Meadow Hot Springs, Utah: Pools, Access & What to Expect

What makes Meadow Hot Springs worth the detour off I-15

The draw is depth and visibility. The main pool sits over a geothermal vent, and divers and freedivers travel here specifically to drop into clear water that reaches about 60 feet. For a casual soaker, that translates into a pool where you can float in warm water and watch the bottom fall away beneath you. Children need close supervision because the drop-off is immediate, not gradual.

The setting adds a lot for very little effort. The pools sit in the middle of a broad meadow with mountain views and no development around them, and the walk from the parking area is short. On a clear night the lack of nearby light makes this a strong spot for an evening soak under the stars. Bring a headlamp if you plan to stay past sunset, since the route back to the car crosses open ground.

It also fits neatly into a longer itinerary. Fillmore is the nearest service town, the springs are a short hop from Exit 158, and the whole stop takes an hour or two rather than a full day. That makes it a natural break between Salt Lake City and the national parks further south.

Where Meadow Hot Springs sits: nearest town, exit, and coordinates

The springs lie near the town of Meadow in Millard County, west of I-15 and north of Fillmore. Coming from Salt Lake City, the drive runs roughly 140 miles south on I-15 to Exit 158, signed for Meadow. From Fillmore it is a short run north on the interstate to the same exit.

Navigation is straightforward because the pools sit in open country with nothing tall to block the view. The published coordinates are 38.8668, -112.5043, which drop you at the pulloff rather than at the pools themselves. Load those into your map app before you leave the interstate, since cell coverage in the meadow is not something to count on.

Getting there: the dirt-road approach and where to park

From Exit 158, the route follows a frontage road west and then a dirt road south for roughly a mile and a half, bearing left where the track forks. The springs come into view from a small pulloff. In dry weather the road suits most vehicles, though high clearance helps and the surface turns muddy after rain or snowmelt, when it can become impassable.

Another approach from the interstate runs south on I-15 to Exit 158, then onto SR-133 toward Meadow and Kanosh, with a left onto North Main Street and a right at the stop sign that takes you under the freeway. From there a graded dirt road covers about five miles to the parking area, and that stretch is fine for all vehicles.

Park at the lot and walk rather than attempting the last stretch by car. The track beyond the parking area is cut with deep ruts and potholes, and a passenger car that bottoms out out there is a genuine problem in a place with no services. The extra few minutes on foot are the easier trade.

The walk in from the parking area to the pools

Expect a short walk of about a quarter mile from the parking area to the main pool, over flat meadow ground. One account describes a half-mile approach to the soaking pools, so plan for a stroll rather than a hike either way. Sturdy shoes handle the ground fine; flip-flops are a poor choice on the rough, uneven surface near the pool edges.

Because the walk is short, you can carry more than you would on a real hike: a towel, a dry bag, water, and a warm layer for the walk out after a cool-weather soak. There are no services nearby, so everything you need comes with you. Leave the cooler in the car if you are only staying an hour.

The pools: the deep main pool and the two cooler ones

Meadow has three distinct pools. The main one is the deepest and clearest, roughly 60 feet down over the vent. The second and third pools are shallower and noticeably cooler, which is exactly what you want when the meadow is baking in August.

The cooler pools are also where families tend to settle. Shallow water and easier footing make them a more comfortable base for kids, while adults who want the deep, clear water can take turns in the main pool. One of the smaller pools holds fish, so expect the occasional nibble if you sit still long enough.

The main pool has a rope anchored to the bottom, and it is there for a reason. Freedivers and scuba divers bring their own gear to work the depth, and the water goes cold and dark as it drops. Casual soakers should stay near the surface and keep an eye on anyone swimming out over the vent.

Water temperatures across the three pools

Published figures put the water at about 95 to 105°F across the pools. Another description singles out the first pool as bathtub-warm, around 100°F, with the other two running cooler for hot summer days. Treat those as typical readings rather than fixed numbers, since spring-fed pools shift with weather and flow.

Geothermal water comes out of the ground hot, so ease in rather than plunging, and keep your head above the surface in untreated spring water. The vent at the bottom of the main pool is the hottest point and the reason the depth matters. If the main pool feels too warm, the cooler pools are a few steps away.

