Gandy Warm Springs: Utah’s Desert Oasis

KID RATINGS

Fun: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (out of 5)
Difficulty:     Very Easy    EASY   Moderate    Hard    Very Hard

KEY FEATURES

Terrain: Water, dirt, rocks, water cave
Time Needed: 1 to 2 hours
When to Go: Spring, Summer, Fall

COST

Free

AMENITIES

• None at Warm Springs site.

• Closest public amenities are at a gas station on the Utah/Nevada border 45 minutes away on U.S. 50.

• Bathrooms: If you go on a tour of the Crystal Ball Cave there are bathrooms at the Bates Family Ranch which is less than 10 minutes from the Warm Springs.

• Cabins and camping available at Bates Family Ranch just 10 minutes from Warm Springs

THINGS TO BRING

• Sunscreen

• Swim suit

• Water shoes/sandals

• Snacks/Lunch

• Water

• Googles

• Kid Floaties

• Headlamp

• Vehicle that can drive on dirt roads

DETAILS

Gandy Warms Springs is a fun way to cool off when exploring Utah’s West Desert. It is less than 1 hour from Great Basin National Park and only minutes from Devils Gate Slot Canyon and Crystal Ball Cave. The water temperature felt like it was in the 70s. The Utah Geological Survey says the water temperature can reach 81 degrees. The water feels cool on a hot summer day but warm in the cooler seasons.

There are three natural pool areas to visit at Gandy Warm Springs. Check out our Youtube of Gandy Warm Springs!

Middle Pool

The middle pool is the most popular with a small waterfall and a small underground cave to explore. You are able to drive right up to this pool. The pool features a small waterfall and flows into a small cave. 

The Cave

The cave was our favorite part. The greenery hanging made it feel like we were in Hawaii instead of the middle of the desert. Make sure to bring a headlamp so you can see in the cave. The water is about four feet deep in parts and you will have to duck and maneuver around low hanging rocks. I do not recommend the cave if you are claustrophobic.

Upper Pool

You walk to the upper pool from the middle pool. It is nestled up against the rocks above the middle pool. There were a few old men in this pool when we were there that kindly let my husband take a picture. The upper pool isn’t very deep and is more for sitting than swimming in. 

Lower Pool

The Lower Pool is located about 1/2 mile east of the Middle Pool and Cave. We drove from the middle pool to the lower pool.  The lower pool area is more of just an area in the river. It has more of a current to it in parts and is deeper than the other two pools. 

The kids really like this area. They played in the current with an attached rope and explored underwater with googles. This area was at least four feet deep in places. 

PROS & CONS

PROS

• Beautiful clear water

• Fun water cave exploration

• Location is remote, but close to a few other adventures. See below.

• Great way to cool off in the hot summer desert

CONS

• No amenities on site

Neutral

• Remote

• The spring doesn’t necessarily feel warm on a hot day

DIRECTIONS

Gandy Warm Springs is located near the ranching community of Gandy Utah in Utah’s West Desert near the Nevada Border. From Hwy 50/Hwy 6 you will turn North on the Gandy Highway and continue about another 28 miles. Gandy Highway is a dirt highway with little traffic.

You will turn left at the Gandy sign which is just before the Bates Family Ranch and continue another almost 3 miles. You will come to two forks in the road. Stay right with both. Follow my map below as there aren’t any signage on most of the desert dirt roads.

The last three miles is a rougher road which has one small area, about 10 feet, that is fairly sandy with a big bump. We were in a truck and did just fine. If you are worried about this part of the road, you can always park and walk the rest of the way. The main pool and cave are less than 1 mile from this sandy area. 

See my map below for the location of all three pools.

MAPS 

MORE INFO

Utah Geology Survey

OTHER NEARBY ADVENTURES

Crystal Ball Cave (10 mins)

Devil’s Gate Slot Canyon (20 mins)

Great Basin National Park (1 hour)

Hermits Cabin (1 hour 30 mins)

U-dig Fossil Quarry (2 hours)