PARK CITY HIKING FIELD GUIDE
Limestone Crater Soak: A Two‑Hour Hike Rewarded by a 55‑ft Geothermal Hot Pot Near Park City
A four‑hour outing that pairs a scenic 2‑hour hike with a 40‑minute soak in a mineral‑rich limestone crater heated from 5,000 ft below the surface—this guide explains what to expect and what to pack.
Limestone Crater Soak: A Two‑Hour Hike Rewarded by a 55‑ft Geothermal Hot Pot Near Park City.
Set out from Park City for a deliberately simple two‑part adventure: a scenic, guided 2‑hour hike followed by a short drive to a dome‑shaped limestone crater where you’ll soak in mineral‑rich water warmed naturally to roughly 90–96°F. The reward is elemental — heat, buoyancy and quiet in a 55‑ft tall crater fed from deep underground — all packaged into a roughly four‑hour experience run by Mountain Vista Touring.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A Dome‑Shaped Limestone Crater
The soak takes place in a 55‑ft tall, dome‑shaped limestone crater — a striking geological bowl that holds naturally heated, mineral‑rich water sourced from deep below the surface.
Two Hours of Trail Before a Short Drive
This is a two‑part outing: expect a guided 2‑hour hike, then a short drive (the crater is about 20 minutes from Park City) to the soak site. Note: participants do not hike all the way to the crater.
Mineral‑Rich Waters at Comfortable Soak Temperatures
The crater’s waters range roughly from 90° to 96°F and are described as therapeutic; the schedule includes a 40‑minute soak after the hike to recover and relax.
What the day feels like
What the Outing Feels Like
The outing moves at two distinct paces: a steady, aerobic two‑hour hike led by your guide that earns the reward to come, then a short transfer to a secluded limestone crater where you settle into warm, mineral‑rich water for about 40 minutes. Total door‑to‑door time is roughly four hours, and the itinerary is designed so the physical exertion of the trail is directly offset by the restorative soak.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing suits — and who should look elsewhere.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Dress in layers; bring sunglasses and sunscreen, a swimsuit, towel, flip‑flops for the soak, and a change of clothes for after the soak.
Plan on approximately four hours total: a 2‑hour hike, a short drive to the crater (about 20 minutes from Park City), and a 40‑minute soak.
Rate is $225 per person; a minimum of two people is required to book and advanced reservations are recommended.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the whole outing?
Plan on 4 hours from start to finish: a guided 2‑hour hike, a short drive, and a 40‑minute soak.
What is the price per person?
The rate is $225 per person; there is a minimum of two people to book.
Do I hike all the way to the crater?
No — this is a two‑part adventure: you hike for two hours, then take a short drive to the crater. The operator does not hike to the crater.
How hot is the spring water?
Water temperatures generally range from about 90° to 96°F and the waters are fed from roughly 5,000 ft below the Earth’s surface.
Are there group or gratuity policies I should know about?
Yes — a minimum of two people is required to book, and a 20% gratuity will be added to groups of six or more.
Do fees and permits cost extra?
The advertised price includes all fees and passes.