Discover the rustic charm and healing mineral waters of Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe, Utah. Our comprehensive review explores the unique soaking tubs carved from mineral deposits, accommodation options from vintage buses to cabins, water temperatures, facilities, and essential visitor tips. Learn why this off-the-grid hot springs destination offers a genuine back-to-nature experience, unlike typical resort spas.
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If you’re here, you most likely love a good hot spring soak, just like me. On our way from San Diego to Salt Lake City for a ski trip, I knew my partner and I had to take a quick detour to visit Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe! If you’re looking for a hot spring in Utah, this is the place. Following a steep hike up to Angel’s Landing the day before, we seriously craved a hot soak to let our muscles melt. We drove our way from Zion to Monroe, Utah, where we veered off the main road toward the edge of town. As we got to the end of the road, we came upon the office with the RV spaces and converted buses on our right, some dilapidated cabins on our right, and the big building in front of the hot springs straight ahead.
We called to check in since no one was at the office and got ourselves settled in the RV spot of our choice. We ended up being the only RV or camper staying that February evening, so we had our pick. Once settled, we went up to the hot springs (you must buy admission separately – it’s unfortunately not included in the camping fee). You must walk up some stairs and past a flock of peacocks on the way. It can feel a little odd wandering through since it’s hard to tell if the building is being used (parts are boarded up), but once you’re up the stairs and near the hot springs, you’re transported into a rustic but pretty awesome area.
Reservation blocks are good for two hours. No one came by to check our reservation or anything, but I imagine it might be more strict when it’s busy. We only saw one employee throughout our visit, a man walking around to ensure the water temperatures weren’t too hot. We found ourselves in a tub in the shade and snuggled into it together before going to visit the shallow pool towards the front with the big arch and the deeper, hotter pool next to it. These are the only two communal pools; the rest are private tubs.
Location
Mystic Hot Springs is located in the small town of Monroe, Utah. This southern Utah hot spring is about three hours south of Salt Lake City, and a little more than two hours north of Zion National Park. It sits at an elevation around 4,500 ft.
Are reservations required?
Yes! You must have reservations for Mystic Hot Springs. Soaking passes are valid for a reserved 2-hour time slot. You will share the soaking area with others booked at the same time as you. A few more private claw-foot tubs are available, which will give you privacy if desired, while other pools and tubs are more communal.
How to Get There
Mystic Hot Springs is located in Monroe, a small town in central Utah. It is approximately 2.5 hours from Salt Lake City and 4.5 hours from Las Vegas. We recommend driving since there are no nearby airports. Cell service can be spotty in rural Utah, so download offline maps before traveling.
The access road to Mystic Hot Springs is paved and accessible for most vehicles. Check road conditions in winter, as mountain passes can experience snow and ice. We went in February and didn’t encounter too much snow along the way, but be careful! Limited signage exists, so watch carefully for the Mystic Hot Springs sign in Monroe.
Once you reach the property, the entrance to Mystic Hot Springs is fairly obvious, with its collection of vintage buses visible from the road.
Onsite Accommodations
Mystic Hot Springs offers several accommodation options: campsites, RV parking, rustic buses, and cabins.
The campsites are in a big grassy area under big trees, adjacent to the RV spots and buses. There is a main building with hot showers and bathrooms. We visited in our RV, so we didn’t use or check out the bathrooms, but they’re conveniently located relative to the campsites. We did find the bus area to be pretty “shabby” looking. Not all the buses are redone, so many of them have busted out windows and have seen better days. The renovated buses have nice murals on the side. We didn’t enter any of them, but photos are available on their website.
They also have cabins, but I didn’t even notice these while we were there, so I can’t speak to their location or vibe.
Is it RV-friendly? Yes, they rent out RV sites! The sites have electric hook-ups all year round, with water and sewer for $25 per person per night. This spot is unique in that they rent on their campsites by number of people, instead of per campsite. Camping costs do not include access to the hot springs.
What to expect
The cost for access to Mystic Hot Springs is $25 per person. This doesn’t include anything except for access.
From the Mystic Hot Springs website: “The soaking area consists of two concrete pools and five vintage cast iron bathtubs. The shallow pool is 2 feet deep and features an arch waterfall created by the minerals spilling into the the pool that gives a most heavenly massage. The deeper pool is four feet deep and creates a perfect place for strengthening and stretching muscles or floating meditation.
The temperatures of the soaking areas are usually between 99-110 degrees Fahrenheit, nice and hot. The bathtubs are drained and cleaned a few times daily, the pools are drained and cleaned bi-weekly. With a consistent flow, the water stays clean and hygienic. Its cloudy appearance is naturally occurring due to the minerals in the water. There is no sulfur in our water, so washing off after soaking isn’t necessary!”
As a little exploration mission, I recommend walking up the hill behind most of the tubs to see the source of the water. There are many signs telling you not to touch the water, as it is extremely hot, but it’s cool to see the little canals of spring water flowing up from its source.
Do they have an additional spa with massages?
No, this is a no-frills hot spring, not a resort. There are no spa-like amenities besides the hot springs themselves.
Amenities
The amenities here are sparse. There is no spa, locker room, or even bathrooms up near the springs. A few benches are scattered around, and there is a cubby shelf near one of the front pools to store your things.
What should I bring?
You’ll want to make sure you bring:
- Towels
- A bathing suit
- A nice robe to keep warm, especially if visiting during the winter like we did
- Sandals to walk around the property
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
- Water
Food Available Onsite
They do not sell food on-site, so make sure to bring your own snacks and meals with you!
Is it open year-round?
Yes, this property is open all year round. We visited on a sunny day in February and had no problems with accessing the property. I imagine it would get pretty hot here during a Utah summer!
Is it handicap accessible?
No, Mystic Hot Springs is on the less-developed side, so there are many stairs and lots of uneven ground to access the springs.
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