Four miles south of Fillmore, just west of the small farming community of Meadow, three geothermal pools emerge from the ground in an open pasture — clear, warm, and remarkably beautiful for something sitting in the middle of an agricultural field. Meadow Hot Springs is technically private property. It is open to the public only because the landowner continues to allow it — a generosity that depends entirely on visitors behaving responsibly. The site has no official management, no fee station, and no infrastructure beyond a graded path and a gate with posted rules. What happens here depends on the people who come.

We visited twice — May 5, 1995 and September 20, 2017.

The Pools

Three distinct pools make up the Meadow Hot Springs complex, connected by a graded walking path from the parking area.

The Main Pool — the warmest and most impressive. Water temperature hovers around 100°F. The pool is remarkably deep and clear — adults can stand chest-deep around the perimeter and the bottom is visible in detail despite the depth. A rope with a large PVC pipe across the center provides a place to sit and float. The clarity is maintained by a constant inflow of fresh geothermal water that flows off at a steady rate, feeding a small stream. Two smaller trails lead from the parking area — the southern trail reaches this main pool, the western trail leads to the two additional pools.

The Second Pool — along the western trail, similar clarity to the main pool but not as deep. A wooden dock hangs over the deeper end. Cooler than the main pool — more comfortable in summer heat, less appealing on a cold day.

The Third Pool — continuing south on the western trail. The most variable pool in condition — water clarity and temperature fluctuate more than the other two. Deepest of the three with no shallow edges for sitting.

A January 2026 visitor noted fish swimming in two of the pools — a detail that adds to the ecosystem character of the site. The geothermal water supports aquatic life that has adapted to the constant temperature and mineral content.

The Rules — Why They Matter

The landowner has posted rules at the gate — read them before entering and follow them completely. No diving. No entering underwater openings. No climbing fences. No treating the property as a developed recreation site. Clothing is required. Pack out all waste — every piece of it.

This site remains open only because past visitors have behaved well enough to justify continued public access. Irresponsible use has caused damage and created tension with the landowner. Do not be the reason this closes. Pick up any trash you find — we filled a small bag with beer cans on our visit. Leave it better than you found it.

Our Visits

May 5, 1995 — Glen and I with Friends

Glen and I visited with a group of close friends — seven of us in total. An early visit when this place was far less known than it is today. We were rewarded with a rainbow during our time at the springs — one of those spontaneous moments that turns a good stop into a memorable one. The main pool was running clear and full, the setting as quietly remarkable as it remains today.

September 20, 2017 — Luca, Alexis, and I

Part of a 30-day road trip through Utah, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California — one of the more ambitious trips on the AZ Places record. Meadow was a stop of many..

The main pool had changed noticeably from the 1995 visit. The water level was lower — no longer running over the top and feeding the stream. The temperature appeared lower as well. Young fish were visible in the pool — a sign of a calmer, less actively flowing water column. We were concerned about the health of the water table and what might be changing in the aquifer feeding these springs.

We saw the second pool for the first time on this visit — large, with groups of fish swimming through it. We didn't get in. The fish presence and the pool's character on this visit made it a watching rather than soaking experience.

We also checked out the third pool — completing all three on this visit in a way the 1995 trip hadn't covered.

Near Meadow on the same stop we visited the Lava Tubes — worth adding to any Meadow Hot Springs visit as a complementary side trip a short distance away.

Getting There

The approach road is unpaved and can become muddy or rutted after poor weather — check conditions before visiting. The walk from the parking area to the pools is approximately half a mile on a graded path. No facilities on site — no restrooms, no water, no trash cans. Everything you bring in, you take out.