The Crater at Homestead

Okay, forget the regular pool scene, because this is an ancient geothermal hot spring hidden inside a giant, beehive-shaped limestone cave! It literally looks like something from a movie. An art peace of God's creation. The vibe is so unique! The water is always a toasty 90-96^{\circ}\text{F} all year round. We went for a soak, and it felt like a giant, super-chill bath surrounded by ancient rock. Seriously, your muscles will thank you. You can swim, snorkel, or even get your scuba certification right there. How cool is that? It's the only warm-water spot for scuba in the whole continental U.S. Just roll in, chill out, and let the warm mineral water bless your whole week. It's a natural wonder, and that is definitely some amazing, God's creation is wild! Pro-Tip: Book your spot online, Go live your best cave-swimming life! ✌️

Excellent time It would be nice if they had better signage as to where to park. Also, if they had some type of cover or benches to sit on when you were outside waiting. The experience was fantastic. Play on a jet plane don’t know when I’ll be back again on a jet plane.

This place is worth going to at least once and by appointment/ time slot. Prices are reasonable, too. I went to just swim and see the surroundings but you can scuba dive there, too. Changing rooms are small but bathrooms are available at the building next to the crater if needed but... smell like sewage but they're clean overall. Employees are nice at the crater, too, and parking is right next to the crater.

It's an awesome experience. Warm float with a cool story. Staff were great and answered all our questions. A little interesting to find but not bad. You have to wait outside until your exact time you're scheduled. Highly recommended!

Been waiting to go! Book early slots fill up fast, it’s so relaxing and naturally beautiful! I was missing natural springs and clear waters of FL and this gave me exactly what I needed! You can swim, snorkel, or scuba dive. Swimmers are not allowed to “free dive” and must stay on the surface. You also may not jump in. Appropriate equipment is provided. The water is extremely warm. There is no bathroom, but there are changing rooms, shelves and lockers. I would wear your bathing suit there and change out of it after as your time is limited to around an hour in the water. I would like to come back and take a scuba diving cert class!

The hot spring experience was great, very warm water & super easy to get in & out. The hospitality of Josh wasn’t so pleasing. Would be a better experience if the resort had their stuff together. There is construction everywhere and it wasn’t easy to navigate around with all the mud. Our group was dropped off 30 minutes prior to our time slot by an Uber & we were told by Josh to wait outside in the rain & elements until he would come get us. No accommodation to wait makes it difficult for people dropped off with no vehicle to wait in. We found a bathroom to wait in about 250 feet from the entrance that we found ourselves but our backpacks and things we had with us got soaked. Trying to wait until dump trucks and cars drive by to not get soaked by muddy puddles is more time consuming than you’d think!

Interesting place and unique but clearly the resort is getting loads of investment which hasn't quite made it to the crater experience yet. Front entrance signage isn't clear. There are signs actually going in different directions and when you first get there you're driving into a major construction site of the resort which will I'm sure be impressive once finished. The entrance looks like something from a prison door. The new pool area nearby looked very nice. The crater isn't really a relaxing experience though. It's more for divers. As a swimmer you're made to wear an ill fitting life jacket which basically sits around your neck. If you use it instead as a perfectly good buoyancy aid which would then make it a nice experience you're made to put it on again and be half strangled. As a result we only stayed in 10 minutes. Another good thing to do would be to have the crater as one part of a bigger hot spring experience with other pools (hotter) outside for a bit of variety. There's only so long you can bob around in an uncomfortable life jacket otherwise and conventional hot pools would be a great addition with smarter changing rooms and showers. I suspect this is phase 2 or 3 of an overall plan

We were here during the summer and it was the perfect activity and turned out to be such a fun experience for our family! The crater itself was easy to find and it was an all around easy going experience. The water was warm (95 degrees), we got an hour of swim time and got lots of fun pictures. I’d highly recommend visiting the Homestead Crater if you are near Midway! I also saw that you can do paddle board yoga here which would be a fun experience.

