Fifth Water Hot Springs (Diamond Fork): The Trail & Soaking Guide
Fifth Water Hot Springs is a series of natural geothermal pools and a warm waterfall in Diamond Fork Canyon, about an hour southeast of Provo, Utah. Getting there is a hike, not a drive: roughly a 4.5-mile round-trip along Fifth Water Creek with about 600–700 feet of gain — moderate and family-doable in the warmer months. It’s free, no permit needed, and open year-round, but the access road closes to cars in winter, which turns it into a much longer trek. Go on a weekday morning to beat the crowds, and pack out everything you bring in. Here’s how to find it, when to go, and what most first-timers get wrong.
Getting to the trailhead
From Provo or Spanish Fork you take US-6 up Spanish Fork Canyon, turn onto Diamond Fork Road, and drive to the Three Forks trailhead at the end. In the warm season it’s a straightforward drive of about an hour from Provo. In winter the upper road is gated and unplowed, so the trailhead is far from where you can park — see the winter note below.
Getting around Utah? Compare rental-car prices from Salt Lake City for the drive down to Diamond Fork Canyon.
The hike
From Three Forks the trail follows Fifth Water Creek upstream — a pretty, mostly gentle canyon walk crossing bridges and passing small cascades — about 2.2–2.5 miles each way to the first pools, gaining roughly 600–700 feet. It’s rated moderate: doable for reasonably fit families, but a real hike, not a roadside soak. You’ll smell the sulfur before you see the water. The pools sit in tiers below a warm waterfall; temperatures vary pool to pool — hotter near the falls, cooler downstream — so you can find one that suits you.
When to go
- Late spring through fall: best access and the classic experience — the road is open and the trail is clear.
- Winter: magical (soaking in the snow) but hard — with Diamond Fork Road gated, the round-trip can stretch to ~10+ miles, so it’s for prepared hikers only.
- Any season: early morning on a weekday is the move. Weekends and evenings get busy and the small pools fill fast.
Make a day of it near Provo: guided hikes, canyoneering, and outdoor experiences in the Provo area.
What most people get wrong
Three things. First, crowds and timing — showing up midday on a Saturday means packed pools and a full trailhead; go early on a weekday. Second, the winter road — people map “Fifth Water” in January, don’t realize the road is closed, and get caught out on a 10-mile round-trip they didn’t plan for. Third, Leave No Trace — this is a fragile, free, unmanaged spot that gets loved to death; pack out all trash, don’t use soap or glass in the pools, and respect that it’s clothing-optional by custom but family-frequented. Whether it stays open and pristine depends on visitors behaving.
Make it a trip
Pair Fifth Water with a Provo-area base — it’s an easy add-on to a day that also hits Stewart Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, or the Alpine Loop.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the hike to Fifth Water Hot Springs?
About 4.5 miles round-trip from the Three Forks trailhead, with roughly 600–700 feet of elevation gain — moderate, around 2 hours of hiking plus soaking time.
Is Fifth Water Hot Springs free?
Yes. It’s on National Forest land — free, with no permit required.
Can you go in winter?
Yes, but Diamond Fork Road closes to vehicles, which lengthens the round-trip to roughly 10+ miles. It’s for prepared winter hikers only.
How hot are the pools?
They range from very warm near the waterfall to cooler downstream, so you can pick a comfortable pool. Temperatures shift with season and water flow.
Is Fifth Water Hot Springs family-friendly?
In the warm season, yes — many families do it. Just plan for a real 4.5-mile hike, and note it’s a natural, clothing-optional-by-custom spot.
Where do you park for Fifth Water?
At the Three Forks trailhead at the end of Diamond Fork Road (warm season). Arrive early — the lot fills on weekends.
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