The spring remains undeveloped, flowing from natural outlets on public land.
Visit from late spring through early fall when Yellow Mountain Road conditions remain favorable and ambient temperatures make the 91°F output appealing. Summer heat exceeding ninety degrees can make thermal soaking less comfortable, while winter snow and ice complicate access despite the road's proximity. The sulfate-rich chemistry may cause digestive upset if ingested. Hanging Rock Campground lies 2.8 kilometers away along the Beaver River, offering developed sites and access to fishing in what locals consider Beaver County's premier trout water.
Is Dotsons (Radium) Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Dotsons (Radium) Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 1020 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and total dissolved solids (higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking).
Overview Hanging Rock Campground is located just off of Highway 21 between the towns of Beaver and Minerville, UT. The campground has six campsites all located alongside the scenic Beaver River. Along with the scenery that the river provides, it also offers what many consider to be the best fising in Beaver County. Recreation The Beaver River provides opportunity for year-round fishing. The Paiute ATV Trail and Beaver Bench Mountain Bike Trail System are located just down the road in Beaver,...