What a cool experience to bring my OOT family to go see. I wanted to go to the hot springs, but I had never been to them. I asked my sister if she wanted to go when they came out here for Christmas, and I had her help me choose where to go. I polled friends, and then I had her choose. She chose the Homestead Crater, and she wasn't disappointed! It isn't too interesting in terms of things to look at, but getting to swim in a hot spring in a Crater, on Christmas Eve no less, made it a cool experience for family from Virginia. The water reflected was pretty blue-ish, which reminded me of a lagoon (like in The Little Mermaid ). I loved hearing of the history of the cave, how it was formed, and the minerals in the water. The water was perfect for a cold day. There are a few stalls, built into the cave wall for changing. The time changing is included in the 1 hour time slot you pay for. The staff was nice and knowledgeable. You do have to wear a life vest, which is provided at the Crater. There are also a couple of places you can sit, like the shallow end of a pool, if you don't want to "swim." Scuba diving is an option, for a little extra. Apparently some of my friends certified there for their scuba certifications. We hope to come back again soon!

Hidden in the charming town of Midway, Utah, the Homestead Crater is one of the most fascinating natural wonders in the state. This 10,000-year-old geothermal spring is enclosed within a massive 55-foot limestone dome, creating an experience unlike anything else in the U.S. The mineral-rich water stays a soothing 95°F year-round, making it perfect for soaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, or even paddleboard yoga. What makes the Homestead Crater truly special is its accessibility -- instead of hiking or rappelling in, visitors walk through a tunnel carved into the side of the dome to reach the warm, crystal-clear water below. The sunlight filtering through the natural opening at the top gives the entire space a magical glow that feels almost otherworldly. Located at the historic Homestead Resort, this natural hot spring is the only warm-water scuba diving location in the continental United States. Whether you're seeking relaxation, adventure, or a one-of-a-kind photo op, the Homestead Crater offers a truly unforgettable experience that combines nature, history, and serenity in one breathtaking spot. https://linktr.ee/reessroots

Such a cute experience at this crater. Space is limited so make sure to make reservations with enough time ahead.

A unique family friendly activity! The water is naturally heated and you get to watch scuba divers all around you as you wade in warm water. They provide life jackets (it is required to wear one) for all ages! Our 1 and 3 year old loved it! They gave little rubber duckies to our boys and also had plastic bags to store wet suits in after. Great service!! Don't show up too early because the entry way is small and narrow so they won't let you wait inside. (More an issue in the winter than anything.)

This was a very neat experience! My husband and I loved it! If you are a boujie person, this probably isn't the place for you, though. Because I saw a couple of reviews saying the lockers don't work, the entrance was sketchy and they keep doors locked, the changing areas are small, but I'm not sure what they were expecting. It's a crater. ‍ The workers were sooo nice and took the time to explain how the hot springs and crater came to be. The changing area was just fine. The lockers worked just fine. They keep the doors locked because you have to have reservations, only safely allowing a certain amount of people. We had a wonderful experience and would definitely do it again. Recommend getting there early enough to walk around the crater and up to the top to look down into it. We arrived 30min before our reservation time and that gave us time to walk around. Could also do afterwards, too.

The Homestead Crater was hands down my boyfriend's favorite excursion of the trip, and it far exceeded my expectations. While Arches National Park took the top spot for me, this experience was a close second. I was pleasantly surprised by how fun, well-organized, and seamless everything was. If you purchase tickets online, there's no need to check in at the activity center-- just show up to the crater entrance at your designated time, as they won't let you in a moment early. I highly recommend arriving 30-40 min beforehand to enjoy a treat at the on-site Milk House (very cool ambiance) before heading to the crater. The facility has only 4 changing rooms for the 25 guests every hour so you'll have more time in the hot spring if you come already in your swim attire. This is a mineral based hot spring so no sulfur smell. The water is clean and naturally warm, sitting in the mid-90s--perfect for a relaxing 45-minute to one-hour soak. As someone that likes my hot tub kept at 104 I was initially worried it wouldn't be warm enough, but 94 in that environment was just right. The couple running the tour was fantastic--she took several amazing photos of us and was more than happy to help, while he provided a fascinating history of the crater. Next time we visit, we plan to book back-to-back sessions to enjoy two hours, though one hour is definitely sufficient for a great experience. Highly recommend this unique and memorable stop. After you leave stop by the Heber Valley Milk for Aggie ice cream and the best fresh cheese selection you'll ever come across.

The check in process was quick and straightforward. I recommend coming in your swim clothes already. No showers but small changing stalls. The front desk person was very friendly, funny, and told us a little history about the crater. The water was warm, clear, and refreshing. I think this place is totally worth the trip, especially if you are not in a large group.

Very fun! CO2 rises from the bottom. Don't pay $8 for goggles. You can't see anything. Plus with life jackets you can't free dive down at all. Fun to just float for an hour. Warm the whole time. Very cool attraction.

