Red Hills Hot Spring is a free hot spring right in the town of Monroe. It’s right next to the famous Mystic Hot Spring, a total tourist trap in Utah. When traveling through Utah at the end of fall, we were on a hot spring hunt everywhere we went, a perfect way to warm up in the evening and mornings too.
A quick look at the map of Monroe, and Red Hill Hot Spring jumped right out at us. Shoot, if you look in the hills around Monroe during the day, the literal red hills will jump out at you too!
We ended up soaking in Red Hills hot spring a couple different times, as there’s some great BLM camping right next to the Red Hills.
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Red Hills Hot Springs Quick Facts
- Location: Monroe, Utah
- Temperature: four pools ranging from burning hot to just above too cold
- Access: drive up dirt road, park within feet of them
- Texture: red clay and dirt
- Depth: mid chest when sitting
Where Exactly is Red Hill Hot Spring?
Red Hills Hot Spring is located right in the town of Monroe. If you follow country road 1182, it will lead you right to Red Hill Hot Spring. The hot spring is run by the city of Monroe, and has a pit toilet and signs right in the parking lot. That combined with the literal red hills and steam coming from the hot spring make it extremely hard to miss!
The road itself is doable in any kind of car. You don’t need high clearance or all-wheel drive to make it up the dirt road. We do suggest taking the road slowly, as you don’t want to stir up a ton of dirt or kick up rocks. Use your own discretion when trying to access Red Hills Hot Spring in the winter. It’s really too far of a hike from the town if the road is snowed in.
Respecting Nature at Red Hills Hot Spring
Red Hills Hot Spring is unlike the other hot springs in Utah, as it has actual hot spring thermophiles and life. With that being the case, please do not walk on the hills of the hot spring. There’s a path up behind the parking lot that leads to a paved lookout at the top, that’s worth seeing, along with a secret super hot pool to sit in called the Lobster Pot.
The source of the hot spring is fenced in because people have literally died by falling into the boiling hot water, so don’t try and climb the fence. And, do not walk on or carve things into the active hot spring hill. This damages the hillside, and ruins the hot spring and the life it brings.
What’s the Mystic Hot Spring Resort Nearby?
Mystic Hot Spring is a commercial hot spring located in the town of Monroe as well. It’s believed that the water for both hot springs comes from the same source. However, Mystic Hot Spring is on private land and has been built up into a rather unique hot spring experience.
At Mystic Hot Spring, you can pay $25 to soak in a literally hot spring bath tub for two hours. There are some really cute pictures of people at Mystic Hot Springs, however, there are mixed reviews of the place.
In our opinion, it wasn’t worth $25 per person to soak for two hours in a tub. But, to each their own. Be sure to check the latest reviews of Mystic to make sure it’s open and clean!
How Many Soaking Pools are at Red Hills Hot Spring?
There are three main soaking pools at Red Hill Hot Spring. The top pool is the hottest of the three main ones, and the lower pool the coolest. When we visited in November, the top pool was almost too hot to get in right away and stay in for a long period of time.
A fourth main pool was being built when we were at Red Hills Hot Spring last November. However, they hadn’t really sorted out how to keep the water in the pool hot enough, so it wasn’t ready for use. That may come in time, but also may flop as it truly depends on the hot spring source.
There is a “secret” pool called, The Lobster Pot, at the top of the hot spring hill. It’s called the Lobster Pot for a reason though. This pool was literally boiling hot. Way too hot to get in to! I don’t think that’s the case all the time though, as it seems people do soak in it. If it’s not too hot, I imagine it’s really nice to soak in with killer views and sort of in it’s own little bubble.
Between all of the current pools, there is plenty of space for multiple people to enjoy. The two of us shared the top pool with two other individuals that were there soaking alone, and there was still room for more people. It’s a bit tight, but doable. There was also another two people in the pool below us, and again, it didn’t feel too overcrowded.
What Services are at Red Hill Hot Spring?
Red Hill Hot Spring is run by the city of Monroe. They maintain the hot spring, check to make sure people are being respectful of the area, and check in on the hot springs after hours.
The city has installed a pit toilet at the parking lot of the hot spring (just steps away from the pools themselves), and also provide trash and recycling services.
They hammer down on camping at the hot spring, as it’s actually illegal and closes at dusk. Don’t fret though, there is camping nearby.. we’ve included more on that below.
