Warner Valley Spring
Emerging at 70 degrees Fahrenheit in Warner Valley, this spring rises just 6.2 degrees above ambient at 2,720 feet elevation in Washington County's red rock desert. Roadside access within 1.5 meters. Water chemistry shows high mineralization with 1,680 mg/L total dissolved solids, 799 mg/L sulfate, and 213 mg/L calcium. State trust lands with open access but subject to extractive use.
The spring flows in the dramatic sandstone landscapes of southwestern Utah's Mojave Desert transition zone, where average annual temperatures reach 63.8 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation totals only 9 inches annually with minimal snowfall of 6.1 inches, creating an arid environment dominated by desert shrubs and scattered juniper. Red and white Navajo Sandstone formations characterize the surrounding terrain, with the Pine Valley Mountains rising to the north. State trust lands managed for resource revenue surround the spring within the Warner Valley Block.
The spring's name derives from Warner Valley, a broad basin in the red rock country north of St. George. Historical documentation remains limited, though the area saw Indigenous use before Mormon settlement in the 1860s. State trust lands here generate revenue for Utah's school system through grazing, mineral, and other extractive leases. The protected status classification allows resource development while maintaining some conservation standards.
Open access applies despite the state trust land designation, but verify current conditions as extractive activities may affect site availability. Visit in spring or fall to avoid summer heat exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit and rare but intense winter storms. Minimal elevation and southern latitude create a long warm season. Red Cliffs Campground, 14.5 kilometers distant, provides developed camping within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area. Bring all water, as the spring's high mineral content limits potability.
Is Warner Valley Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Warner Valley Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3) with 1680 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).
Overview Red Cliffs Recreation Area includes a campground, day use areas, a non-motorized trail system, and interpreted public use sites. Dinosaurs left their footprints, now visible in the sandstone. Ancestral Puebloans lived here in the 10th century, growing corn, beans, and squash along Quail and Leeds Creek. Mid-19th century pioneers farmed here, supplying the area’s silver miners with food. Located within the Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, the Recreation Area is managed to cons...