Had a fun time at this crater! They are really strict on their timing so make sure to plan ahead when coming here. The best part of this heated crater is being able to float in the warm water. It's a bit chilly when coming out of the water so bring a towel. Got the snorkel but didn't feel like it was necessary since it was just dark below.

We had such a fun and rejuvenating time taking a dip in the crater! The water is a lovely 94 degrees all year round and leaves you feeling refreshed. We did the snorkeling experience, and while you can't see too much, it was still really cool. If you're around the area, you should definitely stop by! Make sure to make reservations.

Not much in terms of fun... like, I wish there would have been something interesting to look at while snorkeling. However, it definitely hits the spot on a cold, snowy day. Plus, the employees were very nice:)

Well this was super fun!!! We came with a large group over fall break so essentially booked each spot for one of the hours. It was neat to have the place to ourselves (because our kids can be loud - hehe!). We got a little history of the crater and land ownership near the end of our time in the water. While we didn't explore Homestead much, we did go around the back of the crater and go up the stairs to take a peek down after our time in the water. All of the tips were spot on - your party is let in at your time, the changing rooms are small, etc. But seriously - a fun activity with friends and family and definitely unique!

My sisters and I went for a soak on Thursday night. The water was amazing! About half way through the session, I realized my wedding band had slipped off my finger and was likely settled 65 ft below on the bottom of the crater. Not hoping for much, I left a description along with my name and phone. I was so surprised when I got a call the next morning that a scuba diver found the ring! Thank you, thank you, thank you! My ring is now in a safe place until it can be resized!

Great place to explore Utah's unique geology! Right next to the Homestead Resort... it's a very convenient weekend getaway from SLC. Only about an hour away from the valley. Also you get 10 percent off if you are going to the crater. I came here to get scuba certified with Scuba Utah. The water is very warm! By the end it felt like a sauna. But I was happy with the experience. Some things to note, there is no restroom inside the crater and you can only enter once it's your scheduled time or 15 mins before. There are bathrooms a one min walk away by the activity center where you go to pay and sign your waivers.

This was my 2nd visit to the Homestead crater and not much has changed in the 5 or so years since I came last. It's very cool being able to show up when there is snow on the ground and it's 30 degrees outside and then you walk inside the dome and the water is a perfect 90 degrees. The water is 90 degrees year-round which is amazing in itself. The dome and crater is just so cool to be in and swimming in that water that is warmed by the earth is an awesome experience. It's a good idea to get your swim suit on before you arrive if at all possible, however if you can't they do have 5 or 6 small changing booths that you can use to change. They also don't provide towels, so remember to bring your own from home or the hotel. Another odd thing is that while you can park right next to the crater, the office and bathrooms are all the way across the property and if it's cold out.... that's no fun. Especially if you're wet!! Overall an awesome place and cool experience to have and we definitely recommend it for anyone including kids! If you're a diver it is also one of the only places in the US that you can warm-water dive and certify.

I wouldn't make a special trip to swim here but it was a nice stop driving from Zion to Salt Lake City. They make you wear life jackets which detracts from the experience and makes it hard to get around. The water is warm and clear. Come dressed in your suit to maximize swim time. They have small changing cubes but no locks for the lockers. Bring a towel and understand there is no restroom on-site. They let people in at their appointed time - there is no place to wait if you are early. The attendant was super friendly and cheerful.

This is an overall cool experience to be able to swim in a natural hot spring essentially surrounded by snow (we went in winter) however I did feel it was a little distracting to have a scuba emergency responder type class going on at the same time as they were yelling about saving drowning people while we were floating and relaxing. I do feel that should be at a separate time. It's nice they have changing rooms, however a bathroom, even outdoors, would be nice as well. Overall it's something you can't do in most places so it's not that expensive (like $20 each) for like 40 minutes to float around but it wasn't something I would necessarily do again.

Amazing experience! Water is 95 degrees all year long. It was so relaxing. The manager even provided a history lesson on the crater towards the end of the swim session that was super informative. They provided life jackets and had changing stalls which was nice as well. Can't wait to go back in the winter!

The staff was so friendly! My husband and I had such an amazing experience, we cant wait to go back. Definitely recommend experiencing this at least once.

