We spent a lot of time across the southwest this year and were told time after time about hot springs here and there that shouldn’t be missed with all our hiking.
Sadly, they were all missed.
So when we heard about a hot spring in Midway, UT that’s inside a dome crater we decided it had to be done before heading back east. It was a great choice.
You can book for longer, but we chose a 40 minute “swim” which is really more of a float. You’re provided with a life jacket which keeps you bobbing at the top like a cork.
The water is warm so it’s like a luxurious bath. You can just lean back and float your 40 minutes away away. There are also options to dive there since it’s the only warm water diving area in the Continental US.
One word of warning: you have to wait outside the crater before your scheduled start time. On the day we went it was really chilly while waiting, so bear that in mind, especially if visiting in the winter. However, as soon as you get inside it warms right up. They have changing rooms inside as well as shelves to keep your items (they may have paid lockers but I can’t remember). You get a briefing and your life jacket and off you go into the water. The total float and swim time is about 40 mins with 10 mins prep and 10 mins to dry off and change.
We didn’t get up there, but it appears you can even walk to the top of the crater and look down at all the swimmers below!
We chose to pay a little extra for the “snorkel” option. In the end it turned out to not really be necessary unless you really want to see below or like to float on your tummy. If you have your own goggles then I’d just wear those. We both paid for the snorkel equipment and it spent a fair bit of time on the side, so if two of you are visiting then it’d be best to only rent one set of snorkeling equipment and share that. However, I enjoyed just being able to look under the water.
The water temperature is around 90°-96°F year-round which made it a luxurious, warm soak and float. If I were going to do it again, I’d skip the snorkel and book a second hour so you get longer in the water. I’d also do a scuba diving option.
Overall, swimming in the geothermal springs at Homestead Crater was a really fun experience and only an hour or so from Salt Lake City, UT.
When we visited in May 2022 the prices were:
- 40 minute soak/swim
- Monday-Thursday – $15
- Friday-Sunday – $18
- Ages 3-7 are $3 off & ages 0-2 are free
- Snorkel equipment – $8
- 1 hour introduction to scuba diving experience
- $150
- Scuba diving (1 tank dive of 60 minutes)
- Monday-Friday – $22
- Friday-Sunday – $27
- Scuba equipment rental – $30
- Tank rental only – $10
Yay! So glad you got to do this! When we went in October, it was also a bit chilly waiting outside, but you warm right up…and we loved the luxurious float in the water!!