An experience like no other

The crater at homestead

Formed over 12,000 years, The Crater rises from the valley floor as a natural wonder, its limestone dome sheltering warm, mineral-rich waters found nowhere else in the continental United States. Today, it stands as the foundation of Homestead’s identity and the beginning of its legacy as a place of hospitality, restoration, and gathering. It offers a rare connection to nature, history, and place as the only warm-water scuba diving destination of its kind. It is where Homestead’s story begins, an experience both timeless and unforgettable.

Hours of Operation
Soak & Swim: Weekdays: 10:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Weekends: 9:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Diving: Weekdays: 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Weekends: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Book your experience Stay at homestead

Swim in The Crater

Therapeutic Mineral Soaks

Long utilized by travellers and locals as a place to unwind, The Crater welcomes guests of all ages to relax in the geothermal mineral waters. Naturally heated to 96° F, The Crater is open daily, year-round for visitors. Available time-slots fill up quickly, so be sure to book your experience in advance.

Price: $28/1-hour session

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All to Yourself

Private Group Experience

Gather within The Crater for a private experience, where meaningful moments are shared in a setting unlike any other. The perfect addition to any retreat or wedding weekend itinerary, providing your group with time to reconnect, reflect, and recharge.

Private Session Inquiries can be submitted through the contact form below.

More to Explore

Observation Deck

Climb The Crater’s dome for 360° views of Heber Valley and the Wasatch Mountains.

SUP Yoga Sessions

Within the stillness of The Crater, paddle board yoga offers a serene, immersive practice shaped by water and light. Book this experience through Park City Yoga Adventures.

Peer Below the Surface

Add snorkel gear to any swim experience to see what's underneath the surface.

Know Before You Go

With a history of welcoming guests for 140 years, The Crater team is here to help make your experience as memorable as possible. Explore our FAQs and if you have any additional questions, reach out to our team directly through the contact form below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a time limit on each session?

Yes. Sessions are typically scheduled in 40-minute increments to ensure all guests have access while preserving the tranquil atmosphere.

Is the water deep?

Yes. The Crater is approximately 65 feet deep at its deepest point.

Do I have to wear a life vest?

Yes, all guests entering the water have to wear a life vest for the duration of their experience. Life vests are provided in sizes infant to XXXL.

What amenities are available at The Crater?

Crater guests have access to changing stalls, restrooms (available next to the Activity Center), storage lockers, and life vests.

What should I bring?

We recommend bringing:

Swimsuit
Towel
Water bottle
Sandals or water-friendly footwear

Towels and basic amenities may be available on-site, but bringing your own ensures comfort.

When should I arrive for my experience?

Please arrive at your booked time. Guests will not be allowed in The Crater until their time slot.

How do I get to The Crater?

The Crater at Homestead is located on the Homestead Midway Utah resort property. Crater guests enter through Bluff Rd off Homestead Drive. Crater guest parking is designated in front of The Crater entry doors on the far left side of the parking lot.

What is The Crater?

The Crater is a natural geothermal spring hidden within a 55-foot limestone dome. Inside, you’ll find warm, mineral-rich water maintained at approximately 90–96°F year-round—an experience that feels both grounding and quietly extraordinary.

Do I need a reservation?

Yes, reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Walk-ins are welcome based on availability, but space is limited due to the intimate setting.

What activities are offered at The Crater?

Guests can enjoy a range of water-based experiences including:

Soaking
Swimming
Paddleboard yoga
Snorkeling
Scuba diving (certified and beginner “Discover Scuba” experiences)

Each offers a different way to engage with the stillness and warmth of the Crater.

Is The Crater suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome with adult supervision. Some activities (such as scuba diving) have age restrictions.

Do I need to know how to swim?

Basic swimming ability is recommended. Life vests are available and required for added comfort and safety.

What is the temperature of the water?

The water stays consistently between 90–96°F, offering a naturally soothing environment in every season.

Contact The Crater at Homestead

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Below the Surface

Scuba Diving

Within The Crater, a warm, mineral-rich underwater world invites exploration in every season, welcoming both first-time divers and seasoned enthusiasts. Dives typically reach depths of around 65 feet, offering generous bottom time within a space that feels both intimate and expansive. Guided experiences, equipment, and certification programs are available, allowing guests to engage with The Crater at their own pace. More than an activity, diving here is an opportunity to step inside the story of the land itself, where discovery and restoration exist in quiet balance.

For dive and certification inquires, please submit the contact form below.

For Lifetime Adventures

Certification

For those pursuing certification, The Crater offers a calm and naturally warm setting for open water checkout dives, often serving as the final step after completing classroom and confined water training. Programs typically include multiple dives over one to two days, in clear, controlled conditions that support skill development and confidence. Upon successful completion, participants earn an Open Water Diver certification recognized worldwide, marking the beginning of a lifetime of exploration beneath the surface.

Test The Waters

Introduction to Diving

For guests who are not certified and want to see if diving is in their future, The Crater offers an introduction to diving. This is not a certification, but a two hour session that introduces guests to the diving experience. Medical forms and waiver must be completed before this experience. Guests must be 10+ years of age to participate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book scuba diving or certification?

