An Olympic-size hot spring pool, a shallow soaking pool with a cave for the kids to explore, hot spring waterfalls for a delightful multi-temperature massage, 365-feet hydro tube water slides, and all of this packing more minerals than you can count – this is Crystal Hot Springs outside Honeyville, Utah.
| Address | 8215 N Highway 38, Honeyville, UT 84314 |
| Location | Honeyville, Utah |
| Open | Mon-Thurs 12 pm – 10 pm, Fri-Sat 12 pm – 11 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm |
| Clothing | A must. Going nude is illegal in Utah |
| Road Access | Easy. All vehicles |
| Water Temperature | 85 – 115°F |
| Admission | From $18 |
What To Expect
Crystal Hot Springs is a family resort in northern Utah offering three mineral hot tubs, a large soaking pool, and an Olympic-size hot spring pool, all around 2-7 feet deep, along with three waterfalls of differing temperatures and two warm water tube slides for all ages. The hot springs are set on beautiful grounds that boast trees, ponds, and a lovely view of the colorful mountains.
Crystal Hot Springs claims to have the highest mineral content hot spring in the world (46,000 mg/L) – with pretty much everything in there except sulfur, so you’ll come out smelling as sweet as when you went in, and your bones, muscles, and mental health will have absorbed some goodness to take home with you. This water flows up from 8,000 feet below ground from a source that is estimated to be around 22,000 years old. The pool bases are reddish in color and have some build-up of minerals due to the iron and calcium in the water – it’s perfectly safe, and is definitely healthy!
While the source comes in at 120 – 134°F, the temperatures of the hot pools range from 85 degrees to 115°F. And when the heat gets too much for you, you can cool off in the cold hot spring of 65 – 75°F. In fact, Crystal Hot Springs is said to boast the second closest cold and hot springs located together in the world.
What we particularly love, considering how busy this resort tends to be, is the water flow which keeps the pools so clean and chock full of mineral goodness. The hot tubs turnover every 30 minutes with totally new water, the large soaking pool turns over in an hour, and the Olympic pool around four hours. The hot tubs and soaking pool are drained and sprayed clean each night, while the Olympic pool is drained and refilled on Thursday and Sunday evenings.
As the owners say:
“All of our mineral pools have a constant flow to them, keeping the water in the pools fresh. Each pool has its own pipes carrying hot and cold spring water into the pools. Once the water has been in the pools, it is released into the pond at the far side of the park, eventually going into the Bear River and tripling its mineral content.”
Kids will particularly enjoy the safe “Crystal Cavern” pool to sit, walk and splash in, and with a cave to explore. The soaker pool offers three different temperature waterfalls- one fed by the cold spring, one with mixed cold-and-hot spring water, and the third close to source temperature – head there for a water massage if you can bear it! The soaker pool has in-built benches around the edges so you can sit comfortably during your soak.
Crystal also has a hot springs pond for catch-and-release fishing, if you enjoy such activities.
There is a campground onsite for tents and RVs, and the cost of your overnight stay includes soaking in the pools (though the water slides cost extra).
The large stone reception lodge has a hall displaying photos, telling the story and history of the place (see below for more on that), and sells a wide selection of snacks.
This hot springs is pet friendly, but dogs must be leashed and are not allowed in or near the pools.
A Note On Those Slides
The water slides are open year-round but at select times of the day. The water in the tubes is not actually hot springs mineral water, as this would result in a build-up of minerals that would damage the infrastructure. However, the water used to wash you down the slide is heated by the hot springs source via copper tubing. The mineral water is also used to heat the stairway for full comfort year-round, sun or snow.
Prices – General
| All ages 3+ (swim only) | $18* |
| + slides | +$2* |
| Under 2s | FREE |
Prices – Wednesday Night Family Night (4 pm – 10 pm)
| Family up to 6 persons (swim only) | $36* |
| Per additional person (swim only) | +$6* |
| Family up to 6 persons (swim + slide) | $41* |
| Per additional person (swim + slide) | +$7* |
Waterslide Hours
Mon-Thurs 4 pm – 9.50 pm, Friday 4 pm – 10.50 pm, Saturday 10 am – 12.50 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 7.50 pm. Extreme weather conditions may lead to changes.
Olympic Pool Hours
Tuesday and Wednesday 4 pm – 9.50 pm, Friday 4 pm – 10.50 pm, Saturday 12 pm – 10.50 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 7.50 pm. Closed Mondays and Thursdays. Extreme weather conditions may lead to changes.
