Blue Lake Spring

Tooele County, Utah · Near Wendover
40.5020°N, 114.0380°W · 4,260 ft
84°F 39°F air · Good soaking weather 4,260 ft Restricted Short Walk SDNR
Aerial view of the ground around Blue Lake Spring

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Blue Lake is a geothermal pond in Tooele County, south of Wendover, and this entry is the warm spring that feeds it. The water is warm, on the cool side for a soak. The record marks access as restricted and the land as a state conservation area under the Division of Wildlife Resources, while Wikipedia describes the lake itself as publicly reachable wetlands managed by the BLM inside an Air Force range.

Location

From the nearest road it is a few hundred feet on foot. The surrounding country is flat desert a shade above four thousand feet, very dry at about seven inches of rain, with light winter snow. Wikipedia puts the lake on the Utah Test and Training Range. There is no campground on record.

Winter is the season listed. The record says restricted access while the Wikipedia article calls the wetlands public, so confirm current rules with the state wildlife office before driving out from Wendover. The chemistry sample dates from 1977. Fifteen miles is the distance from town on record.

History of Blue Lake Spring

Wikipedia describes Blue Lake as a large geothermal pond about 16 miles south of Wendover, roughly nine acres and sixty feet deep, lying within the Utah Test and Training Range controlled by the United States Air Force. The lake and the wetlands around it are described as publicly accessible and managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

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

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

Heat Below
73 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 8% 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
27°
Jan
34°
Feb
45°
Mar
52°
Apr
61°
May
74°
Jun
82°
Jul
80°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
40°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 7.3 in Annual Snow: 12.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 84°F · +57° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 84°F · +56° contrast
February Air 34°F · Water 84°F · +50° contrast
January offers 55°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
39°F
Clear E 16.6 mph 48% Good soaking weather
Today 79° Low 56° Partly Sunny
Spring is +5° warmer
Wednesday 85° Low 61° Sunny 4% precip
Thursday 85° Low 57° Sunny 2% precip
Friday 80° Low 55° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +4° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 55° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +4° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1977-10-05

The water at Blue Lake Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5). 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 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 130 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 56 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,600 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 250 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2,500 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Temperature
84°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 84°F (29°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +30°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Restricted
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 381 ft
Land
Ownership State
Agency SDNR
Designation State Conservation Area
Unit Utah State Department of Wildlife Resources 131
Manager SFW
Protection 2 - Permanent protection, some use allowed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Blue Lake Spring?
Blue Lake Spring has a water temperature of 84°F (29°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Blue Lake Spring located?
Blue Lake Spring is located in Tooele County, Utah at 4,260 feet elevation, near Wendover. Coordinates: 40.5020°N, 114.0380°W.
How do I get to Blue Lake Spring?
Blue Lake Spring has Short Walk road access (381 ft from the road).
Is Blue Lake Spring free to visit?
Blue Lake Spring has Restricted access. It is managed by SDNR.
What minerals are in the water at Blue Lake Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia