Bird Island

Utah County, Utah · Near Benjamin
40.1760°N, 111.8010°W · 4,482 ft
86°F 50°F air · Good soaking weather 4,482 ft Unknown Hike SDNR Camping nearby (13.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Bird Island LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Bird Island
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.

Bird Island is a warm spring at Utah Lake, listed under the state Division of Natural Resources with the lake as the land unit. The nearest town is Benjamin, under seven miles away. Water on file is warm with a slightly acid pH, heavy in dissolved salts, and it carries iron. Public entry is marked unknown.

Location

This one takes a hike, about two miles from the nearest road, across ground the record says belongs to the state. Utah Lake sits at around 4,500 feet and the winters are snowy, close to four feet in an average year, so the approach could be a slog for months. The HOPE campground is roughly 13 miles off.

Winter months top the list on file, though a two-mile walk through a snowy season is its own problem, so check conditions. Access is unknown; call the state first. The 1992 sample is old. No fee is recorded. Nothing on file says what you find at the end of the walk.

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 Bird Island.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
4 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest

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

Heat Below
88 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 27% 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
26°
Jan
31°
Feb
40°
Mar
48°
Apr
59°
May
73°
Jun
80°
Jul
78°
Aug
68°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.9 in Annual Snow: 44.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 26°F · Water 86°F · +60° contrast
December Air 27°F · Water 86°F · +59° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 86°F · +56° contrast
January offers 54°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
50°F
Clear SSE 12.4 mph 58% Good soaking weather
Today 78° Low 62° Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 15% precip
Spring is +8° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 64° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 72% precip
Spring is +9° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 61° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 39% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Friday 73° Low 57° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Saturday 73° Low 57° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1992-10-14

The water at Bird Island is slightly acidic (pH 6.4) with 6240 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

pH 6.4 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 310 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 110 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,700 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 670 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2,700 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 920 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Hope 13.1 mi away

Overview Hope Campground is located near Provo Canyon along Squaw Peak Road at an elevation of 6,500 feet. This primitive site is popular for its close proximity to Orem and Provo, Utah. Countless recreational activities are available in the surrounding area.Recreation Hiking and biking are popular activities near Hope. The Rock Canyon Trail and Squaw Peak Trail both begin nearby. Squaw Peak Road is open to mountain biking as well.Facilities The campground offers several family campsites with...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
86°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 86°F (30°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +34°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 2.1 mi
Land
Ownership State
Agency SDNR
Designation SOTH
Unit Utah Lake
Manager SDNR
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Bird Island?
Bird Island has a water temperature of 86°F (30°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Bird Island located?
Bird Island is located in Utah County, Utah at 4,482 feet elevation, near Benjamin. Coordinates: 40.1760°N, 111.8010°W.
How do I get to Bird Island?
Bird Island has Hike road access (2.1 mi from the road).
Is Bird Island free to visit?
Bird Island has Unknown access. It is managed by SDNR.
Can I camp near Bird Island?
Yes, Hope is located nearby (13.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Bird Island?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.4 (slightly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 6,240 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS