Hot springs near Salt Lake City.
Decide whether you want a timed float inside a limestone dome, developed mineral pools in Honeyville or a farther Idaho pool outing. The Crater, Crystal and Bear River offer distinct settings and admission arrangements. Seasonal slides are not the same as year-round hot-pool access, and a one-hour appointment does not necessarily mean an hour in the water.
Planning sources checked · Admission dates shown per venue · How we research
3 different ways to soak
Selected options from our current directory, not an exhaustive list or an open-today guarantee. Distances are approximate straight lines from the city overview centre; they are not driving distances. Unverified pins have no numeric distance.
Scroll or swipe across the table to compare the admission and booking details.
| Place & distance | Why choose it? | Admission & reservations |
|---|---|---|
| The Crater at HomesteadUtah · Thermal pools≈27 mi / 43 kmStraight line, not driving | A timed mineral-water float inside the Midway dome The operator now publishes a USD 30 one-hour session, with approximately 40 minutes in the water. A provided life vest is mandatory. Book ahead for limited space, and schedule a package soak separately from the hotel room. Renovation closure is announced for April and May 2027. | Paid entry USD 30 for a one-hour soak/swim session. The operator FAQ specifies approximately 40 minutes in the water. Tax inclusion is not stated; other activities and packages are separate. Advance booking strongly recommended; walk-ins depend on available space. Arrival, photos & venue sources → |
| Crystal Hot SpringsUtah · Thermal pools≈63 mi / 102 kmStraight line, not driving | Developed mineral pools with separate slide and group products The operator lists daily entry, concession categories and an additional slide charge. Family-night and group offers have their own limits and times. Check the actual product rather than assuming every visitor receives a discounted group rate. | Paid entry Daily entry USD 18; seniors, military and college students USD 15; ages three and under free. Confirm with operator Arrival, photos & venue sources → |
| Bear River Hot SpringsIdaho · Resorts & spas≈97 mi / 156 kmStraight line, not driving | A farther Idaho alternative with seasonal facilities The operator currently marks the slides and Olympic pool closed for winter while describing year-round hot-pool options. This is a more distant alternative, not a nearby Salt Lake neighbourhood stop. Check the fall hours and which pools suit your group before travel. | Paid entryFacility restrictions Pools and slides admission: USD 15 ages 3–60; USD 13 ages 61+ and military; ages 0–2 free. Confirm directly with the operator. Arrival, photos & venue sources → |
Make the plan fit the place.
Choose the water experience first
At the Crater, a scheduled hour contains approximately 40 minutes in the water, and everyone wears a provided life vest. Crystal uses a developed-pool admission model with separate slide charges and specific promotions. Bear River currently separates its hot-pool offering from winter-closed slides and Olympic pool. Compare usable facilities and session terms rather than a single headline price.
homesteadmidwayutah.com · 1 ↗ · crystalhotsprings.net · 2 ↗ · bearriverhotsprings.com · 3 ↗
Plan the correct direction and season
Midway, Honeyville and Bear River are alternative destinations from Salt Lake City, not a suggested short circular route. Inspect actual road routes and weather for the intended date. The Crater has a specific April–May 2027 renovation notice; Bear River posts seasonal pool restrictions. Neither notice should be generalized to every geothermal venue in Utah or Idaho.
homesteadmidwayutah.com · 1 ↗ · bearriverhotsprings.com · 2 ↗
Before booking or setting off
Check the exact bath, total ticket cost, age policy and current operating notice. Map positions are venue overviews, not surveyed entrances. No driving time is estimated here. Follow official directions for the final road or trail approach.
Questions before you go.
How much is a soak at the Crater?
The operator page checked October 21, 2026 publishes USD 30 for a one-hour session. Its FAQ clarifies approximately 40 minutes of in-water time. Taxes and activity upgrades are not established by that headline amount; confirm the selected booking.
Source: homesteadmidwayutah.com ↗
Do children need life vests at the Crater?
Everyone entering the water must wear a provided life vest, including adults. Children are welcome with adult supervision; individual activities such as introductory scuba have additional age requirements.
Source: homesteadmidwayutah.com ↗
Are Bear River’s slides open in winter?
The current operator page marks slides and the Olympic pool closed for winter. Its hot-pool descriptions have a different seasonal arrangement. Check the current hours and exact pools before making the longer trip.
Source: bearriverhotsprings.com ↗
Sources behind this city guide.
Planning review: 2026-10-21. Venue admission checks retain their own dates above; a new city page does not refresh an older tariff automatically. Natural-pool conditions and availability can change after a check.
- homesteadmidwayutah.com · /adventures/crater/ ↗
- www.crystalhotsprings.net · /swimmingprices/ ↗
- www.bearriverhotsprings.com · /swim-admission ↗
City overview centre: Photon / OpenStreetMap. Each venue page explains its coordinate evidence and precision.