Willow Spring

Beaver County, Utah · Near Milford
38.1550°N, 112.9010°W · 6,160 ft
72°F 48°F air · Good soaking weather 6,160 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (4.4 mi)

A warm spring on BLM ground in Beaver County, Willow Spring sits well out from Milford, something like eighteen miles. The water is tepid, warm enough to feel and nowhere near bath heat. The Cedar City Field Office manages the land and access is open. High desert country, mild mineral content, and there is a photo of it on file.

Location

The road goes unnamed in the record. Leave it and another fifth of a mile on foot gets you in. The elevation puts it in high sagebrush country where winter drops a fair amount of snow and the rest of the year stays dry. Hanging Rock Campground lies a little over four miles away, the nearest camping the record knows of.

December through February rank highest for a visit, though snow at this height can slow the approach. Open public land, no fee recorded. The chemistry on file comes from a sample taken in 1963 and the temperature reading is that old too, so the warmth today may not match.

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 Willow Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Willow Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Willow 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.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
272 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
101 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 48% 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
26°
Jan
29°
Feb
39°
Mar
47°
Apr
57°
May
72°
Jun
77°
Jul
75°
Aug
66°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.6 in Annual Snow: 35.8 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 26°F · Water 72°F · +46° contrast
December Air 26°F · Water 72°F · +46° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 72°F · +43° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
48°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 40% Good soaking weather
Today 80° Low 61° Sunny 5% precip
Wednesday 79° Low 61° Mostly Sunny 10% precip
Thursday 78° Low 57° Mostly Sunny 4% precip
Friday 78° Low 55° Sunny 1% precip
Saturday 77° Low 55° Sunny 4% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1963-08-22

The water at Willow Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0) with 421 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.0 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 79 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 13 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 49 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 25 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 60 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Camping
Hanging Rock Campground 4.4 mi away

Overview Hanging Rock Campground is located just off of Highway 21 between the towns of Beaver and Minerville, UT. The campground has six campsites all located alongside the scenic Beaver River. Along with the scenery that the river provides, it also offers what many consider to be the best fising in Beaver County. Recreation The Beaver River provides opportunity for year-round fishing. The Paiute ATV Trail and Beaver Bench Mountain Bike Trail System are located just down the road in Beaver,...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,160 ft

Willow Spring sits at 6,160 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 25% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 50°F
Above Ambient +22°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Cedar City Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use

Hike 1 waterfall near Willow Spring

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Willow Spring, Utah.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Willow Spring?
Willow Spring has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Willow Spring located?
Willow Spring is located in Beaver County, Utah at 6,160 feet elevation, near Milford. Coordinates: 38.1550°N, 112.9010°W.
How do I get to Willow Spring?
Willow Spring has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).
Is Willow Spring free to visit?
Willow Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Willow Spring?
Yes, Hanging Rock Campground is located nearby (4.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Willow Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.0 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 421 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS