Split Mountain Warm Springs

Uintah County, Utah · Near Naples
40.4650°N, 109.2210°W · 4,920 ft
86°F 47°F air · Good soaking weather 4,920 ft Open Hike National Park Service Camping nearby (2.4 mi)

Split Mountain Warm Springs is a warm spring inside Dinosaur National Monument in Uintah County, about fourteen miles from Naples. The water is pleasantly warm, mid eighties, short of a true soak. Land is National Park Service, access listed as open. A 1983 sample showed moderate mineral content, calcium and sodium with sulfate and chloride. Monument rules apply to anything you do here.

Location

This one takes a hike, a bit over two miles from the nearest road. No trail is named and the road is not named either. Elevation is a shade under five thousand feet in dry country, about eleven inches of moisture a year and a little under three feet of snow. Expect the walk to be the main event. A photo is attached.

Winter months are rated best, but plan on the walk either way. Split Mountain Group Campground is close, under three miles from the spring, which makes this one of the easier overnight options in the batch. Access is open. Check current monument regulations on bathing and on group sites before you go. The chemistry dates to 1983.

History of Split Mountain Warm Springs

The spring lies within Dinosaur National Monument, administered by the National Park Service, and the USGS maintains a monitoring record for it.

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 Split Mountain Warm Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Split Mountain Warm Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Split Mountain Warm 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
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
822 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
87 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 26% 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
20°
Jan
26°
Feb
39°
Mar
48°
Apr
59°
May
74°
Jun
80°
Jul
78°
Aug
68°
Sep
51°
Oct
37°
Nov
22°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.9 in Annual Snow: 33.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 20°F · Water 86°F · +66° contrast
December Air 22°F · Water 86°F · +64° contrast
February Air 26°F · Water 86°F · +60° contrast
January offers 60°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
47°F
N 10.8 mph 35% Good soaking weather
Today 74° Low 53° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 35% precip
Spring is +12° warmer
Wednesday 69° Low 54° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 23% precip
Spring is +17° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 52° Rain Showers Likely 57% precip
Spring is +19° warmer
Friday 68° Low 49° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 29% precip
Spring is +18° warmer
Saturday 67° Low 48° Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers 10% precip
Spring is +19° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1983-09-08

The water at Split Mountain Warm Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4) with 938 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 94 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 30 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 180 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 220 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 290 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Split Mountain Group Campground 2.4 mi away

Overview The Split Mountain Group Campground is located along the banks of the Green River at an elevation of 4,800 feet (. The highly eroded Split Mountain towers over the campground. The campground is near Quarry Exhibit Hall, where you can see 149 million year old dinosaur bones still encased in the rock. Adjacent to the campground is the Split Mountain Boat Ramp where river rafters come off the Green River after trips through Dinosaur National Monument's canyons. Recreation Dinosaur Nati...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
86°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 86°F (30°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +36°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 2.1 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Monument
Unit Dinosaur National Monument
Manager National Park Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Split Mountain Warm Springs?
Split Mountain Warm Springs has a water temperature of 86°F (30°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Split Mountain Warm Springs located?
Split Mountain Warm Springs is located in Uintah County, Utah at 4,920 feet elevation, near Naples. Coordinates: 40.4650°N, 109.2210°W.
How do I get to Split Mountain Warm Springs?
Split Mountain Warm Springs has Hike road access (2.1 mi from the road).
Is Split Mountain Warm Springs free to visit?
Split Mountain Warm Springs has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Split Mountain Warm Springs?
Yes, Split Mountain Group Campground is located nearby (2.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Split Mountain Warm Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.4 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 938 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS