One-of-a-Kind Experience

The Crater

An Ancient Wonder

Step inside one of Utah’s most iconic natural landmarks. Over 10,000 years in the making, The Crater is a 400-foot-wide, 55-foot-tall beehive-shaped limestone dome, formed when melting snow seeped deep into the earth and emerged as mineral-rich geothermal waters. The Crater has long been a gathering place, first intriguing 19th-century settlers and eventually transforming the land into the valley’s first resort. Today, visitors from across the country experience its warm waters, historic charm, and unique setting.

 

Hours of Operation:

Monday–Thursday: 11:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Book Now - Opens in a new window

History of the Crater

Over the span of millennia, melting snow from the Wasatch Mountains seeped deep into the earth. Two miles below the surface, Earth’s interior heated the water. As it percolated upward, the water picked up minerals that were deposited on the surface, forming the beehive-shaped limestone crater. The hole at the top of the dome lets in sunlight and fresh air, while the interior stays heated by the mineral water at a constant range of 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit.

In 1864, Swiss pioneer Simon Schneitter and his family settled in Midway, Utah, and while farming the land, discovered the massive geothermal “hot pot” that would become The Crater at Homestead. The limestone dome quickly drew local settlers as a gathering place and inspired the creation of the valley’s first resort. By 1886, Schneitter’s Hot Pot Resort opened, beginning a cherished legacy that continues to welcome visitors today as Homestead.

Group of women exercising 

An Escape Like No Other

With temperatures ranging from 90°F to 96°F, The Crater in Utah offers the only warm-water scuba diving destination in the continental U.S. Whether you want to swim, snorkel, scuba dive, or enjoy a therapeutic soak, The Crater’s crystal-clear mineral waters provide a relaxing and invigorating experience. Sunlight streams through the dome’s opening, illuminating the limestone walls and creating a truly unforgettable atmosphere.

Snorkel in the Crater

Activities & Experiences

You don’t have to get wet to enjoy The Crater. Climb the steps outside to the top, or take a step inside to observe this geological wonder up close. More immersive adventures include:

  • Swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving
  • Get scuba certified at the only warm scuba destination in the continental U.S.
  • Paddleboard yoga and aquatic fitness classes
  • Therapeutic mineral soaks on custom-built decks
View Adventures
The Crater dock view

Diving Into What’s Ahead

Leading up to Spring 2027, The Crater experience will be thoughtfully enhanced with updated infrastructure, bringing a refreshed sense of wonder to its historic, geothermal setting.

Whether you float under the stars or dive into the legacy of this natural phenomenon, The Crater offers a restorative, one-of-a-kind experience—right in the center of it all.