Salt Spring
Salt Spring flows at 72°F near Salina in Sevier County, delivering water 21.5 degrees above the ambient temperature of 50.5°F. The spring emerges at 5,115 feet elevation on moderately mineralized chemistry—564 mg/L total dissolved solids with notable sodium and chloride. Located 139 meters from the nearest road, it requires a short walk across valley terrain.
The spring sits in central Utah's basin-and-range topography where the Sevier Plateau transitions to valley floors. At 5,115 feet, the setting receives 13.1 inches of annual precipitation and 47.2 inches of snow, supporting sagebrush and valley grassland. The Fishlake National Forest begins 22.8 kilometers east at Maple Grove Campground. Terrain is characterized by alluvial deposits and volcanic remnants from the region's geologic past. Salina lies in the valley below, surrounded by agricultural land and pinyon-juniper slopes.
The name Salt Spring refers to the moderate salinity—162 mg/L chloride and 141 mg/L sodium—though at 564 mg/L TDS the water is less mineralized than many nearby sources. No historical records document Indigenous use or early settlement activity specific to this site. Development history is undocumented in available sources.
Access requires a 140-meter walk from the road. Visit April through October when snow has cleared and temperatures are moderate. The spring's 72°F temperature makes it warm rather than hot. Maple Grove Campground, 23 kilometers away, offers base-camp access to Fishlake National Forest trails. High-clearance vehicles recommended for surrounding valley roads.
Is Salt Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Salt Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8) with 564 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
Overview Maple Grove Campground sits in Fishlake National Forest in central Utah. Visitors enjoy fishing and hiking the nearby Rock Canyon Trail.Recreation The 3.2-mile Rock Canyon Trail begins in the campground and leads to the top of the Pahvant Range. Younger campers love fishing for rainbow trout in Ivie Creek.Facilities The campground offers three reservable accessible group sites with picnic tables, campfire circles, grills and water spigots. Several single sites are available on a firs...