Utah

Crystal Hot Springs - Hot Springs in Utah

11/01/2021

Chinese immigrants were employed to build the transcontinental railroad.

The hot spring that they loved is still a place of relaxation for locals.

Historic hot spring renovated

The first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed in 1869 when the Union Pacific and Southern Pacific railroads connected at Promontory Summit in Utah Territory.

Information Board 01

It was that the cheap labor of Chinese immigrants that played a decisive role in achieving the difficult construction.

Just over a half hour drive from the Promontory Summit is Crystal Hot Springs.

Parking 01

After the Native Americans left, the Chinese brought cedar tubs to the area to relieve the stress accumulated from their hard labor.

In 1901, the predecessor of the current facility opened under the name of Madsen Hot Springs.

Entrance 01

Crystal Hot Springs now offers an RV park and a day use.

The facility was extensively renovated in 2018.

Entrance 02

The fee was $18.00 for adults (as of this writing).

In the hallway, there was a panel display of famous hot spring resorts around the world.

Office 02

Clothing is required in the swimming area.

Changing Room 01

A monotone changing room.

Office 01

Characteristic brown water

All the pools are outdoors; and the large area is dotted with picnic tables.

Garden 01

The hot spring water cascaded down from the top of the structure that resembled a cave.

Waterfall 01

This seemed an ingenious idea that was typical of the current owner, who used to work at Disneyland.

Capybara
Capybara
It's Big Thunder Mountain style.
Isn't that an exaggeration?
Alpaca
Alpaca
Waterfall 02

At Crystal Hot Spring, a cold mineral spring of 70 degrees F springs just 50 feet next to the 135 degrees F spring, which are known for the abundance.

Hot Tubs 01

This combination makes it possible to mix the two different waters and adjust the temperature at will.

Hot Tubs 04

This advantage seemed to have a positive effect on the use of water.

Hot Tubs 03

The larger pools were minimally chlorinated, but I couldn't detect any unpleasant smell in the three small hot tubs.

Large Soaker Pool 02

Even in the hottest tub, the water temp was about 106 degrees F.

Large Soaker Pool 01

I was pleasantly surprised by the salty taste and metallic smell of the spring.

Children's Pool 01

I liked the arrangement that the kids' pool and water slides were separated from soakers' pools.

Water Slide 01

Even the Olympic pool was filled with mineral spring water.

Olympic Pool 01

The reason why so many pools were filled with natural hot spring water and kept in reasonably good condition was probably because of the two springs that were blessed with a large amount of water.

Overview 01

With such miraculous hot springs, the construction of the transcontinental railroad must have progressed very efficiently in the past.

Pond 01

Summary

Crystal Hot Springs, Honeyville, Utah, U.S.

My rating

Type: Walk-in, Lodging (RV park)

Rule: Clothing required

Chemical use: Detected

Water temp: Up to 133 degrees F

Official website

  • Writer

Hot Springer Ken

A hot spring enthusiast based in Japan. Toured over 300 North American hot springs while working in Texas from 2016 to 2022. For updates, visit X or Instagram!

-Utah
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