Fifth Water Hot Springs — better known to generations of Utahns as Diamond Fork Hot Springs — is one of the most beloved soaks in the state: a series of steaming, blue-green mineral pools tucked beside a waterfall in a pretty canyon southeast of Provo. A scenic drive up Diamond Fork Canyon and a riverside hike of about 2.5 miles each way lead to the reward, where hot water tumbles down a travertine hillside into a staircase of rock pools ranging from pleasantly warm to a toasty 105–110°F at the source.

The pools sit right where Fifth Water Creek meets a small waterfall, and part of the fun is choosing your spot. As you come into view of the falls you'll see a few pools perched just above the creek; more line the base of the waterfall, including shallow soakers and spots where you can nudge the rocks around to mix hot spring water with cool creek water and dial in your own temperature. Wander behind and beyond the waterfall and you'll find a couple of quieter, more secluded pools — just watch the slick, mineral-coated rock, which can be treacherously slippery. The water carries a faint sulfur smell and stains everything a milky blue-green; it's all part of the character.

A few practical notes make the trip smoother. There's nowhere private to change at the springs, so most people hike in their swimwear (and on a sunny day you'll dry off easily on the walk out). Bring water shoes or sandals if your feet are tender — the rocky pool bottoms and short scrambles are much friendlier with something on your feet. This is a relaxed, come-as-you-are place with a longstanding clothing-optional streak, so groups with kids may occasionally encounter suit-free soakers, especially on quiet weekdays.

Timing matters more here than at most hikes. The Diamond Fork Road gate closes for winter (typically from around November into late spring), and when it's shut the hike balloons to roughly 12–13 miles round trip — a popular but serious snowshoe or ski outing rather than a casual stroll. When the road is open, it's about a 5-mile round trip. Fall, winter, and spring are the sweetest seasons: cooler air makes the hot water far more inviting and the crowds thinner. The springs are busiest on weekends and holidays, so go early or midweek if you can, and note that a trailhead parking fee has been proposed for this popular spot, so come prepared for one.

Come prepared and tread lightly. Rattlesnakes are active along the sun-warmed trail in the warmer months — on a hot day you may well spot several snakes, most of them harmless, so simply watch where you step and reach. Carry plenty of drinking water — a long hot soak is dehydrating — and pack out everything you bring; broken glass and litter have been a real problem here, and keeping this gem clean is on all of us. Dogs are welcome on the trail. With a little planning, Fifth Water rewards you with one of the finest hot-spring soaks in the Wasatch — a waterfall at your back, canyon walls above, and warm mineral water swirling all around.