Big Maple Spring

Beaver County, Utah · Near Beaver
38.1380°N, 112.8630°W · 6,700 ft
70°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 6,700 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (5.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Big Maple Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Big Maple Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Big Maple Spring is a tepid spring on BLM land in Beaver County, Utah, roughly fifteen miles out from the town of Beaver. The water comes up cooler than a bath, so think of it as a place to see. Public access is open. Nothing on file mentions a built pool or any development, and there is no image of it yet.

Location

The spring sits at about 6,700 feet within the Cedar City Field Office area, high country by Utah standards. Getting there means leaving the car and walking around a third of a mile. Snow piles up in winter, close to four feet in an average year. The rest of the year runs dry.

The listing favors December through February, though that much snowfall makes a winter walk its own question. Hanging Rock Campground is a little over five miles away. No fee is recorded. The temperature was taken in a 1963 survey, so treat it as a rough guide and check conditions before you drive out.

History of Big Maple Spring

The USGS logged this as a thermal site and sampled the water in August of 1963. Nothing else about its past is on file.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Big Maple Spring.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
300 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
97 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 42% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
23°
Jan
26°
Feb
35°
Mar
44°
Apr
54°
May
68°
Jun
73°
Jul
72°
Aug
63°
Sep
49°
Oct
37°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.6 in Annual Snow: 46.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 23°F · Water 70°F · +47° contrast
December Air 24°F · Water 70°F · +47° contrast
February Air 26°F · Water 70°F · +44° contrast
January offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
48°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Today 75° Low 59° Sunny 6% precip
Wednesday 74° Low 59° Mostly Sunny 10% precip
Thursday 74° Low 55° Mostly Sunny 4% precip
Friday 73° Low 53° Sunny 2% precip
Saturday 72° Low 53° Sunny 5% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1963-08-22

The water at Big Maple Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.2) with 268 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.2 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 57 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 7 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 21 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 14 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 30 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Hanging Rock Campground 5.3 mi away

Overview Hanging Rock Campground is located just off of Highway 21 between the towns of Beaver and Minerville, UT. The campground has six campsites all located alongside the scenic Beaver River. Along with the scenery that the river provides, it also offers what many consider to be the best fising in Beaver County. Recreation The Beaver River provides opportunity for year-round fishing. The Paiute ATV Trail and Beaver Bench Mountain Bike Trail System are located just down the road in Beaver,...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,700 ft

Big Maple Spring sits at 6,700 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 27% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +23°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Cedar City Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Big Maple Spring

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Big Maple Spring, Utah.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Big Maple Spring?
Big Maple Spring has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Big Maple Spring located?
Big Maple Spring is located in Beaver County, Utah at 6,700 feet elevation, near Beaver. Coordinates: 38.1380°N, 112.8630°W.
How do I get to Big Maple Spring?
Big Maple Spring has Short Walk road access (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Big Maple Spring free to visit?
Big Maple Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Big Maple Spring?
Yes, Hanging Rock Campground is located nearby (5.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Big Maple Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.2 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 268 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS