Wasatch Hot Springs
Flowing at 108 degrees Fahrenheit from Warm Springs Park in Salt Lake City, Wasatch Hot Springs ranks among Utah's hottest and most accessible thermal features. The spring rises 55.8 degrees above ambient at 4,275 feet elevation with roadside access 56 meters from Beck Street. Water carries extraordinary mineralization: 6,350 mg/L total dissolved solids, 2,820 mg/L chloride, 1,620 mg/L sodium. City-managed with open public access.
The spring emerges in an urban park setting at the base of the Wasatch Range, where the mountains rise abruptly from the valley floor. Average annual temperatures measure 52.2 degrees Fahrenheit with 18.9 inches of precipitation and 39.9 inches of snowfall. The immediate area combines parkland vegetation with dense residential and commercial development characteristic of Salt Lake City's northwest neighborhoods. The Jordan River flows less than a kilometer west. Elevation and mountain proximity create temperature inversions during winter, trapping cold air and pollution in the valley.
Wasatch Hot Springs holds deep historical significance. Indigenous peoples used the thermal waters for centuries before Mormon pioneers arrived in 1847. The springs became a community gathering place and site of Salt Lake City's first public bathhouse. Commercial spa development occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city established Warm Springs Park to preserve public access to the thermal feature, which continues to flow despite urban encroachment and groundwater changes throughout the valley.
The spring's location in a city park provides year-round access during park hours. Winter visits offer the novelty of hot water in cold air, with snow possible November through March. Summer heat in the valley can exceed 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The spring itself is not developed for bathing, but represents a significant historical and geological site within easy reach of downtown Salt Lake City. Mueller Park Group Picnic Area, 10.1 kilometers north in the foothills, provides the nearest camping.
Is Wasatch Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Wasatch Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.9) with 6350 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 Mueller Park Group Picnic Area is located just 5 miles from Bountiful, Utah, at an elevation of 5,400 feet. Visitors enjoy relaxing in the shade along Mill Creek and exploring local trails.Recreation Mueller Canyon offers excellent trail opportunities. Hiking, mountain biking, dirt biking and horseback riding are allowed here. Mueller Park Trail is 13 miles long, gradually climbing into the Wasatch foothills through dense forests before passing Elephant Rock and ending at Rudy's Flat...