Fifth Water Hot Springs, also known as Diamond Fork Hot Springs, is a must visit destination for any hot springs lovers. This area features incredible views, stunning waterfalls, and extremely well designed hot springs which creates an incredible experience. This area is heavily trafficked and well known, so here’s everything you should know before making the trek!

Distance – 4.5 miles round trip (7.24 km)
Height – 6,223 feet (1837.03 m)
Elevation gain – 948 feet (288.95 meters)
Duration –  4-5 hours
Difficulty – Intermediate
Trailhead Location –  Three Forks Trailhead: Directions To Trailhead (Parking info below)

Here is some of our drone footage highlighting the incredible views from this hike:

There are two routes to the various hot spring pools. We talk about both options below.

This is the most common route to the hot springs. Hikers may need to add to the distance here by hiking along the road if the parking lot is full and they need to hike in a legal spot along the road.

Hikers start by the trailhead next to the vault toilets and follow the well traveled trail. There is a junction at the start. Hikers stay left here.

The trail is very easy to follow and well traveled. Most of the trail is very simple walking and hiking, however, a couple sections have been washed away and make for difficult hiking where ropes have been placed to help hikers avoid falling.

This route is similar difficulty to the most common approach, and follows lesser traveled trails. There is parking at the trailhead. This options is described here.

In the winter months, the road is generally open, making this an awesome hike! After snowfall, it is possible that the Forest Service will close the road 5 miles from the trailhead temporarily. Check the Forest Service site, or give them a call to check if there has been recent snowfall.

The road is called: Diamond Fork road #029

This Facebook page also often has information as it is the Facebook page for the local Forest Service.

We have created an online map and GPX file you can download and see:

GPX file for Three Forks Trailhead (main route)

GPX file for Jays Valley Trailhead

There are campsites located shortly below and above the hot springs that can be amazing options for backpackers, or those that want to enjoy this area for more than just a day hike. The rules and regulations for backpacking fall within the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest.

Here is the detailed weather forecast for the next few days. We highly recommend you check out local weather the morning of your hike.

Tonight
Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy. Low around 33, with temperatures rising to around 35 overnight. West wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday
A chance of snow showers before 3pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy. High near 43, with temperatures falling to around 41 in the afternoon. West wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32. North northeast wind 3 to 10 mph.

Friday
Sunny, with a high near 55. Southeast wind around 8 mph.

Friday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36. South wind 6 to 9 mph.

Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Saturday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 41.

It is important to know that this parking lot does fill up quite fast on weekends, holidays, or nice weather days. If you plan on coming during a high traffic time, we suggest planning to arrive either very early, or later in the day to avoid the crowds and get parking.

When the parking lot is full, there are some pull offs on the road where you can park and walk both before and after this trailhead. There are many areas that have no parking signs, so be sure to follow those signs or you will likely get a ticket.

Directions to Three Forks Trailhead: This is the most commonly used approach and hikers start from the bottom and work their way up to the hot springs.

Direction to Rays Valley Road Trailhead: This is less common, and hikers start from above the hot springs, and hike their way down to them.

Some of the larger pools

One shallow hot spring pool

Looking at some of the first pools before the falls.

Views of the falls from the trail above