Very unique experience if you're looking for something not too far from SLC to fill up an afternoon! It was like warm bath water. I enjoyed wearing a life jacket, so I didn't have to worry about treading water and could just float and hangout with friends. If you are expecting a really fun, exciting adventure I'd adjust your expectations a bit if you just planning on floating in the creator. It is definitely a cool experience, but I understand other reviews indicating it could get boring or be underwhelming. If you plan on visiting, I'd recommend wearing your bathing suit there and don't forget TOWELS!! They do offer small lockers for you to store your belongings while you're in the water.

Um... I have no words. What in the actual heck? I felt like it was a ripoff, but it also wasn't because it was an experience... but then again we went in & saw how dirty the water was, which made half of us not even go in. It was so funny to see everyone pile in like little lobsters getting cooked. It was literally just a dip, dunk, & head back home. I would recommend just calling the paddle board company way in advance to see if you can do the paddle board crater yoga with them instead, heard that is a MUCH better experience than this. Overall, we still made it a good time & it was a good sightsee.

VERY TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE To start you can't see anything with goggles and it's just a horrible experience. I payed 100 bucks for nothing good and it stinks as well

My brother and me came here after finding this place on a random map search. We booked one of the hour time slots and made our way there when the day came. The location is right next to Heber, in Midway, so there is a bit of a drive to get there, but the scenery of Provo Canyon and the rim of Deer Lake with Wasatch mountains in the background are a pleasant sight. When you get to the Homestead Center, you'll see the crater just sitting quietly in the middle of the area. Who would've thought that there was a natural geothermal pond inside it!? We got there just 15 mins prior to our time slot to go inside the crater (to swim around) so we grabbed our towels and lined up outside the entry and exit door. We had tips that we should go in already in bathing suit, as the hour time slot you book goes by really fast. Soon as the staff member opened the doors, we were in, checked in at the desk, and undressed right at the shelves preceding the life vests. Don a vest, though it may be cold from it being wet and airing out from the last person that used it, and hop in! The crater is really neat. You can swim around the entire pond, or just float around and enjoy the steam and mineral rich water. The crater echos, so just be mindful of your conversations. Its a shared experience and you definitely don't want to be THAT person to ruin it for everyone else. When we were there, there was a scuba class underway. I saw that for about 600$ you can get your certifications. It was kind of neat to see the divers going up and down beneath us as we floated around. Their lights showing us what was beneath, while their apparatus bubbles were like hot tub jets massaging our bodies. The divers mentioned that it was about 65 feet deep. Neat! My brother and me stayed in till the last people got out and then we got out, toweled up and left. Very unique experience and highly recommend it! We went on a weekday, so it was 15$ each. Well worth it in my opinion if you follow the tips and maximize your time in the water. Have fun!

Want to swim in a hot spring inside a crater that opens up into the night sky? This would be the place for that. Of course they have other activities too, but I didn't partake of any of those so this review is only for the awesome night swim experience I had last month. Even the drive here was nice, as it took us into the mountains and past Park City (which my mom always suggests I go to when I visit my Utah buddy even though I remind her I'm not the skier in the family haha). What a cool adventure. My friend made us reservations the day of and it was a painless transaction. They had several helpful reminders communicated to us over the phone like bringing our own towels, having our swimming things on under our clothes because the changing area is not in use due to this the time of the Rona, and letting us know we would need to wear life jackets the entire time. The life jackets are because the hot spring is very deep. Best not to think about this part too much *nervous laugh* but it's perfectly safe. There's a decent amount of space to swim around, and they do cap how many people they allow for the swim sesh. There are also two little corral type things with a wooden floor where you can stand up. Some dude took off his life vest at one point and an old man came out of nowhere and lectured him to put it back on. I felt safe in this place. The water was warm but not hot. I would say it was more like a heated pool than a hot tub. My skin felt so nice afterwards. It was a relaxing good time and one of a kind. We had plenty of room to float and swim away from other people. And dumb teenagers splashing. Dang kids! I would definitely come back for another night swim during the summer or perhaps a day swim in a colder season. Water shoes or sandals would be a good idea if you plan to swim. The parking lot is right next to the crater entrance and well marked, but the initial turn to enter the activity center is weird because there isn't a sign for it. The gps led us well though and eventually signs did appear. Sorry I didn't take pics of the actual hot spring, I stored all my stuff on the communal shelf before getting in a life vest. There are employees keeping watch over the communal shelf but even still maybe leave valuables in your trunk. Yes there are life vests that fit fat people. I would know as a fat people.

