Homestead Crater

What to expect

Homestead Crater is not a hot spring in the usual sense. You do not soak in an open pool under the sky. You walk into a hollow limestone mound on the grounds of the Homestead resort in Midway and find a round pool of clear blue water at the bottom of it.

The mound, or dome, is about 55 feet tall and close to 400 feet across at the base, and it has been building up from mineral deposits for more than 10,000 years (the resort gives figures between 10,000 and 12,000 years in different places). Light comes in through an opening at the top, so in daytime a column of sunlight falls on the water. Steam collects under the roof in cold weather, and the space echoes.

The water is mineral-rich and naturally warm. The resort gives a range of 90-96°F32-36°C year-round. That is warm, not hot. Expect something like a heated swimming pool rather than a hot tub. Most people float more than they sit, partly because the pool is deep: around 65 feet at its deepest point. There are no benches or shallow ledges in the main water, so everyone wears a life vest, which the staff hand out.

You can do more than soak here. The Crater runs swimming sessions, snorkeling, scuba dives for certified divers, and introductory dive programs. It is known as a place to log dives at altitude in warm water, so you may share the pool with a dive class working near the bottom. You can also climb to an observation deck on top of the dome for views over the Heber Valley and the Wasatch Range.

Getting there

The Crater is on the Homestead resort property at 700 North Homestead Drive, Midway, in the Heber Valley.

• From Salt Lake City: Take I-80 east into Parleys Canyon, then US-40 east toward Heber City. In Heber, head west on the road toward Midway, then follow signs to Homestead Drive on the north side of Midway. Visit Utah puts the drive at about 45 minutes.
• From Provo: Take US-189 up Provo Canyon to Heber City, then go west to Midway.
• From Park City: Take US-40 south toward Heber and cut west to Midway.

Enter through the main Homestead entrance and park in the main lot west of the Crater. The check-in point for the Crater is next to the dome. The walk from the lot is short and paved. Once inside, you go down to water level, so if anyone in your group has limited mobility, call ahead and ask about the route in.

When to go

The Crater is open all year, and the water temperature barely changes with the seasons, so the outside weather mostly decides how it feels. Winter is the most popular time. Snow sits on the dome, the air inside stays warm and humid, and a 90-96°F32-36°C float feels good when it is below freezing outside. Summer is busier with families and dive groups, and on a hot day the water can feel tepid.

Weekday mornings are your best chance at a quieter session. Weekends and holidays sell out first.

Plan around spring 2027. The resort says the Crater will close for renovations in April and May 2027, with improvements planned in the run-up to summer 2027. Check the website before you book anything for those months.

Prices and booking

• Soak: $30 per person for a 1-hour session (2026 rate). Sessions are booked in 60-minute blocks, and about 40 minutes of that is in the water.
• Swim, snorkel and scuba: The resort does not publish these prices online. Snorkel gear can be added to any swim session, and dive equipment is available to rent. Contact The Crater for current rates.
• Booking: Use the Book Now link on the resort’s Crater page, or call (435) 657-3840. Reservations are strongly recommended, and slots fill quickly. Walk-ins are taken only if there is space.
• Arrival: You cannot go in before your slot starts, so arrive on time rather than early.
• Hours: Soak and swim sessions run 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends. Diving runs noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends.
• Hotel packages: Some Homestead room packages include one Crater soak per person for up to two guests. You still need to book the soak separately by calling or emailing The Crater.

Rules and what is included

• Life vests are required for everyone in the water, the whole time. The staff provide them in sizes from infant to very large adult.
• No free-diving. Only supervised or certified scuba diving goes below the surface.
• Divers need a signed waiver, proof of certification and a dive buddy. Staff may buddy with you if one is free. Intro to Diving needs a medical form and waiver in advance and does not count as a certification.
• Age limits: Children are welcome with an adult. Discover Scuba and Intro to Diving start at age 10.
• Facilities: Changing stalls and storage lockers are on site, with restrooms next to the Activity Center. Towels may be on sale, but the resort suggests bringing your own.
• Swimwear: This is a family resort pool. Wear a swimsuit.

Where to stay nearby

• Homestead resort itself is the obvious base. You can walk from your room to the Crater, and some packages include a soak.
• Midway has other inns, cabins and vacation rentals within a few minutes’ drive.
• Heber City, about 4 miles east, has chain motels, restaurants and fuel.
• Wasatch Mountain State Park, on the edge of Midway, has campgrounds if you would rather sleep outside.
• Park City is close enough for a day trip if you are staying there for skiing.

Safety notes

• Deep water: The pool is around 65 feet deep with no shallow end. Keep the life vest on and keep children within reach, even with vests.
• Warm, humid air: The dome traps heat and moisture. If you feel lightheaded, get out and sit in the cooler air near the entrance for a while.
• Wet surfaces: Decks and steps inside the dome stay wet. Walk slowly and wear sandals with grip.
• Diving at altitude: Midway sits well above sea level, so dive tables and flying or driving over high passes afterward need extra care. Follow the dive staff’s briefing.

Nearby stops worth adding

Midway itself is worth a walk for its Swiss-style buildings and small cafes. Wasatch Mountain State Park has hiking, a golf course and fall color in the hills above town. In winter, Soldier Hollow, inside the state park, has groomed cross-country ski trails.