South Tule Spring
South Tule Spring flows at 77°F in Millard County's high desert at 4,420 feet elevation, producing water 20.5°F above the 56.5°F ambient temperature. Located on Bureau of Land Management property 1,435 meters from Tule Spring Road, this spring requires a substantial walk across open terrain. Water chemistry and flow data remain undocumented in available records.
The spring emerges in the Sevier Desert's northwestern reaches, where broad, flat basins extend between distant mountain ranges under vast skies. At 4,420 feet elevation, the landscape receives just 7.1 inches of annual precipitation and 17.6 inches of snow, supporting sparse desert shrub communities dominated by shadscale and greasewood. BLM lands here serve multiple uses including livestock grazing and potential mineral development. The spring's isolation reflects the remote character of western Millard County's sparsely populated public domain.
The Tule name references tule bulrush plants (Scirpus acutus) that likely grow in wet areas around the spring, a common naming pattern in Great Basin landscapes where these wetland plants mark precious water sources. Historical use probably centered on livestock watering for ranchers utilizing BLM grazing allotments. Documentation of specific historical events or individuals associated with this remote spring remains sparse.
Access requires high-clearance vehicles on Tule Spring Road, with the nearly 1.5-kilometer walk across desert terrain best attempted in spring or fall. Summer heat is severe in this low desert environment. Winter can bring cold temperatures and occasional snow. No facilities exist nearby; visitors must be completely self-sufficient. The spring's remoteness suits those seeking solitude in undeveloped public lands.