Meadow Hot Springs, Utah, A Hidden Gem Worth the Pothole-Filled Drive

Okay, real talk first: Utah might be our favorite state in the country. Jake and I keep saying it and the more time we spend out there the more it becomes true. Northern Utah and southern Utah feel like two completely different countries stitched together, alpine peaks, aspen groves, snow and dog sledding up north, and red rock, slot canyons, pink sand dunes, and surreal desert in the south. Wildlife, hidden gems, world-class national parks, and tiny middle-of-nowhere spots that feel like a secret. You honestly have everything you need in one state.

Meadow Hot Springs is one of those middle-of-nowhere spots. And it's exactly the kind of adventure we love.

What Meadow Hot Springs actually is

Meadow Hot Springs is a system of three natural geothermal pools tucked into an open pasture south of Fillmore, Utah, near the tiny town of Meadow. The biggest pool, the one in our hero photo, is the showstopper: deep, crystal-clear, around 100°F, with a wide rocky ledge you can sit on and a steep drop-off in the middle that disappears into deep blue. The other two pools are smaller and shallower but still beautiful in their own way.

Here's the part you need to understand before you go: you are on private property. The landowner has historically allowed the public to soak here for free, which is incredibly generous and exactly why we have to be on our best behavior. This isn't illegal, it isn't sketchy, but it absolutely depends on every single visitor treating the land like a guest in someone's home. Pack out everything. Leave no trace. If you see trash, grab it. Don't be the reason it gets shut down.

How to get there (and what your car needs)

Plug Meadow Hot Springs into Google Maps, it'll route you there. GPS coordinates if you want to drop a pin: roughly 38.8646° N, 112.5033° W.

From I-15, you'll exit near the town of Meadow and turn onto a dirt road that takes you about 4-5 miles west into the pasture. And this is the warning every blog should give you and most don't say loudly enough: that dirt road is rough. Big potholes, washboard ruts, the kind of road that will rattle every bolt in a low-clearance car. When we went, we saw people who had pulled over way before the parking area and were walking the rest of the way in because their car just couldn't handle it.

If you have a higher-clearance SUV, truck, or 4x4, you're fine, just go slow. If you're in a sedan or a rental crossover, drive it carefully or plan to park and walk. Either way, do not show up in a Corvette and expect to make it to the pool.

When to go (and why morning is the move)

We went early in the morning and had the big pool almost entirely to ourselves for the first stretch. About 15 minutes after we got in, two more people showed up. Then a few more. By the time we left, it was busy. So yes, Meadow used to be more of a hidden gem and it really isn't anymore. The word is out (we know, we're part of the problem writing this).

Our honest advice: go as early as you can drag yourself out of bed. Sunrise, just-after-sunrise, whatever. You'll get the calm water, the steam coming off the surface, the best light for photos, and the smallest crowd. Late evening would also be less crowded than midday, but in our experience the evening soakers were the bigger group, and midday in summer is the busiest of all.

The springs are open year-round and stay around 100°F regardless of the season, so a winter visit is genuinely magical if you don't mind a cold walk to and from the car.

What to bring (the stuff we actually used)

- Water shoes. Non-negotiable for us. The rocks inside and around the pool are coated in slick moss and algae, and we watched multiple people slip going in and out. Having grip on our feet kept everyone safer and made it way easier to enjoy the deeper sections.

- A towel and a change of clothes, there are no facilities. No bathrooms, no changing rooms, no rinse-off shower. What you bring is what you get.

- Water and snacks. The nearest anything is back in Fillmore. Plan accordingly.

- A trash bag. Pack out yours and grab a few extras while you're there.

- Sun protection. There's zero shade. The desert sun is no joke even when the water is keeping you cool.

- A reef-safe rinse plan. Avoid lotions, sunscreens, and oils right before you get in, they end up in the water and on the rocks and they're hard on a small natural pool.

A note on the people you'll meet

One of the unexpected joys of Meadow was the people. We ended up chatting with travelers from out of the country, Utah locals who'd been coming for years, and a couple of families who, like us, were doing the slow road trip thing. Soaking in 100°F water under an enormous Utah sky next to strangers from three different continents is a weirdly perfect way to spend a morning. Even when the crowd showed up, it was a good crowd.

Other Utah hot springs worth knowing about

If you're building a Utah hot springs trip, Meadow doesn't have to be the only stop. Two more we'd point you to:

Homestead Crater (Midway, UT)

About 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City, the Homestead Crater is a 55-foot tall beehive-shaped limestone dome with a 65-foot deep geothermal pool inside it. You walk through a tunnel into the center of the crater and soak in 90-96°F water under a natural skylight at the top. It's one of the only warm-water scuba diving spots in the continental U.S., and you can also snorkel, paddleboard, or just float. Reservations required, and you'll want to book ahead, this place fills up fast, especially in winter. It is absolutely worth it. Completely different vibe from Meadow: indoor, dramatic, almost theatrical. Find them at homesteadresort.com.

Zion Canyon Hot Springs (La Verkin, UT)

If you're already heading to Zion, Zion Canyon Hot Springs in La Verkin is right at the gateway. This one is a proper hot springs resort, geothermal mineral pools at varying temperatures, cold plunges, lounging areas, a swim-up bar, the whole experience. Stunning red rock backdrop and beautiful sunset views. Day passes available, and they also offer cabanas if you want to splurge. A great way to recover after a long hike in Zion. More info at zioncanyonhotsprings.com.

Three completely different ways to experience a hot spring in one state, wild and rustic at Meadow, dramatic and unique at Homestead Crater, polished and relaxing at Zion Canyon. Pretty much sums up Utah.

Would we go back to Meadow?

In a heartbeat. The drive is its own little adventure, the pool is genuinely one of the prettiest natural soaks we've ever been in, and there's something about being out in the middle of that pasture, miles from anywhere, that resets your whole nervous system. Just please, go early, take your trash with you, respect the land, and keep this place open for the next family who's been dreaming about it.

Planning more Utah?

We've written about sandboarding the Coral Pink dunes at sunset in southern Utah and dog sledding through aspen groves up north, both worth adding if you want the full top-to-bottom Utah experience. More coming, including Zion. Follow along on Instagram @the.ventureseekers so you don't miss it. See you out there.

-Brittany, The Venture Seekers