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Meadow Hot Spring.. literally hot spring caves in the middle of a big meadow! Easy to access, right off I-15, these hot springs are super popular to those passing through. When you get to Meadow Hot Springs, there are a couple of fun surprises.. including warm water fish swimming around you while you soak!
This is easily one of the most popular hot springs in Utah. Instagram has made Meadow Hot Spring really blow up. And upon getting there, it’s easy to see why.
Meadow Hot Spring is a link of three different cave hot springs, all connected underground. There are warm-water fish in the hot springs, and you really feel like you’re in a tropical location when in the water. Being outside of the water in the winter is a whole different story, as the water really isn’t hot instead just warm. You can sit in the hot springs for hours and not get too hot.
Meadow Hot Spring, Utah Quick Facts
- Location: Meadow, Utah
- Temperature: 90s .. not really great for winter
- Access: dirt road to large parking area, then short walk to most popular spring, drive up access available at other springs
- Texture: cave walls, ledges, and smooth rocks in some
- Depth: unknown, they’re actually caves
Our Time at Meadow Hot Spring
We weren’t really sure what to expect heading to Meadow Hot Spring. Honestly, I didn’t even know if we’d find it with the directions we found online. But it was actually super easy to find, and while it was really busy when we visited, we were able to camp for two nights in our own private area.
Staying overnight was the perfect way to experience the hot springs. We didn’t feel rushed to go jump in all the pools right away and got to truly enjoy each one — both with other people and having the pools all to ourselves.
A bit shocked by how cold the water was, it’s really more warm than hot, we found ourselves never really warming up as you would in a typical hot spring. However, that didn’t matter to us.. we were like kids at a water park. Jumping into the coldest pool of them all filled with fish and exploring the cave bits we could safely reach with goggles.
Meadow Hot Spring is a super fun hot spring.. we’d just recommend visiting in the warmer months, as the water really isn’t super hot.
Where Exactly is Meadow Hot Spring?
Meadow Hot Spring is located in Meadow, just south of Fillmore, Utah. It’s technically privately owned, however, the owners of the land opened it up for the public. It’s about 2.5 hours south of Salt Lake City.. a straight shot down I-15 (check here for google maps directions from Salt Lake).
From I-15, take exit 158. Drive past the shell down the main street of Meadow. You’ll be on this road for about four miles. At that point, there’s a dirt road leading just onto farmland. This is Hot Spring Road. It will take you back across I-15, to a large parking lot. Park your car and then follow the sound of people.
This road technically loops through three different hot spring pools. However, we recommend just parking in the main lot and walking to the others to make sure your car can make it. Some of the sections are completely destroyed, so just avoid driving on them and ruining them more.
What’s the Hype About Meadow Hot Spring Utah?
While it’s hard to say what exactly is the the craze at Meadow Hot Spring.. a couple pictures of the place might just show you what all the hype is about! It’s a beautiful natural hot spring with mountains in the background… what’s not to love!
What’s the History Behind Meadow Hot Spring?
Oh man, there is something about hot springs that brings out the most defensive side of people. Each time we talk to people about what they know of the different hot springs, we hear different stories and everyone stands loud and proud behind the history they know. Likewise, there’s always a battle of who’s been in visiting the hot springs the longest.
Two things we heard a couple of different times though… The hot springs are on private land. The landowners want others to enjoy the natural phenomenon, so they’ve opened it to the public. Throughout the years, the hot springs have been shut down due to people getting lost and dying in the caves, or passing out drunk and drowning in the caves.
We also heard that many people get stuck driving around the hot springs. It used to be very nice and all fenced in, but over the years, people have taken down the fencing and just driven where they shouldn’t. This leads them to get stuck in water that is deeper than it looks and in the huge mud pits. Lesson from them??? Meadow Hot Springs is not a 4x4ing area. Go somewhere else to do that.
How’s the Water Temperature at Meadow Hot Spring?
We visited Meadow Hot Spring in November. At that time of year, the water wasn’t really hot, probably around 100 degrees. It was definitely warmer than the outside temps, however, not hot enough to feel super hot and ready to get out after a few hours of soaking.
The three different hot spring pools at Meadow Hot Spring range in temperature. The main pool is the warmest. It has a rope across it for people to sit on, and a rope to hold as you swim down into the water.
The pool with the dock and the most warm-water fish is the coldest of the three. We found this pool to still be fun to jump into late at night.
The third pool, or the middle pool from the parking lot going clockwise, is the middle temperature. There’s one spot on the side where you can feel the hotter water coming out of the rocks. Other than that, it’s comfortable to sit in, but again, not hot. This hot spring has the largest shelf though above the water.. making it a great pool to soak in when it’s raining!
Can I Scuba or Snorkel at Meadow Hot Spring?
