It was covid and we were all desperate for adventure. So we found the safest way to get out and adventure. Utah is filled with remarkable beauty, mainly known for its arches and incredible rock formations. While road trippin we found some other beautiful destinations - hot springs, rocks, and glamping, which all in all made for the perfect (adventurous) girl trip.
When planning your trip keep in mind that Utah gets very hot and very cold. We went in May and it was already pretty toasty - so plan accordingly.
Here are a few of the adventures we embarked on.
Under the Canvas - Moab
These magical tents are located in the prime location to visit Arches and Canyonlands, The property is very accommodating with fire pits, grills, live music, games and more. It was very kid friendly as well. We drove up the road to the local grocery store to get food to grill came back to watch the sunset and enjoyed the chill concert.
The tents are a little pricy- but the whole experience was worth it- the true definition of glamping!
They even offered a free yoga class in the morning which was a perfect way to start our day.
Mystic Springs
Thanks to Pintrest and Instagram it brought us to these awesome hotsprings in the middle of well....nowhere, aka Monroe, Utah. The soaking area consists of two concrete pools and six vintage cast iron bathtubs.
I highly recommend scheduling you soak around sunset to watch the mountains and rocks turn beautiful rich colors. The hot springs are also used as an acoustic concert venue, The “Hill,” as it’s often called. Where else can you soak in an outdoor bathtub while watching a live band perform?
The temperatures of the soaking areas are usually between 99-110 degrees. For you clean freaks, the bathtubs are drained and cleaned a few times daily and with a consistent flow the water stays clean. There is a cloudy appearance, which is naturally occurring due to the minerals in the water - there is no sulfur in the water.
Mystic does have accommodations if you want to stay over night, but they are very eclectic, so be prepared. They also have a bath house you can use to change into swim wear. We staid at a little B&B near by - it was fine, but there really isn't much to do in the town of Monroe, Utah...or I should say nothing at all. That being said, make sure you have food packed. We had a little picnic and some wine while we soaked and hung on the property...which included a whole photoshoot.
Fifth Water Hot Springs
Also known as Diamond Fork Hot Springs, is a beautiful placed tucked into the Uinta National Forest. It is about a 4.5 mile hike round trip - very moderate hiking. Make sure you pack a towel and swim suit, you will want to go for a soak! It is a beautiful hike both covered by trees along a river and exposed on some rock.
From the Three Forks Trailhead, begin hiking on the trail that starts at the south end of the parking area. You will quickly encounter a junction with a trail that crosses the river on a footbridge. Continue hiking straight on the east side of the river.
About a mile in you’ll likely smell the sulfur and see steam rising from the water well before arriving at the hot springs. The distance from the Sixth Water Bridge to the hot springs is just over a mile.
Once at the hot springs note that the hottest springs are located near the waterfall at the top of the soaking pots. At least two more pots are located upstream from the waterfall, however they may be too hot to soak in. The water at the source of the hot spring near the upper pools is approximately 120 degrees.
This is a great adventure for any season, note that if you go in the winter, there will most likely be snow. Upside to that, in the winter, the pools turn a florescent blue color, which is pretty remarkable.
Since it was only about an hour and a half drive to Salt Lake City, after we hiked we made our way into town and found ourselves at a local brewery to chill for happy hour.
There were many other adventures along the way, but these were just a few spots we hit that aren't on most people's lists.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
Be safe and happy dreaming!
XOXO,
T