Stinking Hot Springs

Box Elder County, Utah · Near Elwood
41.5780°N, 112.2300°W · 4,261 ft
118°F 66°F air · Good soaking weather 4,261 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (16.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Stinking Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Stinking 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.

Stinking Hot Springs, known locally as Stinky Springs, is a hot and extremely salty spring in Box Elder County, about eight miles from Elwood. The 1989 sample measured dissolved solids at a level closer to seawater than fresh water, with iron in the mix, which explains the name. The water is hot, above body temperature by a wide margin. No owner or access status appears on file.

Location
11 miles from Brigham City, UT

About a tenth of a mile of walking separates the spring from the closest road, which the record leaves unnamed. Wikipedia puts the site near Utah State Route 83 northwest of Corinne and roughly six miles southwest of Bear River City. Elevation is around forty-two hundred feet. Winters bring about thirty inches of snow and the year totals seventeen inches of moisture.

Winter is the season on file. The walk is short. Hot water, so step in slowly and keep children back from the source. Box Elder Campground is sixteen miles off and is the camping listed. Access is not recorded, and the mineral profile means the water will smell and will be hard on any metal you bring near it.

History of Stinking Hot Springs

Stinking Hot Springs is one of four hot springs along the Wasatch Range near the eastern border of Box Elder County, according to Wikipedia. OpenStreetMap carries the same name for 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 Stinking Hot Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
128 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
140 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 89% 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
24°
Jan
31°
Feb
41°
Mar
48°
Apr
58°
May
70°
Jun
79°
Jul
77°
Aug
66°
Sep
51°
Oct
38°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 16.6 in Annual Snow: 30.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 24°F · Water 118°F · +94° contrast
December Air 26°F · Water 118°F · +92° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 118°F · +87° contrast
January offers 55°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
66°F
Clear 8.1 mph Good soaking weather
Today 78° Low 55° Partly Sunny
Spring is +40° warmer
Wednesday 83° Low 58° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny 15% precip
Spring is +35° warmer
Thursday 80° Low 54° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 63% precip
Spring is +38° warmer
Friday 77° Low 50° Sunny 8% precip
Spring is +41° warmer
Saturday 78° Low 50° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +40° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1989-08-01

The water at Stinking Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.3) with 33800 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 6.3 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 820 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 320 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 10,000 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 94 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 19,000 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 3000 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Box Elder Campground 16.0 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
118°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 118°F (48°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +67°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Stinking Hot Springs?
Stinking Hot Springs has a water temperature of 118°F (48°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Stinking Hot Springs located?
Stinking Hot Springs is located in Box Elder County, Utah at 4,261 feet elevation, near Elwood. Coordinates: 41.5780°N, 112.2300°W.
How do I get to Stinking Hot Springs?
Stinking Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Stinking Hot Springs?
Yes, Box Elder Campground is located nearby (16.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Stinking Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.3 (slightly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 33,800 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Stinking Hot Springs?
With care. At 118°F Stinking 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.