The crater itself is really cool. That's the only nice thing I can say. You get forced to stay outside when it's quite cold. The lady at the front desk was rude and short. We were sent to the restrooms across the parking lot and the smell inside the bathroom about brought my lunch up. Then we went back and our snorkel gear was plopped on the counter. No real explanation or anything. Snorkeling was a total rip off. You can't see anything. There isn't anything to actually see. It was too dark and swimming would have just been cheaper. We had 4 babies in the group who each took turns screaming their little heads off. You can't do anything more than float. We were bored in 10 minutes. Would recommend as a one and done but never go back. The lady at the desk needs customer service training.

Very Misleading Experience (Bait & Switch style place): My visit to Homestead Crater today was certainly... unique (I hope, but I'm 100% sure it's not). Arriving at 1:30 PM for my scheduled 3:30 PM slot, I was initially pleased when a woman at the activity center offered me an early entry if I checked back in with her at 2:40 PM if there were any no-shows. Luckily, there was one, and I was told to head over to the crater to check in. The check-in process at the crater around 2:48 PM was straightforward enough, though the subsequent list of rules felt excessive. No swimming, no diving, no going underwater - just floating, and everyone must wear a very large life jacket. By the time I finally got through the lengthy spiel and into the water, it was nearly 2:52 PM. It's worth noting that during this check-in, which occurred over 20 minutes after my initially offered early entry time, three different people - including the owner and the two staff members who later denied me my true swim time - had ample opportunity to inform me that accepting the early entry would impact the duration of my time in the water. This vital information was never shared. I enjoyed a brief 15-20 minutes of floating before it was time for the group to exit. Given that I had entered the water much later than everyone else, I inquired to be sure I could have a few extra minutes. The response was confusing - the staff member, whose grandfather apparently owns the property, simply told me to be the last one out. Seeking clarification, I spoke with the staff at the desk as everyone else was leaving. I explained that I had only been in the water for about 15 minutes of my supposed hour-long booking (though it turns out the actual swim time is only 40 minutes, with 10 minutes on either side for "getting ready," despite the expectation to arrive in your swimsuit). To my dismay, I was informed that because I had been moved up, my time was not extended and I had to leave with everyone else. This lack of communication was incredibly frustrating and shiesty. Had I known my swim time would be significantly cut short by accepting the early entry, I would have simply waited for my original 3:30 PM appointment. This crucial detail was never mentioned. Further compounding my disappointment, upon returning to the activity center to express my frustration, two other staff members confirmed that I would not receive any extra time. One of them, ironically, was the same person who had checked me in 20 minutes late at the crater (who also didn't inform me at all that my float time would be affected). It felt like a bait-and-switch. The sheer number of restrictions - essentially limiting the experience to passive floating in a life vest for a mere 15 minutes - was baffling. After voicing my concerns about the poor communication and the restrictive nature of the experience, I was finally offered a few extra minutes back in the water. However, this felt like a belated and insincere gesture after I had already walked barefoot across the parking lot in my swimsuit after talking to 3 other people to address the issue. Only after I mentioned I run a blog to review and visit places around the US online and would be leaving a review did they offer these *extra few minutes*. In summary: Homestead Crater offers a truly unique geological setting for a soak. However, the experience is significantly hampered by a long list of inflexible rules, a surprisingly short actual swim time, and a concerning lack of clear communication regarding scheduling and time allowances. The fact that multiple staff members, including the owner, failed to inform me of the reduced swim time despite having the opportunity to do so during a delayed check-in only exacerbates the feeling of being misled. Potential visitors should be aware of the many limitations and ensure they fully understand the time allocation before agreeing to any changes in their booking. Waste of time, will not be revisiting.

While in the area for the week our family came across the Crater. For $15 per person it was an ok experience, but don't expect too much. It's a spring-fed pool hidden within a limestone cave with lights hanging above. You can float (life jackets must be worn while in the water) for 40 minutes and it can get loud depending on the amount of people. There was a group who were obtaining their diving certification at the same time, and it was a bit distracting. The person checking us in was friendly and the place was clean and organized for basically being a tunnel. If we had to do over, we'd have skipped this and saved the money.

