Homestead Crater: fees, hours and how to visit

Homestead Crater is a geothermal pool enclosed inside a 55-foot beehive-shaped limestone dome in Midway, Utah, reached through a short tunnel cut into the rock. Day entry runs $40 per person plus tax, reservations are recommended (walk-ins fill remaining space when available), and the water holds at 90–96°F year-round for soaking, snorkeling and scuba diving. Our hot springs in Utah guide puts it side by side with the state's free and donation-based soaks.

No sourced coordinates are on file for this spot yet — see methodology.

Fact box

Field	Detail
Location	Midway, Utah, roughly 45 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, on the grounds of the Homestead resort
Elevation	About 5,640 ft
Dome dimensions	55 ft tall, roughly 400 ft wide at the base, with the pool about 65 ft deep at its deepest point
Water temperature	90–96°F year-round, per the Homestead resort's Crater page
Nearest town	Midway, Utah
Access	Short walk from the Homestead resort grounds, through a tunnel into the dome
Fee	$40 per person plus tax (2026 rate), reservations recommended
Legal status	Private resort, part of the Homestead property; not open access
Season	Open year-round, indoor geothermal pool unaffected by weather

Reservations and hours

Homestead Crater is a paid attraction run by the Homestead resort rather than a natural, open-air spring you can walk up to. Entry costs $40 per person plus tax as of 2026, and reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, since sessions can fill; walk-ins are accommodated only as space allows (the Crater at Homestead). Book through the resort's website or by phone before making the drive from Salt Lake City or Provo.

The dome itself formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich water deposited layers of travertine limestone into a beehive shape roughly 55 feet tall and 400 feet across at the base. A short tunnel, cut into the rock for visitor access, leads from the resort grounds down into the enclosed pool, so there's no hiking involved, just a walk from the parking area.

The pool

Unlike an open-air soak, the crater's pool sits inside the enclosed dome, lit by a narrow shaft of daylight from an opening at the top. The water holds steady at 90–96°F year-round, cooler than most soaking hot springs but warm enough for extended time in the water, and the pool's depth (around 65 feet at its lowest point) draws certified scuba divers and snorkelers in addition to people there just to soak or swim. The resort runs the site for multiple uses: paddleboard yoga, scuba certification classes and open snorkel and swim sessions, on top of standard soaking visits, so check what's scheduled before you book if you want the pool to yourself.

How this guide was researched

This page was compiled from the Homestead resort's own website, Visit Utah's official guide and published travel reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees, hours and reservation policy change; verify current pricing and availability with the resort before you go. Last checked August 2026.

Before you go

Book ahead, particularly for weekend visits, since the enclosed pool has a fixed capacity and sessions do sell out. Bring a swimsuit and a towel; changing facilities are on site as part of the resort.

Even at a managed, year-round 90–96°F, treat the water with the same care as any natural hot spring. The CDC recommends avoiding submersion of your head in warm, untreated freshwater because of the rare but serious risk of Naegleria fowleri (CDC, Preventing brain infection when swimming); ask staff whether that guidance applies to the crater's water treatment before diving or snorkeling with your face submerged. If you're scuba diving, go only with current certification, since depth and low light inside the dome are real hazards for an untrained diver. See our hot spring safety guide for more on soaking safely.

FAQ

How much does it cost to visit Homestead Crater?

$40 per person plus tax (2026 rate). Reservations are recommended; walk-ins are accepted only as space allows.

Do I need a reservation for Homestead Crater?

It's recommended, especially on weekends, since sessions can fill. Walk-ins get in only if there's open space.

How warm is the water at Homestead Crater?

The pool holds at roughly 90–96°F year-round, since it's an enclosed, temperature-stable geothermal pool rather than an open-air spring.

Can you scuba dive at Homestead Crater?

Yes, certified divers can dive the crater, which reaches about 65 feet at its deepest point. Certification and, in some cases, a checkout dive are required.

Is Homestead Crater a natural hot spring?

Yes, the water is naturally geothermal, but access is entirely through the Homestead resort rather than open public land, and soaking requires paying admission.

We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.