Old Indian Hot Spring (Stinky Springs), Utah

Getting to Old Indian Hot Springs

Old Indian Hot Springs is located approximately 6.7 miles down an improved dirt road from the junction with Utah State Route 83, near the base of Little Mountain, about 6 miles southwest of Bear River City in Box Elder County. From Salt Lake City, take Interstate 15 north to exit 365, then follow directions northwest on UT-83. The springs are on the left side of the road and are visible from the highway, with the cement tub structure and steam identifiable as a landmark. The drive from Salt Lake City takes approximately one hour. The dirt access road is generally passable for standard vehicles in dry conditions.

There is no formal parking area, no trailhead signage, and no facilities. Visitors park on the roadside near the tubs. The site is in a very remote part of Box Elder County with limited cell service. The nearest towns with services are Corinne and Brigham City, each approximately 20 miles away. The springs are near the Spiral Jetty on the north arm of the Great Salt Lake and close to the Golden Spike National Historical Park at Promontory Summit, both of which are popular day trip destinations in the area. For those researching hot springs near Brigham City Utah, Old Indian Hot Springs is the most primitive and accessible option in Box Elder County, though the condition of the site varies with visitor use.

Suitability and Accessibility of Old Indian Hot Springs

Old Indian Hot Springs suits adventurous solo visitors and couples who are comfortable with a primitive, unmanaged site. The tubs are roadside and require no hiking, but the site has no facilities, no shade, no clean-up infrastructure, and a history of litter and vandalism. The Utah Health Department has previously stated that the site does not meet bathing standards. Visitors who choose to soak do so at their own discretion. The site is not suitable for families with children due to the high temperatures, the unmanaged environment, reports of broken glass and debris, and the regular presence of nudity.

There is no wheelchair access. The tubs are cement-walled with no graded approach or safety infrastructure. The terrain around the tubs is flat desert but the surfaces near the water can be slippery from mineral deposits. The site has clothing-optional use in practice, and visitor demographics and behaviour vary widely. The strong hydrogen sulfide odor is present at all times. Some visitors report lingering sulfur smell on skin and hair after soaking.

The spring water has high mineral content including radium, lithium, bromide, and iodide in addition to hydrogen sulfide. The Utah Health Department assessment should be considered seriously by anyone deciding whether to enter the water. Visitors who do soak should avoid submerging their heads, avoid open wounds, and limit time in the water. For those seeking free hot springs in Utah that are accessible without a hike, Old Indian Hot Springs is among the most primitive examples in the state.

Old Indian Hot Springs Safety Tips

Old Indian Hot Springs carries significant safety considerations. The site does not meet Utah Health Department bathing standards, and the water contains high levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, carbon dioxide, sodium chloride, lithium, bromide, iodide, and radium. The enclosed bathhouse was demolished around 2000 following a death at the site attributed at least in part to toxic gas buildup inside the structure. The open-air tubs reduce gas accumulation compared to the original indoor facility, but hydrogen sulfide at elevated concentrations remains a hazard, particularly if visitors linger with their faces close to the water surface.

Water temperatures are between 108 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly above the commonly cited safe soaking limit of 104 degrees. Visitors should test temperature carefully before entering and should not remain in the hottest tub for extended periods. Heat stress, dehydration, and burns from direct contact with hotter inflow areas near the spring vent are genuine risks.

The site has a history of litter, broken glass, and vandalism. Visitors should check the tub floors before entering and wear water shoes or sandals. Rattlesnakes are present in the surrounding desert during warmer months. The area is remote with limited cell service. Visitors should not go alone and should inform someone of their plans. Do not drink the spring water, which is brackish and heavily mineralized.

The site is on private land and the landowner permission for public access is informal and can be withdrawn. Treat the site with respect, pack out all rubbish, and do not leave anything behind. Overnight camping is not permitted on the property.