Camp Williams

Salt Lake County, Utah · Near Bluffdale
40.4580°N, 111.9290°W · 4,460 ft
70°F 4,460 ft Closed Short Walk DESG Camping nearby (13.5 mi)

Camp Williams is a tepid thermal point inside a National Guard training area in Salt Lake County, barely a mile from Bluffdale. Public access is closed. The water on file is cool anyway, nothing anyone would drive out to soak in even if the gate stood open. The listing calls it a short walk, but that only matters with permission to be on the base. A photo is on file.

Location

The spring lies about a fifth of a mile off 1300 West, inside the military reservation that carries the same name. Land designation is military. Valley elevation on the Wasatch Front, where winters deliver roughly four feet of snow and the year brings a moderate amount of rain.

Do not plan a trip around this one. Access is closed and the ground is a training area. The nearest listed camping is Little Mill, around thirteen and a half miles away. The chemistry figures come from a water sample taken in April 1966, which is as current as anything on record here.

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 Camp Williams.

Aerial view of the ground around Camp Williams LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Camp Williams
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.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the west.
Highest ground nearby
123 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, 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 43% 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
32°
Feb
41°
Mar
48°
Apr
58°
May
72°
Jun
80°
Jul
78°
Aug
68°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.6 in Annual Snow: 49.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 70°F · +43° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 70°F · +42° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 70°F · +38° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Clear WSW 16.6 mph
Tuesday 84° Low 52° Partly Sunny 11% precip
Wednesday 82° Low 60° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 65% precip
Thursday 82° Low 62° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 39% precip
Friday 78° Low 58° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 13% precip
Saturday 78° Low 53° Sunny 4% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1966-04-08

The water at Camp Williams is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7) with 373 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 63 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 25 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sulfate 30 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 57 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Little Mill 13.5 mi away

Overview Little Mill Campground is located in American Fork Canyon on the banks of American Fork Creek. This popular campground is a great place to escape the hot summer days while hiking or fishing.Recreation American Fork Creek is a favorite among fly-fisherman. The creek is stocked with rainbow trout. The 20-mile paved Alpine Loop Scenic Byway passes the campground, traveling through alpine canyons, mountain meadows, aspen groves and pine forests, providing breathtaking views of the Was...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +18°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Closed
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road 1300 West
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation MIL
Unit National Guard Military Training Area-L Camp Williams
Manager Department of Defense
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Camp Williams?
Camp Williams has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Camp Williams located?
Camp Williams is located in Salt Lake County, Utah at 4,460 feet elevation, near Bluffdale. Coordinates: 40.4580°N, 111.9290°W.
How do I get to Camp Williams?
Camp Williams has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being 1300 West (0.2 mi from the road).
Is Camp Williams free to visit?
Camp Williams has Closed access. It is managed by DESG.
Can I camp near Camp Williams?
Yes, Little Mill is located nearby (13.5 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Camp Williams?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 373 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS