Ogden Hot Spring
Ogden Hot Spring discharges at 135°F from a roadside location just 28 meters from Ogden Canyon Road in Weber County, making it one of northern Utah's most accessible high-temperature thermal features. Recent USGS measurements recorded 56.5°C (133.7°F) with pH 7.7, while extreme mineralization reaches 8,400 mg/L total dissolved solids dominated by 4,990 mg/L chloride and 2,690 mg/L sodium, creating highly saline water characteristic of deep circulation systems.
The spring emerges at 4,510 feet elevation in the narrow confines of Ogden Canyon, where the Ogden River has carved through the Wasatch Range between the urbanized valley below and Pineview Reservoir upstream. Steep canyon walls rise directly above the thermal feature, while Ogden Canyon Road follows the river corridor through this dramatic cut in the mountains. The setting receives 20.7 inches of annual precipitation and 57.5 inches of snow, supporting mixed riparian and montane vegetation in a transition zone between valley grasslands and higher-elevation forests.
The spring's name derives from its location in the canyon leading to Ogden, the county seat named for Canadian trapper Peter Skene Ogden who explored the region in the 1820s. Indigenous peoples knew the canyon as a transportation corridor long before Euro-American settlement, though specific documentation of thermal spring use remains limited in the historical record.
Access from Ogden Canyon Road requires caution for vehicle pullout in a busy recreational corridor that serves heavy traffic to Pineview Reservoir year-round. Extreme water temperature and high mineral content make direct contact inadvisable. Winter conditions bring snow and ice to the canyon, though the road remains plowed for reservoir access. Combine with visits to nearby Pineview Reservoir recreation areas, 9 kilometers northeast at Port Ramp Marina.
Is Ogden Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Ogden Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7) with 8400 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 sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).
Overview Port Ramp Marina is a boat slip rental facility located just 10 miles from Ogden, Utah, on the west side of Pineview Reservoir in scenic Ogden Valley. The marina is the most used launching facility at Pineview, which is the busiest reservoir in the state.Recreation Pineview Reservoir offers spectacular boating, windsurfing, swimming, fishing, and playing in the water and sand. There are three swim areas with sandy beaches- Cemetery Point west of Huntsville, Anderson Cove Campground...