How 2020 is it that right when I am about to publish a blog on the Diamond Fork Hot Springs I find out it’s closed do to COVID-19. So, here is the blog to learn more about this magical place, but before you visit please click this link to find out if it is currently open to the public. I’ve been following travel blogs for years and I’ve had my eyes on the Diamond Fork Hot Springs for quite a long time. I was so excited to finally be able to visit myself and let me tell you, they did not disappoint.
We were here at the end of September and I absolutely loved visiting this time of year. The colors were changing, the crowds were smaller and everything was still open before the snow hit! We were told that these hot springs get pretty busy so prepare for crowds if you are here on the weekend or peak tourism season.
HOW TO GET TO DIAMOND FORK HOT SPRINGS
FYI, when you are starting to research these hot springs you are going to see them called Fifth Water Hot Springs and Diamond Fork Hot Springs. Don’t get confused it just pretty much has two names. At least I think. 🤣 We spoke to a few locals about it and they all had different things to say. One said that the springs were called Diamond Fork but the trail there was called Fifth Water Hot Springs. She said, “It’s been a controversy since I was little on what the real name is, so I just use both.” Well, ok then!
But either way, whether you type in one or the other to Google Maps it will bring you to where you need to go! I typed in Diamond Fork Hot Springs because that’s what the local told me to and Google corrected it to Fifth Water Hot Springs Trail Head. I would assume most people will visit coming from Salt Lake City so see is the map below to see what direction it is from the city.
WHAT TO BRING TO THE HOT SPRINGS
This all depends on when you are visiting. If you are going in the winter I recommend very warm clothes for the hike there and back and good hiking shoes. We wore hiking shoes in September and could have gotten away with tennis shoes but we saw some people in flip flops and I am so glad that wasn’t us!
- Hiking Boots or Tennis Shoes
- Bathing Suit (You will see some nudists but we heard that it is illegal and you can get a ticket for it!)
- Clothes to change into after you have your dip
- Lunch and snacks
- Lightweight towel
We brought some wine and lunch and we were so glad we did because we never wanted to leave. It was so beautiful to enjoy a picnic there. FYI liquor laws in Utah are quite funny so make sure you stock up before the alcohol shops close. We had to drive out of town to the weirdest somewhat hidden liquor store to get some wine! And it was on a Saturday!
THE TRAIL TO DIAMOND FORK HOT SPRINGS
Despite all the research I’d done for this hike we still arrived and had no idea which path to take. What we learned is there are many trails around this area so don’t be turned off by all the cars because not everyone is going to the hot springs, at least they weren’t when we were there.
We were told they were planning to update this sign and the trail but that locals want it to stay a secret so they mess with it at times. Luckily we were behind a group that had been there before so we just followed behind them to the springs! If you visit and there isn’t clear signage, take a look at the picture below. The path on the left (keep the river on your right) is the way to the hot springs. Don’t go to the right over the river as we did. It’s confusing because it says Fifth Water to the right but apparently that is a different path to a much longer hike!
Once you are at the trailhead, it’s a quick 2.5 miles to the hot springs, with a gradual 700 feet of elevation gain. Once you’re on it, the trail is very easy to follow with the first half hugging the left side of Sixth Water Creek. It took us about 45 minutes to get to the trail but my husband insists on walking as fast as we can!
The landscape changes a few times on your trail and it’s so beautiful to see.
Almost half way to the springs (about a mile in) you’ll arrive at a bridge that crosses over the creek. If you’ve got the time, stop for a few minutes and take in these views! The canyon is gorgeous.
Just a few minutes after we crossed the bridge we started to get whiffs of sulphur and knew we were getting close!
This small and beautiful waterfall was our half way point. You’ll start to really smell the sulphur here.
ARRIVING AT DIAMOND FORK HOT SPRINGS
We weren’t here during peak season but we were here on a Saturday so we did expect crowds especially with how many cars were in the parking lot. To our surprise it wasn’t that busy! The best part was about 10 minutes after we arrived a huge group left and we ended up sharing it with about 10 people for 2 hours and then when a giant group showed up we decided it was time to head back. I always try to remind myself I am a tourist and can’t really be annoyed when there are big groups, but with that being said these springs were definitely more enjoyable when there weren’t a ton of people screaming and partying! So just remember to be mindful of other people enjoying the springs when you are here.
I recommend trying out all of the springs, there are many different water levels and temperatures to choose from.
There is even a small waterfall!
The colors of the springs were hard to capture when the sun was out but it’s so cool to see that not only do they have different temperatures they also have different colors! I’ve heard on a cloudy day that the water looks bright milky blue. I’ve seen photos of this, especially in the winter. You can slightly see the beautiful colors in the next few photos.
The fall colors were absolutely stunning!
Thanks for reading along! If you ever have the opportunity I couldn’t recommend visiting the Diamond Fork Hot Springs more. We had a blast on the hike and also soaking in the springs. We met some really nice people here and a few even had connections back to where we live, Traverse City, MI! I can’t wait to go back to Utah soon! Click the link to read more about my adventures in Utah. Have you been to the Diamond Fork Hot Springs?
