Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs

Box Elder County, Utah · Near Honeyville
41.6590°N, 112.0870°W · 4,268 ft
129°F 66°F air · Good soaking weather 4,268 ft Roadside Camping nearby (13.7 mi)

Crystal Hot Springs, also recorded as Madsens, is a hot spring in Box Elder County a mile and a half from Honeyville. The water is hot enough to hurt. Its other claim is salt: the dissolved solids reading is enormous, very salty water by any measure. Ownership and public access are not in the listing. A photo is.

Location
11 miles from Brigham City, UT

The spring is about fourteen feet from the nearest road, as close to roadside as they come. It sits on the valley floor of northern Utah. Winters bring three and a half feet of snow and the valley gets moderate rain. The chemistry sample is recent, from March 2022.

Winter months are listed as best. At this temperature do not get in without testing; the source water can burn skin. Box Elder Campground is about fourteen miles away. Because access and ownership are blank on file, find out who controls the site before you visit.

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 Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs
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
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
198 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
149 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 93% 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
25°
Jan
30°
Feb
40°
Mar
47°
Apr
57°
May
69°
Jun
78°
Jul
76°
Aug
65°
Sep
50°
Oct
38°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 17.7 in Annual Snow: 43.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 25°F · Water 129°F · +104° contrast
December Air 26°F · Water 129°F · +103° contrast
February Air 30°F · Water 129°F · +99° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
66°F
Clear 8.1 mph Good soaking weather
Tuesday 79° Low 44° Partly Sunny
Spring is +50° warmer
Wednesday 83° Low 51° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny 16% precip
Spring is +46° warmer
Thursday 80° Low 56° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 63% precip
Spring is +49° warmer
Friday 77° Low 51° Sunny 10% precip
Spring is +52° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 46° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +51° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2022-03-28

The water at Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3) with 40700 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 7.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 778 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 178 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 14,600 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 362 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 24,400 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 355 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Box Elder Campground 13.7 mi away

Overview Box Elder Campground is situated next to the town of Mantua and Mantua Reservoir in a pretty mountain valley just 5 miles from Brigham City, Utah. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring area trails.  Please click here for a corrected map of Box Elder Campground. Recreation Mantua Reservoir is just one mile away, offering fishing, boating, canoeing and swimming. Horseback riding and hiking on local trails are also popular activities.Facilities Box Elder contains four group sit...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
129°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 129°F (54°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +79°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 14 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs?
Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs has a water temperature of 129°F (54°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs located?
Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs is located in Box Elder County, Utah at 4,268 feet elevation, near Honeyville. Coordinates: 41.6590°N, 112.0870°W.
How do I get to Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs?
Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs has Roadside road access (14 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs?
Yes, Box Elder Campground is located nearby (13.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.3 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 40,700 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs?
With care. At 129°F Crystal (Madsens) Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS