Fifth Water Hot Springs Utah: Everything You Need to Know

Looking for details on the Fifth water hot springs hike in Utah? This guide covers everything you need to know before you go, including trail difficulty, parking, tips, and what to expect.

If you want to explore one of Utah’s most popular trails, Fifth Water Hot Springs is a must-do and is a local favorite!

📍 QUICK HIKE DETAILS

• 📍 Location: Down Spanish fork Canyon at Diamond Fork Canyon
• 🥾 Distance: 5 Miles Round Trip
• ⛰️ Difficulty: Moderate
• ⏱️ Time: 3-4 Hours
• 🐶 Dogs Allowed: Yes
• 👶 Kid-Friendly: Yes – Ages 12+ (read info below)
• 🚻 Bathrooms: Yes at trailhead
• 💵 Cost: Free
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Spring / Summer / Fall (But you can go anytime, the hike may be longer due to the canyon closing for winter.
  

Where Is Fifth Water Hot Springs Located?

You can get to fifth water hot springs by going through Spanish Fork Canyon. There is a split off in Spanish Fork Canyon that will take you to Diamond Fork Canyon. There will be a trailhead off the road that says “Three Forks Trailhead”. Turn into that parking lot and you will see the trailhead.

What to Expect when hiking Fifth Water Hot Springs

This hike isn’t “easy”, you will gain 600+ feet of elevation and there will be parts where you’re on the side of the drop-off. For the most part, the trail is flat and slowly gains elevation until you get closer to the end. You’ll be climbing more, and some parts of the trail are thin and next to a drop off that goes into the river. You’ll know you’re getting close to the springs once you smell the sulfur.

Speaking of sulfur, you will smell like rotten eggs after swimming in the springs. The springs consist of 5 pools with beautiful blue water. Each pool had a slightly different temperature, so be sure to find one that suits you. The higher up you go, the hotter they tend to be.

Is Fifth Water Hot Springs Kid Friendly?

It depends on how old your kids are and how experienced they are at hiking. If my kids were experienced hikers, you could probably take them around 10 years old. If not I’d wait until they are 12+. The hike has some parts that, as a parent, I would get nervous having my kid on. I definitely wouldn’t recommend if you have toddlers.

If you’re hiking with kids, make sure to bring lots of water, and keep a close eye on them once you get to the areas with drop-offs next to the trail. Another note, sometimes there are nudist that swim here. If that is not something you want your kids to see, I’d look into hiking somewhere else.

What should you bring to Fifth Diamond Hot Springs?

1. Lots of water (the hot springs will dehydrate you)
2. Hiking Shoes (I just use tennis shoes and they did just fine)
3. Snacks
4. Towel
5. Swimming Suit (or wear it under your clothes)
6. Sunscreen

Tips before going to Fifth Water Hot Springs:

1. There are nudists that come here, keep that in mind if you’re bringing children with you.
2. Bring a towel! Hiking back down the mountain while soaking wet isn’t fun (trust me)
3. There is shade for most of the trail, but none covering the springs themselves.
4. If you hike there in the winter, you will be hiking an extra 1-2 miles just to get to the trailhead.
5. It may be crowded – most people go at night to see the stars (and swim nude), so if you like less crowds, I’d recommend going in the morning.

NEARBY THINGS TO DO

Make it a full adventure! Here are other things to do near Fifth Water Hot Springs:

• Activity – The Devils Kitchen on the Nebo Loop
• Food – Glades Drive in – Spanish Fork
• Another Hike – The Grotto hike in Payson Canyon

Or check out our 50+ Things to do in Utah, to find your next adventure!

Final thoughts about Fifth Water Hot Springs

This hike is a local favorite, it’s rewarding, and beautiful with the blue water. Be sure to pack enough water, and to be careful if you decide to bring your kids on the trail. It is a dog friendly trail, so clean up after your dog (and yourself) and enjoy the hot springs!

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Need more help finding the trail?

Check out all trails app! This is a great way to get a detailed map of the trail, as well as how to get there. You can check it out here.