Use the contact form below to inquire about scuba sessions, refresher courses, or scuba certifications. Please include your preferred date(s) and number of people in your party. A member of our team will reach out to coordinate your visit.

I didn't bring my dive equipment, can I rent it there?

Yes, dive equipment is available for rent at The Crater.

I am not certified to dive, can I still dive in The Crater?

The Crater offers an Intro to Scuba Experience for non-certified individuals to experience diving for the first time. This 2-hour session is not a certification. Must be 10 yrs of age. Medical form and waiver required.

I am dive certified, how do I dive in The Crater?

Certified divers can book dive time at The Crater. Waiver, proof of certification, and a dive buddy are required. For certified divers who do not have a dive buddy – one of our staff members can dive along with you (based on availability).

Do I need a wetsuit to dive?

The Crater’s is the only warm water dive destination in the country with waters naturally heated to 90-96° F. Divers should wear what they feel most comfortable diving in.

Do you allow free-diving?

No, free-diving is not permitted in The Crater at Homestead.

Contact The Crater at Homestead

"*" indicates required fields

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone*

Type of inquiry*

Your Message

Subscribe to Homestead's Mailing List to receive early updates and exclusive details straight to your inbox.

By submitting this form, I consent my data being collected and stored. Please view our Privacy Policy for complete details on how we protect & manage submitted data.

Homestead Midway Utah's Legacy

The Crater Experience Package

The Crater experience brings together restoration and adventure in a thoughtfully curated stay. Guests enjoy a therapeutic soak for up to two guests as part of their overnight stay.

Soak reservations are required and must be scheduled separately from your room booking. Please contact The Crater directly to arrange your preferred time.

Book your stay

Historical photo of the Crater development

Centuries In The Making

Where It All Began

In 1886, Simon Schneitter uncovered the geothermal spring that would become the heart of Homestead: The Crater. Formed over millennia as snowmelt traveled deep beneath the surface and was warmed by the earth, the ancient calcite dome rises 55 feet high, extends 65 feet deep, and spans nearly 400 feet across, making it the region’s largest mineral dome. What began as a natural curiosity soon became a place of gathering for early settlers, shaping the valley’s first resort. Its warm waters offered rest and restoration to miners and travelers, establishing a legacy of hospitality that continues today.

A Valley Staple

The Legacy Continues

Opened to the public in 1996, The Crater remains a living, evolving system, continuously fed by mineral-rich waters flowing from deep within the earth. Its steady warmth and striking blue depths have made it a defining landmark of Midway for generations. Beneath the surface, layers of silt preserve thousands of years of geological history, still studied today, reinforcing The Crater’s place not only as a destination, but as a natural record of time itself.

Leading up to Summer 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.

Crater Facts

How was The Crater Formed?

Roughly 10,000 years ago, as the last Ice Age loosened its grip on the Wasatch Mountains, melting snow began to seep deep into the earth. That water traveled downward until it met geothermal heat far below the surface, warming it naturally before it rose again—pressurized and mineral-rich.

As this heated water pushed upward, it carried dissolved limestone along with it. When the water reached the surface, carbon dioxide escaped into the air, causing the limestone to crystallize and deposit layer by layer around the spring’s opening.

Over thousands of years, those deposits built a natural dome—like a quiet, mineral sculpture slowly forming from within. The process continued until the structure sealed itself into a beehive-shaped cavern, leaving only a small opening at the top for light and fresh air.

Inside, the warm spring water remained—clear, still, and sheltered—creating the geothermal pool you see today.

When was The Crater Discovered?

The Crater was “discovered” by Swiss Pioneer, Simon Schnitter, in 1886. Upon discovery Simon opened Schnitter’s Hot Pot, inviting travellers to soak in The Crater’s geothermal waters.

What minerals make up the water?

Calcium – absorbed from the surrounding limestone, contributing to the water’s smooth, conditioning feel

Magnesium – often associated with relaxation and muscle ease

Bicarbonate – formed as water interacts with carbon dioxide underground, helping maintain the water’s natural pH balance

Sodium & Potassium (trace amounts) – naturally occurring electrolytes

Is there any wildlife in The Crater?

No, The Crater does not have any fish or plant life.

Where have I seen The Crater before?

The Crater’s unique properties and location have enticed film makers for years. You may have seen The Crater featured in movies and TV shows like 127 Hours and The Bachelor.

The crater at homestead

Therapeutic Mineral Soaks

Private Group Experience

More to Explore

Observation Deck

SUP Yoga Sessions

Peer Below the Surface

Know Before You Go

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a time limit on each session?

Is the water deep?

Do I have to wear a life vest?

What amenities are available at The Crater?

What should I bring?

When should I arrive for my experience?

How do I get to The Crater?

What is The Crater?

Do I need a reservation?

What activities are offered at The Crater?

Is The Crater suitable for children?

Do I need to know how to swim?

What is the temperature of the water?

Contact The Crater at Homestead

Fill out the Contact The Crater at Homestead form below

Contact The Crater at Homestead