Warm Spring

San Juan County, Utah · Near Blanding
37.7000°N, 110.4210°W · 3,630 ft
79°F 63°F air · Good soaking weather 3,630 ft Open Short Walk National Park Service Camping nearby (13.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Warm Spring
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.

Warm Spring in San Juan County lies inside Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a National Park Service unit, roughly fifty miles from Blanding. The water is warm, below soaking temperature, with a 1963 sample showing a heavy mineral load. Public access is open. The remote position and the federal land are the two facts that shape any visit.

Plan on a mile of walking in from the closest road, an unnamed one as far as the record goes. The land is low canyon country, around thirty-six hundred feet, and very dry, six inches of precipitation most years and only a dusting of snow. The National Park Service manages the ground as part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Winter is the listed season. Starr Springs Campground is the closest on file, about thirteen and a half miles away. The water sample is old and the temperature has no newer check. Park rules apply here since it is NPS land. The walk is a mile each way across dry country.

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 Warm Spring.

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
230 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
93 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 36% 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
37°
Jan
42°
Feb
53°
Mar
61°
Apr
70°
May
84°
Jun
88°
Jul
85°
Aug
77°
Sep
62°
Oct
48°
Nov
37°
Dec
Annual Precip: 6.1 in Annual Snow: 11.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 37°F · Water 79°F · +43° contrast
December Air 37°F · Water 79°F · +42° contrast
February Air 42°F · Water 79°F · +37° contrast
January offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
63°F
Mostly Cloudy N 0.0 mph 39% Good soaking weather
Today 88° Low 67° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 27% precip
Wednesday 85° Low 64° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 32% precip
Thursday 82° Low 63° Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 39% precip
Friday 84° Low 61° Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Sunny 11% precip
Saturday 84° Low 60° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 11% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1963-06-09

The water at Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) with 1880 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 150 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 97 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sulfate 770 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 356 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Starr Springs Campground 13.5 mi away

Elevation 6300 feet. 12 campsites at the southern tip of the Henry Mountains. Scale Mount Hillers, towering above the campground at 10,723 feet or explore the benches and mesas that surround these remote, uplifted highlands. Bring your own water- reliable sources are mighty scarce out here. Information on the resident bison herd.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
79°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 79°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 62°F
Above Ambient +17°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 1.0 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency National Park Service
Designation National Recreation Area
Unit Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Manager National Park Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Warm Spring?
Warm Spring has a water temperature of 79°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Warm Spring located?
Warm Spring is located in San Juan County, Utah at 3,630 feet elevation, near Blanding. Coordinates: 37.7000°N, 110.4210°W.
How do I get to Warm Spring?
Warm Spring has Short Walk road access (1.0 mi from the road).
Is Warm Spring free to visit?
Warm Spring has Open access. It is managed by National Park Service.
Can I camp near Warm Spring?
Yes, Starr Springs Campground is located nearby (13.5 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 1,880 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia