For Unparalleled Swimming, Visit Utah's Hot Spring Crater
By Hillary Louise Johnson
VACATIONS
A hot spring that should be on travelers' bucket lists is the Homestead Crater, just outside of Midway, Utah. This geothermal wonder was formed 10,000 years ago.
Homestead Crater is a dome 55 feet tall and 400 feet wide, with a skylight at the top. Inside, the 65-foot-deep pool of mineral-rich water stays at a perpetual 90 to 96 degrees.
Reservations are for 40-minute sessions. Try to book your session between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., so that the sun is directly overhead and shining dramatically down into the water.
The crater isn't actually a crater, but a miniature volcanic caldera. Nearby is the freshly renovated Homestead Resort, built in the popular farmhouse modern style.
At Homestead Crater, you can snorkel or scuba dive and get your PADI certification. In winter, you can do a guided snowshoeing expedition and a stand up paddleboard yoga class.