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Swimming at Utah Crater is a unique way to spend some time if you’re in Salt Lake City or Park City. This natural hot spring in the town of Midway is part of the Homestead Resort complex.
Introduction to Utah Crater
Utah Crater, formerly Homestead Crater, began forming over 10,000 years ago as the rising water of a hot spring deposited minerals, creating a natural dome. Miners and workers passing through the area in the early 20th century would use it as a place to rest and recharge. It opened to the public on July 12, 1996.
The dome is 55 feet high and 400 feet wide at the base, while the crater is 65 feet deep. Rappelling through the small opening at the top was once the only way to access the water, but the modern entrance is through a 110-foot tunnel built in the 1990s. The water averages a temperature of 95° F. At the bottom of the crater is a layer of silt 8–14 feet thick.
Visiting the Utah Crater
Reservations are required to swim or scuba dive in the crater, and you can book online. 40 minute sessions are limited to only 20 people at a time. Check the official website for more info. Prices are current as of September 2025:
- From Monday to Thursday, it costs $15 for visitors age 8+, $12 for kids age 3-7, and free for kids under 3. Scuba diving is $25 per person.
- From Friday to Sunday and holidays, it’s $18 for visitors age 8+, $15 for kids age 3-7, and free for kids under 3. Scuba diving is $30 per person.
Visitors must check in and pay at the Activity Center before heading to the crater. Lockers and changing rooms are available and you’ll have to bring your own towels, unless you’re a guest at the resort. Mandatory life jackets are provided, and you can’t use your own inner tube or flotation devices. Snorkeling equipment is available for rent but in my opinion it’s not worth it.
If you’re short on time or aren’t interested in swimming, you can take a free self-guided tour of the crater. They’re available every hour on the half hour and take about 10 or 15 minutes.
