Quick FactsOverview
About Saratoga Hot Springs
Saratoga Hot Springs, Utah, also known as Inlet Park Springs or Lehi Hot Springs, is a free geothermal pool on the northwest shore of Utah Lake in Saratoga Springs, Utah County, approximately 30 miles south of Salt Lake City. A single large natural pool approximately 40 to 50 feet wide and 3 feet deep is fed by a geothermal source that rises through the pool floor at approximately 107 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The pool is accessible via a 0.25-mile flat paved trail from the Inlet Park parking area. It is free to visit, open year-round, and closes with Inlet Park at 10pm. No facilities are available at the spring itself, though restrooms are located at the Inlet Park parking lot.
The pool has an algae-covered floor and a soft mud substrate. The water temperature varies across the pool, with the hottest point directly above the source on the pool floor, where bubbles rise visibly through the water. The surrounding area is a reed and wetland landscape on the edge of Utah Lake, with views of the Lake Mountain Range to the west. The spring is close to residential Saratoga Springs and is popular with local families, college students from nearby Utah Valley University, and visitors stopping on a road trip along the Wasatch Front. It can be crowded on weekday evenings and weekends.
Location & Access
Getting to Saratoga Hot Springs
Saratoga Hot Springs is accessed from the Inlet Park parking area at 6800 N Saratoga Rd, Saratoga Springs, UT 84045. From Interstate 15, take exit 278 at American Fork and head west on UT-145, also known as Pioneer Crossing. Follow this road for approximately 3.5 miles and turn left onto Saratoga Road. Continue south on Saratoga Road for approximately 2.6 miles to Inlet Park on the south side of the road. There are two nearby parking areas; the correct one for the hot springs has restrooms and is the further of the two from the road. From the parking lot, follow the paved trail heading south. After approximately 0.25 miles the trail reaches a T-junction. The hot spring is to the left and is easy to spot by the visible steam rising from the pool.
The drive from Salt Lake City takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes via I-15 south. The city of Saratoga Springs operates Inlet Park and the trail. The park closes at 10pm and opens at 6am; police enforce the hours. The spring is also accessible from Provo and the southern Salt Lake Valley via UT-73 heading west and then north on Saratoga Road. For those seeking natural hot springs near Salt Lake City Utah, Saratoga Hot Springs is one of the closest free drive-up options in Utah County and requires no hiking preparation.
Suitability & Accessibility
Suitability and Accessibility of Saratoga Hot Springs
Saratoga Hot Springs suits most visitors including families with children and those looking for a flat, easy-access soak near Salt Lake City. The trail from the parking lot to the spring is paved, flat, and very short, making it one of the most accessible hot springs in Utah for visitors of all fitness levels. The pool is large enough to accommodate a group and the water temperature is generally comfortable for extended soaking. It is suitable for year-round visits, though the contrast of warm water and cold winter air is cited by many regular visitors as the best time to come.
There is no formal wheelchair access to the pool itself, as the pool edge and surrounding ground are natural mud and reed terrain. The paved trail from the parking area is accessible, but the final approach to the water is not. The pool has an algae and mud floor, and water shoes are useful. The hottest point in the pool is directly above the source vent on the floor, where bubbles rise and temperatures near 110 degrees. Visitors should test the temperature before sitting directly above this spot.
The spring is public and unsupervised. No lifeguard is present. The spring closes at 10pm and re-opens at 6am with the park, so it is a day-use destination only. Dogs are permitted on leash but are not allowed in the spring water. For those seeking natural hot springs near Salt Lake City Utah with easy access, Saratoga is the most convenient undeveloped spring in the region.
Safety & Etiquette
Saratoga Hot Springs Safety Tips
Saratoga Hot Springs is generally safe for soaking, though no lifeguard is present and visitors swim at their own risk. The pool is approximately 3 feet deep throughout except at the source vent, where the floor is soft and unstable. Sitting or standing directly above the vent can cause you to sink into the sediment. The vent area is also the hottest part of the pool at close to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Test the temperature before sitting and avoid placing hands or feet into the vent itself.
The pool floor is algae-covered and soft, which makes the bottom slippery and can be unpleasant for some visitors. Water shoes or sandals are recommended. The surrounding terrain near the pool is muddy and uneven reed vegetation. Visitors who lose their footing in the reeds can sink into soft mud. Wear footwear on the approach to the pool and test the ground before stepping off the paved trail.
The spring is on the edge of Utah Lake, which is a separate body of water. Do not confuse the geothermal pool with the lake. Utah Lake water quality has historically had algal bloom and water quality issues that are unrelated to the hot spring. Stay within the hot spring pool area and do not wade into the lake.
No swimming after 10pm as the park is closed and police enforce the hours. Violations can result in a citation. Bring your own water for drinking, as the spring water should not be consumed. Leave the area clean and pack out all rubbish. The site is close to a residential neighborhood and noise should be kept to a reasonable level, particularly in the evening before closing.