Are the Hills Really Red?
Driving up to Red Hills Hot Spring, it’s really easy to see where the name Red Hill comes from. The thermophiles and red rock produce some absolutely beautiful reds and oranges on the hill.
While the hills are absolutely beautiful, it’s worth mentioning the red hills can stain. Keep this in mind when choosing what color of swimsuit and towel you use when visiting Red Hills Hot Spring.
What do I Need to Bring for Soaking in Red Hills Hot Springs?
Proper swimsuits are a must when visiting Red Hills Hot Springs and other hot springs in Utah. It’s technically illegal to soak in any hot spring in Utah nude. As the name suggests, Red Hill Hot Spring is red… so be sure to wear a dark colored suit so it doesn’t stain your clothes!
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 water per person. Being in the hot water will dehydrate you. Plus, drinking water is a great way to cool you down on the inside!
Since this hot spring is literally just steps from the parking lot, you really don’t have to wear shoes to get in and out. Though there is sometimes broken glass at the hot spring, so shoes may be a good idea. Crocs make for great shoes for slipping in and out of!
Red Hills Hot Spring Etiquette
Wear Clothing // It is illegal to soak in hot springs in Utah without clothes on. You obviously don’t have to be covered from head to toe, but do be sure to wear a swim suit.
Limit Soaking Time to 30 Minutes // We don’t mean this if you’re by yourself at the hot spring. If that’s the case, soak all stinking day! If there are people waiting to soak in any of the three tubs, limit your soaking time to 30 minutes to allow others to enjoy the hot spring as well.
Respect Others Soaking // Nix the loud music and party attitude. If there are other people there enjoying the hot spring, be respectful of them wanting to soak in nature. Loud music, obnoxious people, and partying isn’t cool at hot springs.
Don’t Use the Bathroom in the Springs // I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but seriously don’t do it. After hearing people at other hot springs talk about going 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! There is a pit toilet right at the hot spring. Get out and use it.
Can I Have Pets at Red Hill Hot Spring?
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!?
Jason got attacked by two dogs when he walked out of the bathroom at Red Hills Hot Spring. He did nothing, and they just charged at him.
As a pet owner, please keep in mind, not all people are “dog” people and want your dogs all up in their business! And even if your dog “doesn’t normally” or “has never done this before” they may just get spooked at attack people. Keep it on a leash or in the car.
Camping Near Red Hills Hot Springs
Camping at Red Hills Hot Spring is illegal, as it’s technically a city run park. They make it very clear that no camping is allowed AT Red Hills Hot Spring.
However, don’t worry, there’s BLM land right next store, and that’s all yours to camp on.
Just before the parking lot, there’s a big no camping sign on the right of the road, to the left there is a road. That road is gold.. it leads to free BLM camping!
While it’s kind of hard to tell what the city maintains and not, without there being actual boundaries in the area, if you pay attention to the road it’s pretty obvious. The BLM roads are a bit more rocky and not as maintained as the city roads. Once it’s bumpy and harder to drive on, you should be in the clear to camp.
We shared the area with two other vans, both having dogs, while we have a cat.. and we were all really spread out and there was still plenty of room. There’s a big open area literally directly across the parking lot / hot springs that you can drive up to and stay at.. again, accessing this area from the road heading left just before the parking lot.
A Couple of Extra Notes on Red Hills Hot Spring
Full disclosure here, we did not feel very welcome to camp or even be at the hot springs in our van. We were notified that we weren’t allowed to park where we did at 10:00 am, but it was in a very rude way. The guy didn’t even know if we actually camped there or just parked there for the day. So that was a bit annoying, and his aggressive, “I own this place” attitude, didn’t make us feel very comfortable. Be sure you just go where we directed, actually down the road, and be confident in your decision!
That same person was the one cleaning up the hot spring area, and even though we were helping him throw away trash, and thanking him for keeping this place beautiful, he was still a bit entitled and seemed pissed that we were there. Oh, and even more pissed that we were taking pictures and video of the place… Telling us to not share it with the internet.
Well, here we are, sharing it with you. It’s a city park that’s too good not to share. With that said, refrain from geotagging this location on social media. It gets spread way to rapidly that way and then often gets ruined by people just visited to get a shot.
Remember to be respectful and kind at Red Hill Hot Spring. It is open for all to enjoy for free, and we want to keep it that way.