Fifth Water Hot Springs, Diamond Fork Canyon, Wasatch–Cache National Forest, Utah

Visiting Fifth Water Hot Springs Near Salt Lake City, Utah

Visiting Fifth Water Hot Springs Near Salt Lake City, Utah was originally published in 2024

Renowned for its stunning milky blue hue waters in winter and vibrant turquoise-emerald shades throughout the remainder of the year, Fifth Water Hot Springs is nestled in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Utah boasts numerous hot springs across the state, but Fifth Water Hot Springs stands out for its striking blue waters, picturesque waterfall, red rock surroundings, and scenic hike.

Conveniently located in Diamond Fork Canyon, about 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, Fifth Water Hot Springs makes for a perfect day trip from the city.

Those coming from Provo will have a quicker transit to Fifth Water Hot Springs Trailhead at 40 minutes.

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How to Get to the Fifth Water Hot Springs Trailhead

There is parking at the Three Forks Trailhead, with a restroom.

Note that beginning May 1, 2024, there will be fees charged for parking at the Three Forks Trailhead as follows:

3 day pass: $10
7 day pass: $20

In the summer, especially on weekends, the parking lot can be full. If this is the case, continue back onto the road and drive about 0.5 miles beyond to find more parking.

During winter, the final 1-2 miles of the road to the trailhead may be closed. If this happens, park at the gate closure and walk the additional 20-30 minutes along the road to reach the Three Forks Trailhead.

To check if the road to the trailhead for Fifth Water Hot Springs is open, check the Diamond Fork/Fifth Water Hot Springs Facebook page or call 801-798-3571.

The Hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs

Distance
4.5 miles roundtrip

Elevation gain
640 feet

Beginning from the Three Forks Trailhead, Fifth Water Hot Springs is a 4.5 mile out-and-back hike.

The trail is easy to follow over the course of its 2.25 miles, starting at an elevation of 5,530 feet and going up to 6,170 feet when you reach Fifth Water Hot Springs.

Starting from the Three Forks Trailhead, follow the left side of Sixth Water Creek for about one mile. Do not cross the first footbridge you come to, stay hiking on the designated trail.

Once you have reached one mile from the trailhead, you will come to a second footbridge that you will want to cross over.

From the footbridge you crossed, continue trekking and after about one mile you should start to smell the scent of sulfur permeating the air.

This is the stench of Fifth Water Hot Springs. You will start to notice that the water in the creek will be a much brighter blue color, indicating that the hot springs are close.

Not too much further and the first hot spring pools will come into view and toward the upper stretches of Fifth Water Hot Springs, you will see the waterfall and many other pools.

The first time I went to Fifth Water Hot Springs it was Labor Day weekend, so as you can imagine it was quite busy. We first walked to the top of the waterfall and got in there to discover that the water up there was cold.

We went back down to join the masses in the hot pools. Some of the pools and stretches of the creek are scalding hot while others are just merely lukewarm, so I would recommend sticking a hand or a foot in before jumping all the way in to test their temperatures.

The Best Time to Visit Fifth Water Hot Springs

Regardless of the season, Fifth Water Hot Springs offers a delightful day hike for a soak in its mineral-rich waters.

Summer: The summer months are bustling at Fifth Water, attracting tourists and locals seeking outdoor adventures in the warm weather. Despite the higher temperatures, the elevation ensures comfortable hiking conditions. Longer daylight hours make this season the busiest.

Fall: Fall is a great time to visit Fifth Water Hot Springs as temperatures cool down.

Winter: Winter is probably the most spectacular time to visit Fifth Water Hot Springs as snow blankets the valley’s surroundings, creating a picturesque setting for milky blue hot spring waters. One thing to note is that road closures due to inclement weather are not too unusual in the area, which could make your trek a bit longer or possibly shelve your plans for another time.

Spring: Spring offers pleasant temperatures for hiking, but you may find the path to be a bit sloppy and muddy from snow melt or if there are recent rains.

Tips for Visiting Fifth Water Hot Springs

Go on a weekday or during the off-season: To dodge the crowds, consider visiting Fifth Water Hot Springs during fall, spring, or winter. Summer is the most popular, however, weekdays are less busy than weekends. Holiday weekends can be quite busy.

Pack water shoes or sandals with you: While not an absolute must, water shoes can make tromping around in the hot springs a bit easier as the rocks can be quite slippery and others can be sharp.

Bring drinking water: Bring plenty of water for your hike and soak. You don’t want to drink water from the hot springs due to bacteria and algae.