Green Spring
Green Spring flows at 75°F from terrain near Washington in Washington County, emerging just 12 meters from road access at 2,880 feet elevation in southwestern Utah's red rock country. Recent USGS measurements documented 24°C with 1,490 mg/L total dissolved solids, while chemistry shows 124 mg/L calcium, 28 mg/L magnesium, and 338 mg/L sodium balanced by 465 mg/L sulfate and 323 mg/L chloride. The spring runs only 11 degrees above ambient in this warm desert climate.
The spring occupies low-elevation terrain in the Mojave Desert transition zone, where Washington's 2,880-foot elevation supports creosote bush, Joshua tree, and desert vegetation adapted to 8 inches of annual precipitation and minimal snow. The surrounding landscape features red sandstone formations, desert washes, and views characteristic of southwestern Utah's color country, with the spring emerging from sedimentary rocks that create the region's distinctive red hues. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 100°F, making this one of Utah's hottest spring environments.
The Green name likely references vegetation sustained by spring flow in the otherwise arid landscape, with the area utilized by Southern Paiute peoples before Mormon pioneer settlement in the 1850s. Washington developed as an agricultural community using spring and creek water for irrigation, with thermal springs playing a minor role compared to crop production in establishing the settlement pattern that continues today.
The roadside location provides easy access year-round, though summer heat makes spring and fall vastly more comfortable for visits. Red Cliffs Campground lies 14 km away, offering reservable sites within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area managed to conserve desert ecosystems and cultural resources. The spring's modest temperature elevation makes it less appealing for soaking than hotter springs, but the setting showcases southwestern Utah's distinctive geology.
Is Green Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Green Spring contains 1490 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
Overview Red Cliffs Recreation Area includes a campground, day use areas, a non-motorized trail system, and interpreted public use sites. Dinosaurs left their footprints, now visible in the sandstone. Ancestral Puebloans lived here in the 10th century, growing corn, beans, and squash along Quail and Leeds Creek. Mid-19th century pioneers farmed here, supplying the area’s silver miners with food. Located within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, the Recreation Area is managed to cons...