A visit to the Homestead Crater in Heber Valley, Utah, is a fantastic experience. The geothermal hot spring is housed within limestone rock as a beehive. The Crater began formation some 10,000 years ago and is filled with rich minerals deposited by the heated spring water, making it the most prominent mineral dome in the area.
The 55-foot high Crater is now easily accessible through a tunnel built for easy access. If you visited the Crater before the tunnel was made, you’d have to rappel through the hole at the top to reach the water. Today visitors to the Crater enjoy scuba diving, swimming, snorkeling, therapeutic soaks, and yoga.
Take a Tour of the Crater
It’s free to have a look around, and you absolutely must make use of this opportunity. Climb to the top of the Crater and peek down to the hot pool. Or go through the tunnel to the inner area and get a firsthand view of the inside of the Crater. The staff is helpful and eager to answer any questions you may have. Learn about the history, geology, and unique features of the Crater.
Swim, Soak, or Snorkel
For a fulfilling experience at the Homestead Crater, sign up for one or all of the offered activities. Since it is a remote location, making your reservations in advance is wise. Guests can enjoy swimming, soaking, snorkeling, or paddleboard yoga inside the Crater. Each activity has a different time slot, so be sure to check availability.
Scuba Diving
One of the main popular activities at the Homestead is scuba diving. Offering the only warm scuba diving destination in the continental US, the Crater is a favorite with new and advanced scuba divers. While there is no aquatic life, the walls are covered with mineral deposits. The spring reaches a depth of about 65 feet.
For those wanting to learn scuba diving, courses are offered for beginners. A fully equipped dive shop is on-site to rent equipment for your dives. You can avoid wearing a wetsuit for your dive since the mineral water ranges from 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit.
Best Time to Visit
Weekends are busier, so the best to visit is during the week. Everyone must wear life jackets inside the spring; however, there is an area called the ‘hot tub’ where you can remove your life jackets, sit on the benches, and soak in the thermal springs. Ideal for when you’ve just returned from a skiing trip.
Homestead Crater Resort
The Crater is located within the Homestead Crater Resort complex with its geothermal spring. The Crater is open to the public for a fee or is included with a resort package. The resort also features indoor and outdoor pools heated with warm mineral water from the Crater. Website. Reservations are required to swim and snorkel at the crater. Website
Getting There
Heber Valley is south of Park City and 40 miles from Salt Lake City in northern Utah. Also in the area is the Heber Valley Railroad. A tourist train takes passengers on a 16-mile round-trip journey from downtown Heber City.
Do we have to make a reservation? How much ?
Yes you have to make a reservation to make a reservation. https://www.utahcrater.com/
How far is the crater from Main Street Park City area?
20 miles – about a 40 min drive.