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  4. I checked out a natural hot spring in Utah that was like an enormous private hot tub. It's a must-visit for anyone coming to the state.

I checked out a natural hot spring in Utah that was like an enormous private hot tub. It's a must-visit for anyone coming to the state.

Monica Humphries   

I checked out a natural hot spring in Utah that was like an enormous private hot tub. It's a must-visit for anyone coming to the state.
Insider's author spent a morning at the only warm diving destination in the continental US, Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah.Monica Humphries/Insider
  • Homestead Crater is the only warm scuba diving destination in the continental US.
  • Located in Midway, Utah, I spent a morning diving into the 65-foot-deep hot spring.

After hiking through red sandstone arches, stargazing between tall pinnacles, and sweating under the desert sun in Moab, Utah, a dip in a crater seemed like a refreshing respite.

After hiking through red sandstone arches, stargazing between tall pinnacles, and sweating under the desert sun in Moab, Utah, a dip in a crater seemed like a refreshing respite.
People climb rocks at the windows section of Arches National Park.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Three-and-a-half hours away from Moab is Midway, Utah. It's known as a European-like escape with mountains reminiscent of the Alps, Swiss-inspired architecture, and quaint chateaus. It's also home to the Homestead Crater.

Three-and-a-half hours away from Moab is Midway, Utah. It
A view of homes in Midway, Utah.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Homestead Crater is a geothermal hot spring that's popular for diving and snorkeling. In fact, it's the only warm scuba diving spot in the continental US, and its waters hover around 95 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, according to the crater's website.

Homestead Crater is a geothermal hot spring that
The interior of the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The Homestead Resort, which is where the hot springs are located, states that the hot springs formed more than 10,000 years ago when snow from the nearby Wasatch Mountains seeped into the earth. The water heated and rose back to the surface where it deposited minerals that formed a volcano-shaped dome.

The Homestead Resort, which is where the hot springs are located, states that the hot springs formed more than 10,000 years ago when snow from the nearby Wasatch Mountains seeped into the earth. The water heated and rose back to the surface where it deposited minerals that formed a volcano-shaped dome.
A view of the Wasatch Mountains from Midway, Utah.      Monica Humphries/Insider

This process created a 65-foot-deep spring that's shaped like an hourglass with no caves or tunnels, according to the springs' website.

This process created a 65-foot-deep spring that
A wide-view of the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I opted to dive, which cost $90 for the entrance into the springs, scuba diving gear, and my diving partner. Homestead Crater requires divers to have a buddy. Since I was traveling solo, I paid extra for one of the site's guides to dive with me. If I had just snorkeled, it would've cost $18.

I opted to dive, which cost $90 for the entrance into the springs, scuba diving gear, and my diving partner. Homestead Crater requires divers to have a buddy. Since I was traveling solo, I paid extra for one of the site
The entrance to the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

When I arrived one morning in May, I initially thought the beehive-shaped crater was unassuming. It's housed within a limestone dome that is coated with dirt and grass and wasn't nearly as large as I imagined it would be.

When I arrived one morning in May, I initially thought the beehive-shaped crater was unassuming. It
Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was the first visitor of the day, so the entrance — a big metal door pocketed into the rock — was still locked. A few minutes later, Dave, my diving partner for the morning, arrived with a key.

I was the first visitor of the day, so the entrance — a big metal door pocketed into the rock — was still locked. A few minutes later, Dave, my diving partner for the morning, arrived with a key.
My dive partner walks into the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I stepped into a tight hallway and immediately noticed a wet rock smell. Tiny changing rooms filled one wall. On the other side were rows of life jackets, buoyancy control devices, tanks, and snorkels.

I stepped into a tight hallway and immediately noticed a wet rock smell. Tiny changing rooms filled one wall. On the other side were rows of life jackets, buoyancy control devices, tanks, and snorkels.
Gear filled the tunnel to the hot spring.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The end of the hallway opened up to a large, domed pool.

The end of the hallway opened up to a large, domed pool.
The end of the tunnel opens up to blue, warm waters.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The water glowed underneath from the sunlight, which beamed through a small opening at the top of the dome. Since Dave and I were the first ones at the springs, the only sound was water dripping and echoing throughout the space. The light, sound, and smell created a peaceful environment, I thought.

The water glowed underneath from the sunlight, which beamed through a small opening at the top of the dome. Since Dave and I were the first ones at the springs, the only sound was water dripping and echoing throughout the space. The light, sound, and smell created a peaceful environment, I thought.
A view of the empty Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

We geared up for our dive. I typically grab a wet suit to stay warm when I dive, but Dave reassured me that one wasn't necessary thanks to the springs' warm waters.

We geared up for our dive. I typically grab a wet suit to stay warm when I dive, but Dave reassured me that one wasn
The author tests which size buoyancy control device fits her best.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I strapped on my scuba gear and jumped in. As warm water enveloped my body, we sank and swam circles around the limestone walls.

I strapped on my scuba gear and jumped in. As warm water enveloped my body, we sank and swam circles around the limestone walls.
Scuba diving gear sits on the edge of the deck in the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Dave said aquatic animals don't live in the hot springs, so instead of searching for wildlife, I scanned the sandy floor for man-made treasures. Dave spotted a fake gem that likely fell off a bathing suit. Using a flashlight, I investigated an old wagon wheel, which according to Sport Diver, was likely left by a settler at a time when the crater was used for trash.

Dave said aquatic animals don
A shot of bubbles underwater. (Homestead Crater not pictured.)      nudiblue/Getty Images

Source: Sport Diver

About an hour later, we headed back up toward the bright light coming through the dome's hole. As we broke the surface, the quiet, calm springs had turned into a bustling hub of excitement.

About an hour later, we headed back up toward the bright light coming through the dome
The hole at the top of Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

The once-empty pool was now filled with visitors. A group was working toward their dive certification, while families donned snorkel gear and life jackets.

The once-empty pool was now filled with visitors. A group was working toward their dive certification, while families donned snorkel gear and life jackets.
A wide-view of the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

After our dive, Dave offered me a life jacket at no extra cost and told me I could float in the hot tub-like pool for as long as I liked.

After our dive, Dave offered me a life jacket at no extra cost and told me I could float in the hot tub-like pool for as long as I liked.
People float and swim in the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

Half an hour later, I wrapped up my visit. I thought my morning in the springs was magical. Dave equated diving in the Homestead Crater to therapy. Even after diving in the springs four times a week for two decades, he said he hasn't gotten bored.

Half an hour later, I wrapped up my visit. I thought my morning in the springs was magical. Dave equated diving in the Homestead Crater to therapy. Even after diving in the springs four times a week for two decades, he said he hasn
The author's diving gear at the edge of the crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I was surprised to discover such a large hot spring in the heart of Utah. Homestead Crater was just what I needed after long days of hiking.

I was surprised to discover such a large hot spring in the heart of Utah. Homestead Crater was just what I needed after long days of hiking.
The author at the empty Homestead Crater before her dive.      Monica Humphries/Insider

As I packed up my bags, I thought $90 was a fair price to check off this bucket-list dive.

As I packed up my bags, I thought $90 was a fair price to check off this bucket-list dive.
The gear desk at the Homestead Crater.      Monica Humphries/Insider

I'll happily return. I might not dive again since there wasn't much to see beneath the surface, but I'm itching to join one of the springs' stand-up paddleboard classes.

I
A group does yoga on paddleboards in the Homestead Crater.      EyesWideOpen/Getty Images

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