Fifth Water Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Warning Forest Service: harmful bacteria that can cause rashes may be present in the springs
From the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Fifth Water Hot Springs is a $10 wild soak in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Utah, about 41 minutes' drive from Provo: 123 F water at the source, a 2.23-mile walk from Three Forks Trailhead, snow likely November to April.
- $10
- Wild
- Walk 2.23 mi
about 41 min
28.4 mi from Provo, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 123 F at the source, not the pool
"one seep was measured at 123˚F ... pools ranging between 98 to 109˚F"
Quoted from geology.utah.gov, checked Oct 12, 2026 - Walk
- 2.23 miles one way from Three Forks TrailheadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 40.08422, -111.35475
- Fee
"Day use fees: $10 per vehicle per three day; $20 per vehicle per seven day; $60 per vehicle per season. We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026- Permit or reservation
"We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Passes. Please have your pass on display while parked."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026- Clothing
- Being publicly nude is prohibited on a national forest only when an order says so; the regulation lists it among the things a forest order can prohibit. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Dogs
- At Forest Service developed recreation sites, an animal other than a service animal must be crated, caged, on a leash of 6 feet or less, or otherwise under physical restrictive control, and may not be brought into a swimming area. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Snow
- Likely November to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Three Forks Trailhead
The Forest Service says:
"Beginning at Three Forks, you cross a foot bridge and follow Sixth Water Creek for a pleasant, shaded, 1.1 miles. ... the largest of which are located 1.5 miles up Fifth Water Creek, where a cold waterfall meets the hot bubbling springs."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Distance
- 2.23 mile one wayComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Climb
- About 620 ft up and 10 ft down, one wayComputed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 27 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
- Start
- Three Forks Trailhead40.08422, -111.35475
Water temperature
123 F at the source, from Utah Geological Survey post on Diamond Fork (Fifth Water) Hot Springs. That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.
"one seep was measured at 123˚F ... pools ranging between 98 to 109˚F"
Quoted from geology.utah.gov, checked Oct 12, 2026
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Fifth Water Hot Springs?
Yes.
"Day use fees: $10 per vehicle per three day; $20 per vehicle per seven day; $60 per vehicle per season. We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
Do you need a permit or reservation for Fifth Water Hot Springs?
"We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Passes. Please have your pass on display while parked."
Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Seasons and winter access
Snow likely November to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.
Before you go
- Fee: Day use fees: $10 per vehicle per three day; $20 per vehicle per seven day; $60 per vehicle per season. We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes.
- We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Passes. Please have your pass on display while parked.
- Snow likely November to April.
- Forest Service: harmful bacteria that can cause rashes may be present in the springs
- Check Forest Service alerts, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, Three Forks Trailhead, not at the pool.
Nearby hot springs (5)
Questions
Is Fifth Water Hot Springs free?
"Day use fees: $10 per vehicle per three day; $20 per vehicle per seven day; $60 per vehicle per season. We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 12, 2026
How long is the hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs?
Is Fifth Water Hot Springs clothing optional?
Can I bring my dog?
Do you need a permit or reservation?
"We honor all Interagency "America the Beautiful" National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes, and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Passes. Please have your pass on display while parked."Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Sources and last checked
Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).
- geology.utah.gov/tag/fifth-water: water temperatureChecked Oct 12, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/r04/uinta-wasatch-cache/recreation/three-forks-trailhead-0: fee, permit or reservationChecked Oct 12, 2026 and Oct 14, 2026
- fs.usda.gov/r04/uinta-wasatch-cache/recreation/trails/fifth-water-t...: trailChecked Oct 14, 2026
- Walk: 2.23 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 40.08422, -111.35475Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from Provo, Salt Lake City, Park City: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Snow months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
- Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026
- Photo: The Dye Clan, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0Checked by eye Oct 12, 2026