Special seasonal opening times apply. Check here before you go.
Interesting History
According to Dr. Steve Simms; Professor of Anthropology and Archaeology at Utah State University, the valley where the springs is located was once home to more than 450 generations of Native American families.
Crystal Hot Springs, originally named Madsen Hot Springs, was established as a business in 1901. Its first springs pool was housed in a large building until 1937 when it burnt to the ground. During the early 1900s, nobody owned their own bathing suits, and a ticket to the hot springs indoor pool included a bathing suit rental.
From 1940, the pool was left open-air and a lodge was built next to it to welcome guests.
President Roosevelt, a hot springs enthusiast, started a rehabilitation program for soldiers wounded during World War II. Many were sent to hot springs for rehabilitation, including Crystal Hot Springs, over a three-year period.
How To Get There
From Salt Lake City, Utah take the I-15 N for around an hour (68.8 miles). Take Exit 372 and turn east into Honeyville. Drive along the UT-240 E until you hit the UT-38 N, turn left, and you’ll see Crystal Hot Springs on your left some 2 miles up the road.
From Boise, Idaho, you’ll need to drive just under four hours on the I-84 E via Bliss and Burley, to Honeyville. Take Exit 372 and turn east into Honeyville. Drive along the UT-240 E until you hit the UT-38 N, turn left, and you’ll see Crystal Hot Springs on your left some two miles up the road.
Can I Stay There?
No. Though some blogs claim Crystal Hot Springs has a campground, this was discontinued in 2020.
Why not head southeast to the beautiful Box Elder Campground near Mantua Reservoir, a forested area in a pretty mountain valley 5 miles from Brigham City? It makes a great spot to stay for those who enjoy fishing, boating, fishing, and hiking. The campground offers family and group sites, flush toilets, a fire pit, campfire rings, a picnic table, and drinking water. Access roads and parking are gravel. Box Elder Creek flows through the site.
If you’d rather stay in a hotel, top of our list in nearby Honeyville is Windy Poplars Cottage, boasting stunning views and a spacious natural interior, and in Tremonton, we like the clean and tasteful Golden Spike Stable Getaway. Find more hotel options nearby here.
What Else Is There To Do In The Area?
The Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge contains around 80,000 acres of marsh and alkali mudflats. The Refuge is an excellent place to see some wildlife by driving along the 12-mile auto tour route.
Go on a farm tour at Enchanted Hollow Alpacas in Elwood, 6 miles north – guaranteed to delight all family members.
Go hiking to Box Elder Peak, the highest summit in the 14-mile-long range of the Wellsville Mountains.
One hour and seven minutes east of Crystal Hot Springs is the popular “Spiral Jetty” in Corinne, an earthwork sculpture made in April 1970 by renowned American sculptor Robert Smithson.
Also well worth a visit is the Golden Spike Historic Site.
Love hot-springing? Want more? Elsewhere in Utah, you’ve got Mystic Hot Springs resort for literal bathtubs with desert views, and the primitive but stunning Red Hill Hot Springs. Can you stand the 150°F “Lobster Pot,” we wonder? North, in Idaho, you have the family-fun Downata Hot Springs and Lava Hot Springs resorts. We’re constantly updating, so come back to our site again and type “Utah” into the search bar for more state soaking.
The Takeaway
A fun and family-friendly water park packed with minerals and with plenty of pools for all tastes and demands, Crystal Hot Springs is worth a visit any time of year.
The Dos And Don’ts Of Visiting A Hot Springs
Every hot springs has its own quirks. Visitors to Crystal Hot Springs, for example, should be ready for crowds and all the noise and discomfort that can bring, but balance that with the number of minerals you’re soaking up! For more general and very important “hot springs etiquette,” we highly recommend you take a moment to check out our carefully compiled easy-to-read list of “dos and don’ts” here. And always, always respect our nature – pack out what you pack in and LEAVE NO TRACE.
Frequently Asked Questions
8215 N Highway 38, Honeyville, Utah
Current opening times are Mon-Thurs 12 pm – 10 pm, Fri-Sat 12 pm – 11 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 8 pm.
The Crystal Hot Springs water contains the highest mineral content in the world. Check out the benefits of those minerals here (scroll down that page for the details).
One pool (with the water slides) does. The other pools are all-natural and are drained and cleaned each night. The Olympic-size pool is cleaned and refilled twice a week.
46,000 mg/L
The pools at Crystal Hot Springs range in temperature from 85 – 115°F. There is also a cold spring pool there at 65-75°F.
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!
