*This post is written by my husband, Dan – the best travel companion a Mrs. could ask for!*
On a trip out west, I was heading to Salt Lake City after a morning hike through Arches National Park and an afternoon exploring Goblin State Park. A friend told me about a camping spot in Monroe, Utah with a natural hot spring on the way that he thought I might enjoy. I’m so glad he did. Mystic Hot Springs is a hidden gem in Monroe, Utah that is relaxing and surreal. It’s a place you won’t want to miss!
Camping at Mystic Hot Springs
You will not be impressed when you pull up, but don’t let that scare you away. You pull in to a circle of grass surrounded by RV’s and tents. There is also an abandoned pool surrounded by a chain link fence. If someone had shown me a picture before going, I probably would have crossed this place off my list. We checked in first so that we could get our tent set up for the night. The staff was very friendly at check in, and it was a quick process. We were told there were showers and given our camping pass. We set up our tent and then headed for the hot springs.
Water from the Hot Springs
The water that comes from the hot springs starts at 168 degrees (F) and flows quickly at 200 gallons per minute. As it flows and cools, the minerals form rocks. You can tell that this hot spring has been flowing for a long time by the amount of rock everywhere. They say it has been flowing for millions of years non-stop. As it flows, they catch the spring water in tubs where they can regulate the temperature. They keep them between 89 and 110 degrees.
The Hot Springs
Mystic has both a large pool and private tubs where you can socialize or take some time for yourself. The public pool or bath is cleaned 1-2 times per week. The tubs are cleaned every morning. I choose to go solo because I wanted to recharge in peace from hiking earlier.The tub was comfortable and the water was hot – like a hot tub. It was so relaxing.
We got there at the perfect time. The sun was just about to set and my tub faced west. (You can choose which way you want to face as long as there are open tubs). As the sun set it radiated a blood orange color on the rocks from where the hot springs came up. I felt like I was on Mars. It was absolutely spectacular… stunning… breathtaking. As the sun set, a purple sky transcended, and the moon shined bright topping off a great day of travel and exploring Utah.
Notes
Mystic Hot Springs is probably not for fancy travelers, but if you are looking for an unforgettable experience on a budget, it is a great place to be.
Address: 475 E 100 N, Monroe, UT 84754
Price: $15 for a day pass to soak in the hot springs, $30 for overnight tent space with a hot springs soak pass