You can both scuba dive and snorkel at Meadow Hot Spring. Scuba diving should be reserved for those only well-trained or going in groups, as there have been multiple people lost in the caves. Snorkeling is fun in all three pools. Just be aware of others around you and be respectful of them underwater.
There are warm water fish in all three pools, though the one with the dock has the most fish in it. However, wearing goggles and swimming in each of the pools is awesome just to see the cave formations underground!
If you do choose to dive underwater with goggles, keep an eye out for jewelry. Many people have lost their wedding rings in Meadow Hot Spring!
When is the Best Time to Visit Meadow Hot Spring?
Meadow Hot Springs aren’t very hot, so we suggest not visiting in the winter months. With that said, if that’s the only time you can visit.. go for it! It’s a bit chilly, but still worth it!
Spring, summer, and fall are all great times to visit. In the summer, it will be like a heated pool you’re swimming in. There is no shade in the area, so be sure to pack something for shade if you plan on spending a lot of time at the hot springs.
As far as timing goes.. there were people at the hot springs at all hours of the day and night. It’s definitely more crowded on the weekends when more people have time off. We found early mornings to be the quietest of the day.. perfect for those camping at the hot springs!
{Traveler’s Tip.. if your swimsuit is frozen, like mine in the image below, dip it in the hot spring water before putting it on! This way it’s a bit warmer and not frozen stiff!}
What’s With the Fish at Meadow Hot Spring?
Someone experimented with the warm water of the hot springs and found that warm water fish can actually survive in the water. What started as only a few fish, turned into hundreds of fish.. most being in the cooler pool of them all.
It’s believed that the three different hot spring pools are all connected and the caves below the surface are how the fish move between the three pools.
What do I Need to Bring For Soaking in Meadow Hot Spring?
Proper swimsuits are a must when visiting Meadow Hot Spring and other hot springs in Utah. While there were a handful of people dipping in the hot springs nude when we were there, it’s technically illegal in Utah. And, people snorkel and scuba in these springs.. so that’s just nasty!
You’ll also certainly want to bring a towel. We always travel with a microfiber towel, as they’re small, quick-drying, and are made for being used over and over again without washes in between.
We also recommend bringing a water bottle. At least a liter of it per person. Being in the hot water will dehydrate you. Plus, drinking water is a great way to cool you down on the inside!
Crocs are great shoes for slipping in and out of getting in and out of the hot springs. You don’t need hiking shoes or anything fancy in or out of the water.
Don’t be too cool at the hot springs.. Connect with your inner child and throw on some goggles and enjoy swimming around the pools! It’s super cool to see the rock formations underwater!
Meadow Hot Spring Etiquette
Wear Clothing // It’s technically illegal to soak in hot springs in Utah nude. And people snorkel, scuba, and swim with goggles here.. not the best place to be bathing nude.
Stay in Designated Areas // Meadow Hot Spring is actually on private land and it has had to be shut down before due to people being so disrespectful of the land. The owners used to have a nice fence lining all the parking and driving areas, but people have come through and knocked down parts using it for firewood instead. Keep outside the obvious fenced area, and if it’s super muddy, don’t go 4 x 4ing.. instead, just walk a couple of extra steps.
Pack Out Trash // If you bring it there, don’t leave it there. There are a couple of trash bins, but again, it’s a private piece of property, so unless you’re donating money, pack out your trash. If you can’t bring it back to your car after soaking, don’t bring it with you in the first place!
Don’t Use the Bathroom in the Springs // After hearing people at other hot springs talk about going to the bathroom in the hot spring, I feel I have to remind everyone reading our posts to not do that. It’s freaking disgusting.. Nobody wants to soak in your pee! Go 200 feet away from the fresh water and use the bathroom there instead.
Leave Your Pets in the Car // Is it just us or does it drive everyone else insane when people let their dogs in hot springs!? And even more so when people allow their dogs to just run freely splashing other soakers, and getting water all over other people’s belongings!? As a pet owner, please keep in mind, not all people are “dog” people and want your dogs all up in their business!
Donate if You Can // There are a few donation boxes scattered around the hot springs. If you can, pop in a couple of bucks or even a nice note to thank the owners for opening up their private property for all to enjoy.
Camping Near Meadow Hot Spring
You can camp right at Meadow Hot Spring. When we were there, there were several vans in the main parking lot, people in tents pitched behind bushes to shield them from the wind, and a few others scattered around the driving loop.
Be mindful of where you park while others visit. We parked right at one of the hot springs only after everyone else had left. It made for an amazing night, enjoying the place to ourselves. With that said, we wouldn’t have done this if other people were around or if it was any busier. If you have the place to yourself, enjoy parking up right next to the water. Otherwise, find a more private place so you don’t disturb people trying to soak!
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