This place was amazing I highly recommend it ! The water was pretty temperature and I love how they only let a certain number of people in at a time

Our party went to the Crater on 1/1/24 at 5:30pm. My party really enjoyed our time here, they wished the water was a little hotter though. While -1 star for not having a restroom inside, there were 4 changing rooms (I didn't go but I think there might've been a restroom too) right outside in the white round building. There are also tiny changing rooms inside. It's pretty toasty inside but bc the door opens and closes, every once in a while you'll feel the Utah draft so it'll get extra chilly for the swimmers. The staff was really professional and friendly. I overheard her talking to bunch of teenagers that were obviously asking silly questions and she answered them patiently and calmly. I loved the extra small touches they did: added space heaters so that swimmers don't freeze their tails off coming out of the water. They have a dispenser of plastic bags so that people can put their weight clothes in it. The staff tells a small 2-3 min spiel about the history of the crater. They have small lockers (no locks, free of charge) and shelves so that you can put your stuff in/on it. The duration of being in the waters is 40 mins, they are very on time about it. They also do not want parties to check in prior to their reservation time, so please be respectful and go right in at your time. I think they'll give you 20 mins to change so that won't eat into your time. I believe our party may have paid about $20/pp.

Had some initial issues with getting going on our experience and we had based our entire trip around this so first experiences were a little tough but the in person experience was great. -to scuba you will need to call to set up your times -if it has been more than 1 year since you last dove you will need to pay to get recertified.... Which is considerably more obviously than just going to dive. -they do have experiences available for those who are not certified. It was pricey but my daughter enjoyed the experience immensely -If you are certified and need to rent gear the cost of coming in to scuba and rent gear is actually pretty affordable. Since my daughter was not scuba certified and my son did the update, and there is only the one experience option they only went diving once though my son had been hoping to do twice. He didn't want to do another day by himself. Maybe we will be back in the future. Coming in they have a very large parking lot. You check in at the activity center building which is separate from the crater. If you are diving you will need your whole number on your form. Be sure to print our your waivr and medical forms prior to coming. You then head over to the crater. There is a couple of small rooms to change there but would recommend showing up in your swim suit or trunks. Also be sure to bring your towels unless you would like to pay to rent a towel. Kitty and diving instructor danielle were both incredibly friendly. My kids both had a amazing time with their dive. I do highly recommend danielle for an experience, update, or as an instructor. They helped my 16 year old gear up as she is not certified and my son doing the update needed to gear himself. Fair enough. The crater is a hot springs and is so warm. You get to dive in your bathing suit/trunks. No need for a wet suit. So nice!!!! We came back the next night to swim/float. We had booked reservations for that online a month or so beforehand. You will be required to wear a life jacket. They are pretty firm on in and out times. You are not supposed to come into the crater until your exact time of your reservation (or later). You are supposed to wait outside. There are some lockers. Bring your lock! And also a shelf to put stuff on. I would not necessarily bring my valuables with me when coming. Leave them at home or at your hotel. Really enjoyed our floating experience and was sad when it was over. I would definitely come back in teh future if in heber city!

This would be a five star experience but because of how cool it is the hot spring gets crowed quick. MAKE SURE TO GET EARLY AND STAND TO BEAT FAMILIES & BE DRESSED TO GO IN RIGHT AWAY. Nothing against families going to the spring but every party has to get checked in and confirm their purchase. My gf had the best judgment and made sure we avoided this. Because of that we got the hot spring to ourselves for about 7min (that was how long the people behind us took to check in and get ready to go in). The water was warm and enjoyable. Only thing is the crater top has a metal cover, with a bridge over it, and I was expecting a hole that gave you a clear visual of the sky. Lastly, I highly recommend checking groupon because I got the "40-Minute Therapeutic Soak or Swim in Natural Mineral Water with Snorkeling Gear for Two, Valid Monday-Thursday Only" for $24 total. MAKE SURE TO CALL BEFORE TO CONFIRM THERE IS AVAILABILITY!!! THEN CONFIRM YOUR PURCHASE. (I was able to do it over the phone) 4/5 I for sure think it is worth the visit, especially if you use a groupon.

very disa I booked the crater for a family of 5 , two of the members were having terrible elevation sickness and was taken to doctors for medicine I called the crater to cancel and get mo ey back and they refused even when I mentioned I had the doctors visit and medicine I can proof they still refused I will never go back for this reason since they were unreasonable and rejected the doctors note and medicine presc

Overall, this was a neat experience. Though I did not get to go into the crater, I did get to hike up to the top myself and look down while my party was inside. That was neat. It's a bit of a drive to get there, but to most, worth it for the experience. Everyone has to wear a life jacket, there are people of all ages there, including children and families. The crater is warm and you stay in it for about 45 minutes to one hour. The greeter at the front is very kind and helpful and shows you where to place your belongings. Overall, it felt very safe. There are changing rooms and lockers to keep your personal items. On the drive there from the city, we saw a few deer which was a fun experience. The drive is alright, not too long, with scenic views. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes hot springs.

