Fifth Water Hot Springs is the most-hiked free wild hot springs in Utah and one of the most consistently photographed in the Mountain West. The springs sit in Diamond Fork Canyon, a side canyon off Spanish Fork Canyon east of Provo, on Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest land. Geothermal water emerges as a hot waterfall at the head of a series of natural pools and cascades down Fifth Water Creek, which is a tributary of the Diamond Fork River.
The trail is a key part of the experience. The 2.3-mile one-way Three Forks trail follows the creek upstream from the trailhead parking, climbing 636 feet of elevation through Diamond Fork Canyon. Most hikers take 2 to 2.5 hours round trip including soak time. The trail passes three scenic waterfalls along Fifth Water Creek before reaching the soaking pools just below the first waterfall, where the hot mineral water meets the cooler creek.
Pool temperatures rise as you climb. The lower pools, easiest to reach, sit at around 100 F. The middle pools step up to 105 F. The hottest pools near the source can hit 108 F and visitors should test the water before entering. The pool shapes are informal and visitors regularly rebuild them with rocks; the USFS permits this informal maintenance as long as it doesn't damage the streambed.
Practical issues drive most visit failures. The dirt access road to the trailhead (Diamond Fork Road from US-6) can be muddy or snow-covered in winter and shoulder season; high-clearance vehicles are recommended. The trailhead parking lot is small and fills early on weekends; on summer Saturdays plan to arrive by 8 AM or expect to wait. The sulfur smell is noticeable and some visitors find it off-putting. Officially, USFS rules require swimsuits; in practice the upper pools host clothing-optional culture and visitors should be prepared for both. Pack out everything including food waste; the site is heavily trafficked and trash is an ongoing problem.
