“awesome hike to several waterfalls & hot springs”
Three scenic waterfalls and some very nice hot springs are located along Fifth Water Creek, which is a tributary to the Diamond Fork River, east of Spanish Fork. You can reach the springs and waterfalls from the Three Forks Trailhead in Diamond Fork Canyon, or from the Rays Valley Trailhead (located on the Rays Valley Road north of Hwy 6). The hot springs are very popular and draw crowds on weekends during warm weather. Several soaking pools are available. The water is clear and you can vary its temperature by positioning yourself at different points in the pools, and by regulating the water flows into the pools. Warning: some individuals choose to soak nude in the pools. That is against the law, but it is common to see nude people here. The lower waterfall comes right down next to the main soaking pool. The second (counting up from the bottom) is a photogenic multi-tiered waterfall that is worth searching out. A third waterfall exists further up the stream. During winter, snow is usually well packed and you can usually hike to the hot pools without snowshoes. You will need a four-wheel-drive vehicle to reach the trailhead. Three Forks Trailhead To get to the trailhead, drive Hwy 6 east from Spanish Fork for about 11 miles to the signed Diamond Fork turnoff. Follow the Diamond Fork road about 10 miles to the signed trailhead. From the trailhead, cross the small Diamond Fork River and then follow the obvious trail east into the canyon. The trail is wide and well-maintained. It follows along the north side of Sixth Water Creek. Bridge and Fork The stream and trail fork about a mile above the trailhead. Cross Sixth Water on the bridge and then take the trail on the right, which follows the much smaller Fifth Water Creek. Again, you'll be on the north side of the creek and will be hiking east. Main Waterfall The main pools are right below the first waterfall, which you can't miss as you hike the trail. You'll start to smell sulfur as you approach the area. The hot water does contain sulfur, but otherwise is clear and pleasant. Second Waterfall A second, higher waterfall is located just a short way above the first. This one is the most photogenic. There are two very nice soaking pools along the stream between the first and second waterfall. Rays Valley Trailhead You can also reach the waterfalls and hot pools by hiking down Fifth Water Creek from the Rays Valley Trailhead. To reach this trailhead from Spanish Fork, drive east on Hwy 6 for about 22.5 miles. At that point take a paved road that heads north. It is signed for Sheep Creek/Strawberry Reservoir. Follow that road for about 14 miles to the obvious trailhead. (The trailhead is usually signed but vandals sometimes tear down the sign). From the trailhead, follow the obvious trail southwest into the deepening canyon. Fifth Water Creek crosses Rays Valley Road next to the trailhead, but it may not have flowing water during some seasons. As you hike, the stream will soon pick up water. The trail just follows the stream down to the waterfalls and hot pools. The main pools are about 2.5 miles from this trailhead. The trail is easy and well-maintained.
The trails are closed until further notice :(
Overcrowded, filled with smokers and drinkers, a guy had a gun and was waving it all around, impossible to park at. Not pretty. Don’t waste your time
The Diamond Fork Hot Springs trailhead is located about an hour drive from downtown Salt Lake, with the last 10 miles being on a well-maintained dirt road.
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. The trail is very easy to follow with the first half hugging the left side of Sixth Water Creek.
Just over one mile in, you reach a foot bridge that crosses Sixth Water Creek. Here you go over the bridge and continue up the left side of a smaller tributary called Fifth Water Creek. Soon, you’ll start getting the occasional whiff of sulfur as you approach the springs. The water also begins to turn a cobalt-like blue, a sign that you are close.
Continue traveling up until you reach a series of gorgeous and obvious soaking pools. It took approximately one hour to get from the trailhead to the springs, and the variety of water colors ranged from a milky blue to a translucent green. Temperature varies from pool to pool.
My favorite hot pots around! The hike is beautiful and offers the perfect reward when you get to the spring.
Didn’t get to venture over to this because it is currently closed to restore the water from heavy contamination 😢
If you find the right parking area it has an outhouse and the trail entrance is clearly marked.
It’s a long hike to the falls but worth it if you have time. Bring water.
Weather can change rapidly - I was caught in thunderstorms on both visits in late July. Weather can change rapidly so plan accordingly.
I was there on a weekday so not too crowded.
Really nice hike along the river upto the hot springs which is around 4miles round trip. The only downside is you may come across large groups of people which can make it crowded at certain times of the day!
Definitely worth a look :)
Went here last night after dark and did not realize how long of a hike it was. Took about an hour at a brisk walk. Made it to the first waterfall (I think) and the water was warmish. It was very dark out and we were not sure how much further it was to walk so we called it a night and headed back to the van to sleep. Plan to walk at least an hour and bring water with you for the walk. Up and down sections, not too steep and easy enough to walk in sandals/crocs, just be prepared for the hike if you go around dusk. Lots of people walking the trail at midnight though and the parking lot was packed until 4am when people started leaving. You can also camp along the trail as we saw some hikers/backpackers doing with tents or just sleeping bags. Worth the visit but should have come during the day to really see the beauty.
Neat hike and hot spring. There are several pools to choose from. We came here on our way down to Moab and camped at a near by campground which was also very nice. The whole area back there was really neat. It looked like there was also some climbing and maybe other outdoor activities here too. It was last spring when we went and I think it was a Saturday because there were a lot of families and boy scout troops. I would advise a weekday for this reason. Other than it being busy, it was a great find and the hot springs were fun.
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Diamond Fork Hot Spring
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