In the crater, the water wasn't what I consider 'hot', but it was an interesting experience. Cumbersome floatation vests are required, which pretty much precludes normal swimming, if that's what you want to do. You just end up floating around. There is some sky visible through the open dome. The water is very dark, so underwater photography is limited to flash. The changing rooms are not for the squeamish, so walk in wearing your swimming gear. Restrooms are about 100 yards away, so be sure to take care of business before entering the crater. Once is enough for me.

I completed my open water dive certification here and would recommend to anyone that doesn't want to travel too far or out of the country to complete their certification. The water was about 97 degrees while I was there in July, so not quite hot tub levels and you definitely won't need a wet suit. I brought my dive gear from Denver and showed up already with my swimsuit under my clothes and towel in hand. It also helps to have a water bottle for after you get done, you'll want it! The dive instructors are knowledgeable, friendly, and supportive - they want you to pass but also know your stuff. So be sure to review the steps for gearing up, regulator clearing, mask clearing, etc. and don't be afraid to ask clarifying questions before you get started.

The crater was such a fun experience!! We came here for swimming and it was truly awesome. We struggled a bit to find it at first but once we did it was very simple. If you book online go right to the entrance and wait. There's signs explaining so but if you walk in early you will be asked to wait outside. Everyone is required to wear life jackets. The water is extremely warm! It was like being in a huge bath tub. The guide was friendly and stopped halfway through to give us a little history and answer questions. If you're worried about it there's no plants or critters in the water so nothing is going to touch your legs lol. It was well worth $15 and the 45 minutes felt like a good amount of time to swim. Parking is free and there are four changing stalls in the cave. Come dressed already. No bathrooms inside but there are some very close by. Pictures inside were taken on my mom's phone unfortunately. As pictured there's no steep inclines or declines to enter. Very easy process.

This was a great first time experience but I probably wouldn't go back again. The water was Luke warm, not the hot springs that I expected and in reality, the best part was the first 5 minutes of excited feelings. I am by no means poo-pooing this experience as I highly recommend it for a site to see, I guess my expectations were just set a little high. They do have 5 changing rooms inside but I highly recommend wearing your bathing suit in and a robe if you have one! They have lockers and provide you a key at no charge and also provide plastic bags for your wet clothes at the end. All in all, the fact that we went and saw it was worth it. It is definitely an amazing experience for oddball things to do and this is definitely not a normal experience you will ever get again!!

While dipping into the crater water is an experience the customer service, lack of pleasant accommodations to change and or space what could have been a luxurious experience was kind of lack luster. In other words, do not go into this thinking you will have a locker room to change or think that it will be a spa like experience. It's pretty bare bones. Once you are in the water it is a cool experience and soothing. Just go into it eyes wide open. Keep in mind it is also used as a diving school so I think it's more geared for that then anything else.

I found this place on line. It's at a resort but you can just go and swim. Price is extremely reasonable and it's a natural hot spring. The water was very nice and warm and there was a lot of changing rooms. You also has locker you can put your things in. If you're ever in the area this is a must go to.

1 of 2 natural springs in the US where you can swim in. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time as they book up quick. Prices are affordable and the staff are accommodating. Most times, you can add to sold out reservations if you call in. The inside temps at 90-92 degrees on average. They have changing rooms inside the crater and bathrooms outside of the crater. Bring your own towels, but they do provide life jackets which MUST be worn at all times when visiting. The visit is about 40 minutes long. Great experience for all ages.

The water temperature was perfect. So relaxing and felt great on my skin. Highly recommend visiting the crater if you're ever in Utah.

Amazing family experience! The warm water is magical and so calming, the cave it's self is beautiful can't wait to come back! Cheap activity worth the money and much more!

The experience is worth it to swim in the crater and have the experience of having warm water below you and it being 65 feet deep. But overall underwhelming and super packed. Having to make reservations is good but still a ton of people that it makes it not very enjoyable.

Consistent with what others were saying, customer service is not a thing here. If I have anything new to contribute, that is, make sure you bring the tiny slip of soak and stay package voucher from the homestead resort if you purchased it from there. Yes, in this day and age, they still take hard copy paper. My god!!!! Other than the check in hiccup, this place is quite amazing. The soak is very short, just 40 minutes and because an e-mail confirmation doesn't work, I also had to go back to my hotel to grab my paper printout showing the package. That means I had maybe 30 minutes at most here. I think that's way too short for the price I paid. Overall, this is a great place to stop by if you happen to be in the area and have never gone down to the crater.

