Hiking Diamond Fork (Fifth Water) Hot Springs

Wasatch Front

Overview

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RATING: Easy Hiking

LENGTH: 2-4+ Hours depending on how long you soak. (4.5 miles)

MAPS: Rays Valley, UT

Sun

38 | 32

Mon

40 | 20

Tue

40 | 28

Wed

35 | 26

Thu

33 | 19

View Full Weather Details

SEASON: Year around, although getting to the trailhead after heavy snow can be problematic. Fall, winter, and spring are likely the best times to visit.

GEAR: Water, towel, sandals are nice once you get to the hot springs. Bug spray in the summers.

Sun

38 | 32

Mon

40 | 20

Tue

40 | 28

Wed

35 | 26

Thu

33 | 19

View Full Weather Details

hike

fall colors

dog friendly

family friendly

hot springs

access: 2wd

Hot Springs Falls

Diamond Fork Hot Springs

Diamond Fork Hot Spring, or Fifth Water Hot Spring, as it is also known by is a great outing in the Wasatch Front. Access requires a 2.5 mile hike each way, but the reward is a fabulous natural hot spring in a very forested and beautiful setting. Temperatures of the pools can range up to 108 F, with several great soaking pools in a variety of cooler temps. The upper pools are the hottest.

Diamond Fork Hot Spring is a prime choice for a winter excursion. The trail is usually well packed, but ice gripping treads can be useful. Snowshoes are only needed right after a heavy snow before the trail has been packed down by traffic.

Note: Diamond Fork/Fifth Hot Spring is a great place to visit, but some careless visitors are leaving trash around. Please bring a small bag and pick up some of it on your way out.

Getting There

From Spanish Fork, take Highway 6 to mile marker 184.1 (about 11 miles from Spanish Fork) Here, go north on the paved/signed road Diamond Fork. Follow this road 10 miles to the trailhead on the right. The trailhead is well signed and easy to find. In the winter, this road can be snow packed and require a 4-wheel drive, but under most conditions, it is accessible to all. The trailhead has a pit toilet and map but does not allow camping.

Route

From the trailhead, follow the well-marked and well-traveled trail as it meanders up the left-hand side of the stream. About 1/2 way to the falls, the trail crosses a bridge over the stream and begins its final ascent up the smaller Fifth Creek.

You will likely smell the sulfur from the hot springs before you see them. There are several small pools built in the area of the springs. All have different temperatures. The lower ones are cooler while the ones right below the falls are the hottest. There are also some just above the falls.

Diamond Fork is a popular place to visit, especially on weekends.