Saratoga Hot Springs

Utah County, Utah · Near Saratoga Springs
40.3500°N, 111.9050°W · 4,510 ft
111°F 52°F air · Good soaking weather 4,510 ft Roadside Camping nearby (14.0 mi)

Saratoga Hot Springs in Utah County sits within a mile of the town of Saratoga Springs. The water is hot, a few degrees past the point where most people want to get in. A 1966 sample found it fairly mineralized, with sodium and chloride prominent. Who owns the ground and if the public may use it are not on file, and the history says this was resort property for over a century.

Location

South Saratoga Drive passes within about eighty feet, so this is a drive-up spot on the edge of a growing town. Elevation is around forty-five hundred feet, valley floor for this part of Utah. Winter snow runs a bit over three feet in an average year and the climate is dry by most standards. No land is on record.

Midwinter is the season the record favors. Access is roadside but no public access is on record, so check before you treat it as open. The water is hot enough to scald if you linger at the source, so test it carefully. Little Mill is the campground on record, about fourteen miles out. The chemistry is sixty years old.

History of Saratoga Hot Springs

The spring was the basis of Beck's Saratoga Springs, also called Beck's Saratoga Hot Springs or Saratoga Resort, which operated on the north shore of Utah Lake from 1882 until 1993. The town of Saratoga Springs now covers the site.

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 Saratoga Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Saratoga Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Saratoga 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
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
19 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
121 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 73% 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
50°
Apr
60°
May
73°
Jun
82°
Jul
80°
Aug
70°
Sep
55°
Oct
41°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 15.4 in Annual Snow: 39.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 111°F · +84° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 111°F · +82° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 111°F · +79° contrast
January offers 55°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
52°F
Clear SE 12.4 mph 54% Good soaking weather
Today 84° Low 57° Partly Sunny 14% precip
Spring is +27° warmer
Wednesday 82° Low 59° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 72% precip
Spring is +29° warmer
Thursday 81° Low 56° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 36% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Friday 78° Low 51° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Spring is +33° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 52° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +33° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1966-03-24

The water at Saratoga Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) with 1490 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 sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 190 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 68 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 214 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 451 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 350 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Little Mill 14.0 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
111°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 111°F (44°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +58°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road South Saratoga Drive
Distance to Road 83 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Saratoga Hot Springs?
Saratoga Hot Springs has a water temperature of 111°F (44°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Saratoga Hot Springs located?
Saratoga Hot Springs is located in Utah County, Utah at 4,510 feet elevation, near Saratoga Springs. Coordinates: 40.3500°N, 111.9050°W.
How do I get to Saratoga Hot Springs?
Saratoga Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being South Saratoga Drive (83 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Saratoga Hot Springs?
Yes, Little Mill is located nearby (14.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Saratoga Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 1,490 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Saratoga Hot Springs?
With care. At 111°F Saratoga 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, Wikipedia