Do you want to visit the Homestead Crater in winter, but have no idea what to expect? Same, friend. Same.
At the beginning of 2023, I made it a goal to go on a local adventure every month. One of the things at the tippity top of my list was the visit the Homestead Crater in winter. Something about soaking in a hot spring crater while the world outside was blanketed in snow…just hit me in all the feels.
BUT! It was another one of those moments where most of my friends up to that point either hadn’t gone before, didn’t want to go, or couldn’t see the adventure behind visiting the Homestead Crater in winter.
Boo to all them, and yay to my current roommates who were down for an adventure!
We had a lot of questions, as I’m sure you do as well. So let’s talk about them as I tell you how to visit the Homestead Crater in winter like we did.
What exactly IS the Homestead Crater?
The Homestead Crater is a geothermal spring located on the Homestead property in Midway, Utah. The spring is “hidden within a 55-foot tall, beehive-shaped limestone rock.” Access to the crater is through a tunnel carved out of the rock at ground-level. Although it would be cool to rappel through the oculus at the top, it wouldn’t be as accessible to most guests.
One of the coolest things about the crater is that it’s the only warm-watered scuba diving spot in the continental US. So don’t be surprised if your soak is accompanied by a scuba certifying class!
What is the difference between visiting the Homestead Crater in Winter vs other seasons?
The crater is open year-round, so there’s not much of a difference in visiting the homestead crater in winter versus any other time of year. There is however, the romanticism about soaking in a geological crater when you know the world outside is covered in a blanket of snow.
When it’s warm outside, or even pleasant, it doesn’t seem as refreshing to soak in a hot tub. I prefer to do it when I’m cold or it’s cold outside. Plus when you exit the crater in the snow and your whole body is steaming from the contrast, it makes it that much special.
Plus, soaking in the Homestead Crater in winter is one of the most unique things you can do in Salt Lake City in the winter.
How to get to the Homestead Crater
The Homestead Crater is located in Midway, Utah, at the Homestead Resort, about 45-50 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City.
The best way to get to the crater is by private car. You could also order an Uber or Lyft ride, although you might have some trouble getting a ride back. There aren’t too many Uber/Lyft drivers that hang out around Midway, so you might get stuck and have to call a taxi. There aren’t any public transportation options to get out to the crater, either.
What to wear to the Homestead Crater
When you visit the Homestead Crater in winter, it is advisable to come already wearing your bathing/swimming suit underneath your clothing. Yes, there are changing rooms, but you want to maximize your soak time. The water is warm enough that you don’t need to worry about wearing long sleeved shirts or rash guards.
What to pack/bring with you
It is a requirement to wear a life jacket when you soak in the crater, but you don’t need to bring your own. The group that manages the crater will provide a life jacket for each person. They have a wide variety, so don’t worry about finding the perfect fit!
A warm change of clothes! You can put the clothes you wore to the crater back on, but you’ll want something warm underneath when you remove your wet bathing suit. I do not recommend wearing wet clothing outside in the winter.
Bring a waterproof camera like a GoPro! Or even just use one of those waterproof phone cases to take pictures. I personally brought my GoPro Max with a floating bobber so it wouldn’t sink!
You’ll need a towel to dry off with/warm up after you climb out of the crater. Although the water is warm and the air in the dome is warmer than outside, it’s still a little bit of a shock to your skin.
A dry bag to put all of your wet clothes in after you change. You can also use this to bring your dry clothes to the crater.
How to book your visit to the Homestead Crater
You need to make a reservation to visit the Homestead Crater. Reservations are done online and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reservations are for 1-hour time slots, starting on the :30.
There are a limited amount of time slots for every hour session. This ensures crowd-control at the crater. The booking website displays the remaining slots available for each hour and will only let you book up to that amount. So if you have a group of 10 and the time slot you want only has 9 available, pick another slot and don’t be a diva about it.
Once you’ve gone through the steps to book and pay for the time slot(s), you’re receive an email confirmation and you’re all set!
Tips to making the most of your visit to the Homestead Crater in Winter
Midway is a quaint little mountain town. Snow pack and road conditions will be different from Salt Lake City and even Park City. Make sure to check road conditions and the weather before you head up to ensure enough travel time.
Be waiting outside of the crater entrance 5 minutes before your time slot begins. When I say you have an hour time slot, you have just that. Any delay on your end just eats into the soak time. You’ll get a quick briefing when you enter the crater about safety and the history of the crater, but you get into the water pretty quickly after. This is why I recommend wearing your swimwear under your clothes. It limits the amount of time wasted.
If you’re like me and like to take pictures, show up a little early to get the exterior shots. Once you have wet hair, you’re not going to want to stand around in the cold and snow to take pictures. Especially if you have little kids.
Is it worth visiting the Homestead Crater in Winter?
In a word? Yes.
The crater is open year-round, but there’s just something extra magical about soaking in the crater, steam obscuring your view of the walls, knowing the winter wonderland that is just outside. While the world is dark and cold outside, being able to soak and splash around in super warm water with friends and family is just a treat.
Have you visited the Homestead Crater in winter before? Would you add this to your winter itinerary of things to do?
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