Joseph Hot Springs

Sevier County, Utah · Near Monroe
38.6130°N, 112.2020°W · 5,480 ft
147°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 5,480 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (13.4 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 147°F, the source water at Joseph Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Aerial view of the ground around Joseph Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Joseph 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.

Joseph Hot Springs is a scalding spring in Sevier County, about four and a half miles from Monroe. The water is well above what skin can tolerate. Who owns it and whether the public can visit are not on file. Iron is among the minerals measured, and the overall mineral load is heavy.

Location

A walk of about four tenths of a mile from Vaca Lane. The spring sits around 5,500 feet. Winters are snowy, with about five feet falling in an average year, and precipitation is moderate. The record names no land manager.

Winter is listed as the best season. Scalding water: do not get in at the source, and keep children and dogs well back. Adelaide Campground is about thirteen miles away. Access is unrecorded, so confirm before you go. The temperature dates to a 1987 reading. No photo 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 Joseph Hot Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
355 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
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
178 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 98% 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
28°
Jan
31°
Feb
39°
Mar
47°
Apr
57°
May
72°
Jun
77°
Jul
75°
Aug
67°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 16.2 in Annual Snow: 61.9 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 28°F · Water 147°F · +119° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 147°F · +119° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 147°F · +116° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
46°F
Mostly Clear 8.3 mph 71% Good soaking weather
Today 85° Low 57° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 15% precip
Spring is +62° warmer
Wednesday 84° Low 57° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 21% precip
Spring is +63° warmer
Thursday 83° Low 53° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 21% precip
Spring is +64° warmer
Friday 82° Low 51° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 10% precip
Spring is +65° warmer
Saturday 81° Low 51° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 10% precip
Spring is +66° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1987-11-06

The water at Joseph Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0) with 5120 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 8.0 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 140 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 37 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,600 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 1,300 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1,600 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 30 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Adelaide Campground 13.4 mi away

Overview Adelaide Campground is located in Corn Creek Canyon on the south end of the Pahvant Mountain Range near Kanosh, Utah.Recreation Corn Creek offers brown and rainbow trout fishing. Hiking and biking trails begin nearby, and the Paiute ATV trail can be easily accessed from the site.Facilities The campground offers 1 group site which can accommodate 48 guests and up to 15 vehicles. 9 individual sites are also available. These sites can accommodate 6 to 8 guests and 2 vehicles. All of th...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,480 ft

Joseph Hot Springs sits at 5,480 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 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
147°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 147°F (64°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +96°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Vaca Lane
Distance to Road 0.4 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Joseph Hot Springs?
Joseph Hot Springs has a water temperature of 147°F (64°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Joseph Hot Springs located?
Joseph Hot Springs is located in Sevier County, Utah at 5,480 feet elevation, near Monroe. Coordinates: 38.6130°N, 112.2020°W.
How do I get to Joseph Hot Springs?
Joseph Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Vaca Lane (0.4 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Joseph Hot Springs?
Yes, Adelaide Campground is located nearby (13.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Joseph Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.0 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 5,120 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Joseph Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Joseph Hot Springs reaches 147°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS