Fifty-five feet below a limestone, beehive-shaped dome, sits a mineral-rich geothermal spring that stays around 95 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The Utah Crater is a unique, natural wonder where visitors can swim, soak, snorkel, and even scuba dive. 

THE HISTORY

The crater has been around for over 10,000 years, formed from melting snow that flowed from the Wasatch Mountains. The snow is heated from a source two miles below the earth’s surface and the water rises to create this crater hot spring within its hollowed out core. As the water travels up through the cracks and rock sediment, there is an influx of carbon dioxide that heats the water.

Located on the beautiful Homestead Resort property, the crater is an integral part of the hotel’s history. Swiss settlers first discovered the crater’s mineral spring pool in 1886. The original hotel was host to Swiss settlers, miners, and travelers who would bathe and soak away their aches and pains from the hard day's work.

It wasn't until 1996 that the crater was opened for public use. This was also when many projects were completed on the crater to make it more easily accessible to visitors.

AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT

The 110-foot tunnel, where visitors enter to enjoy the therapeutic water, took three months to complete. The floor of the crater contains 10,000 years of history in its layers. Thousands of coins, bottles, marbles, and other interesting artifacts have been gathered at the bottom of the 65-foot deep spring. Learn more about the geology here.

WATER FUN

The crater is the perfect place for scuba diving in this land-locked desert landscape. It’s a very unique experience for anyone looking to train or become scuba-certified. Many visitors enter the crater to enjoy soaking and swimming in the therapeutic water. Others come to get scuba-certified in the only warm-water destination in the lower 48 states.

Dr. Simons, an experienced scuba instructor said, “there exists no other warm-water scuba site as unique as The Utah Crater in the interior of the United States, and possibly the world, where divers also have the amenities of a resort with lodging, excellent food, and other recreational activities.” 

For those looking to experience something even more unique, you can book a standup paddle board yoga session atop the water. It's a fun, challenging way to experience the wellness of a guided yoga practice inside the humid setting of the crater. And, if you lose your balance, you dip into the warm mineral water for a fun splash during the one-hour yoga experience. If you are interested in enjoying the Utah Crater hot spring, reserve a time during your next visit to Heber Valley. No matter the season, the crater is open. Book your experience online.