Rules and etiquette on private land that stays open to the public

Meadow Hot Springs sits on private property, and the landowners allow public access. Glass containers are out, and everything you bring in should leave with you. Those two habits are what keep the gate open.

A donation box at the site collects cash toward upkeep, so bring small bills if you want to contribute. Posted rules apply and are worth reading on arrival. Beyond that, the site runs on the assumption that visitors treat a working ranch meadow like somebody's property, because it is.

Crowds and the best time to soak

Meadow has moved well past hidden-gem status, and weekends draw a crowd. Weekdays are much quieter, and an early morning or evening visit dodges both the press of people and the desert heat of midsummer. Spring and fall give the most comfortable weather for soaking.

Summer afternoons are the least appealing slot: full sun over an open meadow with little shade and warm water in every pool. Winter soaks can be excellent, but the dirt road is the limiting factor when snow or mud sets in. Night soaks work well here thanks to dark skies, so long as you bring a light.

Camping and lodging near Meadow and Fillmore

Fillmore is the closest base for a bed, food, and fuel, and it sits only a short drive from the springs. Staying there lets you soak at either end of the day without committing to the meadow after dark. Camping is listed among the options around Meadow Hot Springs, but the pools sit on private land, so pitch a tent on public ground or at an established campground rather than in the meadow.

For a longer loop, Beaver sits further south on I-15 and makes a good overnight stop with a farm-to-table creamery that turns dairy from neighboring farms into cheese, ice cream, and hot food. It is a sensible dinner stop after an evening soak before continuing south.

What to bring for a meadow soak

Pack water, snacks, sun protection, and a towel, since nothing is sold on site. Water shoes help around the rocky, uneven edges, and a dry bag keeps your phone and keys safe near deep water. A headlamp earns its space if you plan to soak at dusk.

Bring cash for the donation box, and bring a bag for your own trash. In cool weather, a warm layer for the walk back beats shivering across the meadow in a wet swimsuit. Divers and freedivers should bring their own gear rather than expecting rentals.

Nearby springs to combine on a road trip

Fifth Water Hot Springs, also called Diamond Fork Hot Springs, sits up Diamond Fork Canyon east of Spanish Fork and makes a strong second stop on a springs-focused trip. The route runs 2.5 miles to the base of the pools, a gradual climb with about 636 feet of gain. The pools sit in a drainage where snow can close the access road in winter.

Red Hill Hot Springs in Monroe is the other obvious pairing, with a spring that spills from a mineral hill into a chain of four pools that cool as they descend. The top is scalding and fenced off, and the lowest pools are the comfortable ones. The dirt approach is short and graded, passable in a sedan.

Baker Hot Springs, roughly 30 miles northwest of Delta, feeds three small tubs that hold about four adults each, with cold water piped in to temper the scalding source. For a developed alternative, Crystal Hot Springs offers hot and cold pools, mineral tubs, and a swimming pool, and sits about 70 miles north of Salt Lake City.

Leave No Trace at a primitive soak

Meadow is a primitive soak on working private land, so pack out every wrapper, bottle, and bit of food waste, including things that would break down in a wilder setting. Skip glass entirely, keep soap and sunscreen out of the pools, and stay on the worn paths between pools to keep the meadow intact. Access here depends on the landowners' goodwill, and a clean site is the simplest way to keep it.

Plan Your Soak at Meadow Hot Springs

Meadow Hot Springs rewards a simple plan: take Exit 158, drive the graded dirt road to the parking area, walk a few minutes across the meadow, and choose between the deep, clear main pool and the two cooler ones. Go on a weekday or at the edge of the day to dodge the summer crowd, and bring cash, water, and a bag for your trash. If you are building a wider soaking itinerary across state lines, our Wyoming hot springs guide covers the same kind of primitive roadside pools.

The dirt road is the one variable worth watching, since rain, snowmelt, and snow can turn it muddy or worse. Millard County and the landowners are the people to ask about current conditions before you commit. Otherwise, treat the meadow with respect and it will keep welcoming soakers. For every soak in the state, start with our guide to Utah hot springs.