Although widely perceived to be one big desert, Utah actually enjoys a varied landscape home to mountains, canyons, plateaus, volcanoes, and indeed, hot springs.
While there are several hot springs to explore in Utah, this isn’t the first destination to visit for nude bathing. It’s illegal to strip down to your birthday suit in public in most cases, even to get into a hot spring.
To avoid getting on the wrong side of the local law, always ensure an establishment specifically allows nude bathing. That said, there are some Utah hot springs that are clothing optional. Let’s take a closer look at the clothing optional hot springs in Utah and what you need to know before you visit.
Clothing Optional Hot Springs in Utah
- Baker Hot Spring, Delta
- Meadow Hot Springs, Fillmore
- Diamond Fork Hot Springs, Springville
- Stinking Springs, Corinne
1. Baker Hot Springs, Delta
Baker Hot Springs, which is located on Fumarole Butte, to the northwest of Delta, is one of the few clothing-optional springs in Utah. There are three pools in total, which are fed by a scorching hot spring.
As far as hot springs go, this is one of the more primitive options and is surrounded by other mineral pools that are entrenched in the nearby hills.
Outdoor Project recommends exercising extreme caution when visiting Baker Hot Springs as some of the nearby pools are hot enough to cause injury or even death.
The area is largely unregulated and there’s a lack of signage indicating which pools are too hot to enter, so visitors will have to use their best judgment and always test pools before jumping in.
The pools themselves feature three concrete tubs, which tend to provide an intimate soaking experience when there are a lot of people at the springs. There is a cooler flow on site which visitors can use to cool the scalding water and set the temperature to their liking.
In general, the springs rarely get crowded, and they are located on public land, so camping nearby is permitted. However, pets are not permitted at the springs.
Despite Utah’s strict anti-nudity laws, Baker Hot Springs does appear to be a clothing-optional location, as detailed by the travel bloggers at The Salt Project. That said, it’s not compulsory to soak nude in the springs; just be prepared for the fact that you may run into other soakers who are.
2. Meadow Hot Springs, Fillmore
Meadow Hot Springs is one of the most famous hot spring locations in Utah. This is another basic hot spring with rock walls, however, it is considered to be a beautiful destination thanks to its clear water and natural setting.
The three hot springs that make-up Meadow Hot Springs is set on private property, and are open all year round, however, it is best to visit in the spring or fall seasons to avoid the extreme weather.
No admission fees are required, however, visitors are asked not to leave a trace by cleaning up after themselves before they leave.
You can experience both shallow and deeper pools here. The shallow pools tend to be heated to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, while the deeper pools can reach 120 degrees.
As far as being clothing optional goes, there are mixed reports, with Top Hot Springs reporting that clothing is optional but other sources maintaining that there was once a sign on the premises that prevented nude bathing.
Now that the sign has been removed, some visitors assume that the owner is okay with clothing-optional bathing.
To be completely safe, it’s a good idea to check with the owners before stripping off, considering Utah’s strict laws. If you happen to be the only person at the pools, you’ll likely have more freedom to soak in the nude.
However, Meadow Springs is considered a family-friendly establishment, so that may change if there are children using the pools.
The hot springs tend to attract families because they are not too hot for children to swim in, and they feature ropes stretched out across the deepest parts so kids and nervous swimmers can hold on while they traverse the pools.
3. Diamond Fork Hot Springs, Springville
Sometimes called Fifth Water Hot Springs, Diamond Fork is located around 30 minutes from Provo, Utah. Featuring a cascading waterfall and a five-mile hiking trail, this is another popular Utah hot spring that many people visit throughout the year, and is considered to be one of Utah’s most beautiful.
Part of the allure is the milky blue water and the tranquil creek that runs adjacent to the hot springs, making it seem like a scene from a postcard. If you can’t make it on a weekday, visit either early in the morning or late on the weekend.
Keep in mind there is still a law against nude bathing in Utah, but many visitors tend to soak nude at Diamond Fork. Again, judge the situation accordingly. If there are many other soakers using the pools at the same time, you may want to leave your swimsuit on.
The hike to reach the hot springs features 700 feet of elevation gain and usually takes around an hour from the trailhead to the springs.
With this in mind, it’s a good idea to bring the appropriate hiking attire, even if you do want to take your chances and soak nude when you get to the springs. This is especially important if you’re visiting in winter, as Utah winters can be freezing.
There are several small pools to choose from, but if it’s crowded, you may not have much choice. If you want to stay overnight, there are a few points along the trail that are ideal for setting up a campsite.
The hot springs are pet-friendly, but dogs can’t actually enter the water and must be kept on a leash at all times.
4. Stinky Hot Springs, Corinne
Situated in the town of Corinne, Stinky Hot Springs offers another minimalistic hot spring experience in Utah. Sometimes called Old Indian Springs, the pools consist of three cement baths on private land, but public access is granted.
As you might have guessed from the name, there are high levels of sulfur at the hot springs.
The area has traditionally been used for geothermal bathing, with its use dating back to the 19th century, and there was originally an indoor bath house on the property. However, this was torn down in 2002 due to the fear of trapping sulfurous gas inside.
Since the 2020 earthquake that hit the area, the water at Stinky Hot Springs has been between 109 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Prior to this, the water was cooler than 104 degrees.
There aren’t too many rules to follow at Stinky Hot Springs, and clothing is optional. Pets are welcome in the area but are not allowed in the water itself, and camping is prohibited. It is also open through all seasons.
Note that Stinky Hot Springs is one of the less popular locations in Utah for thermal bathing due to the smell, green-tinged water, and primitive facilities.
According to Ultimate Hot Springs, the Health Department denied giving a permit to the landowners, as “neither the water nor the facility meets minimum health standards for bathing.”
Nevertheless, this is one of the few options for clothing-optional bathing in Utah, so it does still attract some visitors. If you are planning on nude bathing here, keep in mind that the springs are located just a short distance from the highway.