Split Mountain Warm Springs
Split Mountain Warm Springs flows at 86°F within Dinosaur National Monument, emerging near the Green River at 4,920 feet in Uintah County. Protected under National Park Service management, this spring requires a 3.4-kilometer hike from the nearest road. Water contains 938 mg/L total dissolved solids with elevated chloride (290 mg/L) and sulfate (220 mg/L), flowing 35.7°F above ambient temperatures.
The spring surfaces in the dramatic canyon country where the Green River cuts through Split Mountain's tilted sedimentary layers, exposing 300 million years of geologic history. At 4,920 feet elevation, the area receives 10.9 inches of annual precipitation and 33.4 inches of snow, supporting riparian cottonwoods and willows along the river with pinyon-juniper woodlands on upland benches. The Green River's muddy green waters flow past the spring, providing a lifeline through this arid canyon landscape.
Split Mountain takes its name from the dramatic anticline split by the Green River's erosive power over millions of years. The spring has likely attracted wildlife and occasional human visitors for millennia, though specific historical documentation is limited. Dinosaur National Monument was established in 1915 to protect the Carnegie Quarry's extraordinary fossil resources, later expanded in 1938 to include canyon country. The spring falls under the monument's permanent protection mandate.
Access requires a 3.4-kilometer hike each way; plan for several hours round-trip with adequate water and sun protection. Visit spring through fall; winter access may be limited by snow. Split Mountain Group Campground sits just 3.8 kilometers away, offering developed camping along the Green River. Combine spring exploration with visits to the Quarry Exhibit Hall's spectacular dinosaur bone displays.
Is Split Mountain Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Split Mountain Warm Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 938 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
Overview The Split Mountain Group Campground is located along the banks of the Green River at an elevation of 4,800 feet (. The highly eroded Split Mountain towers over the campground. The campground is near Quarry Exhibit Hall, where you can see 149 million year old dinosaur bones still encased in the rock. Adjacent to the campground is the Split Mountain Boat Ramp where river rafters come off the Green River after trips through Dinosaur National Monument's canyons. Recreation Dinosaur Nati...