We reserved a couple of days ahead for a 7.30pm swim time and it was great. We came in our swimsuits and had a truly relaxing hour - even the kids enjoyed it - and hence I didn't mind the life vests at all! It wasn't overcrowded, and the water was clear enough to see some of the formation on the bottom side. Would definitely come back for the experience!

The crater was a great experience. We made our appointment a few days ahead of time (appointments are required). After an easy check in, we found the crater entrance and walked into the tunnel that leads to the hot springs. We changed to our suits in one of the very small changing rooms, asked for a lock for one of the lockers, grabbed a life vest for each of us (life vests are required), and settled in for about 40 minutes of pure bliss, soaking in a natural hot springs. The temperature of the water was perfect, about 90 degrees. There were about 20 fellow soakers, and there was plenty of room for all. Looking up, you can see the sky through the crater's opening. There is a bridge across the opening, so when we were finished with the hot springs, we walked to the top of the crater and took in the mountain views.

We drove here to check out the famous "Crater". My friends and I were really excited about this because the photos looked pretty unique and sick. Check in was a breeze and after we did we walked in to the crater, showed our receipt, got a life jacket and starting to enjoy the hot springs. The water was really warm - about 90 degrees - and very calm. It wasnt too crowded so you can definitely take some cool photos. If you want, you can also snorkel and scuba dive. They tell you its 40min max in the water but no one is checking. However, that is the perfect amount of time before you get tired and or bored. Really unique experience.

We grabbed a Groupon here and called to set up an appt. for a Friday afternoon. They told me to already be wearing our bathing suits before we arrived, but then we found out there are changing stations/opportunities everywhere on site. If only they knew the HASSLE we went through to get changed in our car on the side of a road after lunch. Never again! We had to pay an extra $12+ for both of us since the Groupon was only valid M-TH. We hung out in the shade on our towels as they are strict sticking to the appt. times. When the appt. time approaches, you have to wait outside the crater "until they come get you" (per the girls in the activity shack), but no one came out when our time came, and mostly everyone just stood there waiting. We ended up just following a couple independent peeps who walked inside. You walk through a damp kinda cave and pass by some lockers where you can put your personal belongings. I wish they told us about these beforehand and how they're free! They give you a lock and key to use while you're there. Easy-peasy. You give your receipt to the lady working the cave, and then she tells you how it all works. She didn't pay attention to how we rented snorkel gear so it wasn't offered despite us paying for it, but ended up deciding to just let it go since the cave started piling up with families and their kids. It was getting a bit claustrophobic in that cave. The lady pointed out where all the life vests were and what the sizes were, then pointed to my friend and said "You get the petite", then looked at me and told me to go get the Medium. I was like uhhhh, what a boost of confidence. B--- I can figure out my vest size without your help, thank you very much! Anyway, the water is just as blue as it looks in the pics. GORGEOUS. There was quite a large scuba diving class in there along with our fellow floaters. It kept freaking me out when I would see or hear them beneath us, and the hot spring bubbles push everything to the outside. You definitely have to keep working to stay away from the walls (which is one of the rules). There was an older lady who took it upon herself to tattle tale on some middle-aged women who didn't know they had to wear their life vests the entire time, so they got a talkin' to. Look out for the "do-gooders" if you feelin' a bit rebellious. Water is more than luke warm, not too hot. Pretty perfect for as long as you're in there or else I'd probably be getting in and out the whole time. It would be great to go on a date or with a friend like mine who likes to play around. We pretended to be otters and floated/swam around, tried to do flips in the water with our vests on, etc. Challenge accepted. Great time overall, would definitely come back to this glorious hole in the ground... that happens to be next to a golf course.

I'm sure this would be amazing if you could see the sky and blue waters while doing a peaceful yoga class. My sister was excited to take me here thinking it would be serene and we'd see the sky and feel the falling rain coming through the hole but huge mistake of going at night. Not zen or peaceful in the slightest, just felt like we were at a rec center. Noise of kids (they need an adult only night) BRIGHT BRIGHT lights, couldn't even see the sky, and the loud noise of compressor filling up scuba tanks. The complete opposite of relaxing. I've been to many mineral spas and all have been relaxing, this is just an experience, so go with that in mind.