Four miles from the popular Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe, Utah, Red Hill Hot Springs offers four glowing red pools chock-full of minerals to soak in. Envelop yourself in golden rocks as you bathe – choose from the burning hot “Lobster Pot” to a pool just above cold, or switch it up and try them all!
This is a well-kept community site, clean, very easy to access, and just the right balance between civilized and wild – a nearby pit toilet, seating areas, a grill and a fire pit are free to use, but you can just as readily turn your back on it all and enjoy the stunning grays, browns and greens of the surrounding hills and canyons.
| Address | Monroe, Utah, 84754 |
| Location | Just off country road 1185, northeast of Monroe |
| Open | 5AM – 10PM |
| Clothing | A must. Going nude is illegal in Utah |
| Road Access | Good. All vehicles. On-site parking |
| Water Temperature | 70°F to 154°F |
| Admission | FREE |
What to expect
Just out of town, this hot springs destination is well-signposted and offers parking seconds away from the springs. Steam rises from pools that sit among shining red-gold rocks worn smooth by centuries of water flow, with the spring water starting out at its boiling hill-top source and running down to shape the rocks and fill the pools, which are naturally cooler in temperature the further away they are. The springs stand brightly out in their gray surrounds, and the views over the Sevier Valley are stunning.
The upper pool closest to the spring is the deepest at around 3 feet of water, and the lower pools have between 1 and 2 feet to comfortably immerse yourself in.
Monroe authorities run and protect the site. As well as installing a pit toilet in the parking lot and offering trash and recycling services, they also come and check the site after hours.
Being so close to town, and so close to the parking lot and toilet/dining areas, the Red Hill Hot Springs make a perfect drop-in or afternoon out for couples, friends, and family alike. Kids are guaranteed to enjoy the cooler of the shallow pools and playing in the red mud…and so will you, come to think of it! Bring along a ball and picnic supplies to really make a day of it.
Make sure to bring plenty of drinking water, as sitting in hot water can dehydrate you just as much as sitting on a sun lounger!
There is also plenty of land in the valley beyond the hot springs to be explored – if you’ve got the gear, head off on foot, or bring your off-roading vehicle for some adventuring.
More about those rocks
The aptly named Red Hill Hot Springs, unlike most other hot springs in Utah, actually supports life, namely thermophiles, so please don’t scramble on the mineral rocks there or damage them. If you want to see the boiling hot (and fenced off) water source, head up the path behind the parking lot that leads to a paved lookout at the top – not only is the view well worth seeing, you’ll find yourself just above the “secret” (and super-hot, around 154°F!) Lobster Pot pool. Test it with a cautious toe before you dare to enter – it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted!
Note that while the water in the pools is clean, the red dirt resulting from centuries of sun-dried minerals WILL mark your clothes, so choose what you wear wisely and pick dark colors (Note that bathing nude is illegal in Utah), and bring towels you won’t mind staining. Also, keep in mind that the wet rocks can be slippery- so be sure to wear the right shoes!
Will it be busy?
Each pool fits four to six people, and water will come up to your chest when you are seated. There are four pools at present, with a fifth being developed between the lower pools and the Lobster Pot.
Due to the warm waters, Red Hill Hot Springs attracts visitors year-round, especially on weekends. Many come having heard about the place after a trip to the better-known Mystic Hot Springs nearer to Monroe. That said, if you get there on a morning during the week, you might end up having the place totally to yourself!
We recommend limiting yourself to around 30-minutes of soak time if there’s a crowd waiting, just so everyone gets a fair turn.
Interesting history
The Indigenous People that used to live in this area were nomads from the Ute, Shoshone and Paiute tribes. They would set up camp on the warm ground near the hot springs, soak in them for warmth, and paint themselves with the red mud to protect their skin.
How to get there
Find Red Hill Hot Springs just outside the town of Monroe. Head north on the E 300 N, aiming for country road 1185. Drive until you see a sign on the right which will direct you some 0.4 miles along a gravel road to the spacious hot springs parking lot. The way is easy to navigate for cars of all clearances, though best drive slow so you don’t kick up a lot of dust on the guy behind you! You can’t miss the hot springs after turning, what with those bright red hill and the steam rising up!
In winter, the road may well be snowed in. Use your discretion.
Can I stay there?
No, you can’t, and there are signs up to remind you of that fact.
There are few hotels to pick from in nearby Monroe, but Richfield, 10 miles out of Monroe, has plenty of options, among them a Comfort Inn and a Ramada by Wyndham.
If you’re RV-ing it, your closest option is the Monroe Canyon RV Park, offering long and wide gravel sites, and all the necessary amenities, and is surrounded by the breathtaking rocky desert landscape. Note that the Park is currently an open space in full sun – the owner Jordan has taken care to plant trees for future shade, but growing them takes time!
Next, nearest is Venture RV Park in Richfield, offering large sites on gravel with freshly tarmacked roads. There’s also a park with a large grassy area and a pickleball/basketball court. Surrounding views are open and inspiring.
Alternatively, grab a whole house in Monroe – for around $140 a night, you can stay in a fully upgraded 4-bed 19th century farmhouse just four miles from the Red Hill Hot Springs (and in walking distance of the busier Mystic Hot Springs). Click here for more info and pictures.
What else can I see in the area?
Monroe is a small town, ideal for the relaxed traveler who is not planning to stay for much more than a day or two. If you can’t get enough of that mineral water, then head over to Monroe’s top attraction – Mystic Hot Springs. Be wowed by nature, with a natural rock arch being one of the most recognizable features. We love the bathtubs fitted into the rocks, making it a fun home-from-home place to soak in the heart of the canyons. The site owners charge $25/2-hour to use them.
Also check out Monroe’s Art Museum, featuring paintings by local artists.
If you’ve got itchy feet, pull on those boots and head out on one of Utah’s many hiking trails near Monroe. Try the scenic Loafer Mountain Trailhead, a 5-mile loop, or the family-friendly 4-mile Tibble Fork Reservoir Trailhead.
The Takeaway
Red Hill Hot Springs offers four small, natural, locally maintained hot spring pools of different temperatures, open all day, year-round. Great for the skin, fun for the kids, and brilliant to combine with a bbq afternoon with friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Easy! From the town of Monroe, head north on the E 300 N, aiming for country road 1185. You’ll see a sign for the hot springs on your right.
Red Hill Hot Springs is just outside the town of Monroe, Utah.
No, it’s clear, but the minerals have stained the rocks red and left red deposits over the years which can get stirred up in the water. These will stain your fabrics, so choose your clothes and towels wisely!
Absolutely. There are four pools that go up in temperature the closer to the hilltop source they are. The “Lobster Pot” at the top can hit 154°F! That said, snow may block up the access road, so use discretion.
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!
