Midway Hot Spring
Midway Hot Spring flows at 115°F in Wasatch County's Heber Valley, running 67.4°F above ambient temperatures at 5,650 feet elevation. The spring emerges just 38 meters from the nearest road in one of Utah's most geothermally active valleys, where annual precipitation reaches 25.2 inches and winter snowfall totals 105.5 inches. Water chemistry shows 1,730 mg/L total dissolved solids with sulfate concentrations at 661 mg/L.
The Heber Valley forms a structural basin between the Wasatch Range to the west and the Uinta Mountains to the east, creating conditions for thermal water circulation. The resort town of Midway occupies valley floor lands where numerous springs emerge along fault zones. Mountain peaks rise above 11,000 feet on the surrounding skyline, feeding Deer Creek and other tributaries. Valley floor agriculture and expanding residential development characterize land use, with the thermal corridor running through the town's historic district where Swiss settlers established dairy farms in the 1860s.
The spring's location within Midway reflects the town's founding relationship with thermal features. Swiss and German immigrants who settled here in the 1850s recognized the valley's agricultural and thermal potential. The concentration of hot springs gave rise to resort development in the early twentieth century. This particular spring represents one of several thermal discharge points along the valley's central fault system. Chemical similarity across Midway springs indicates a shared deep aquifer source.
Visit year-round, though winter requires snow driving skills as precipitation is heavy. The high water temperature allows cold-weather soaking when air temperatures drop below freezing. Spring runoff can affect access between March and May. Check on current status, as some Midway springs have entered private resort development. Combine with skiing at nearby Wasatch resorts or ice fishing on Jordanelle Reservoir, 15 miles north.
Is Midway Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Midway Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3) with 1730 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
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