Willow Spring
Rising at 72 degrees Fahrenheit in Beaver County's high plateau country, Willow Spring emerges 21.7 degrees above ambient at 6,160 feet elevation on Bureau of Land Management lands near Milford. A short walk of 251 meters from the nearest road provides access. Water shows moderate mineralization with 421 mg/L total dissolved solids and alkaline pH of 8.0. Open public access on Cedar City Field Office lands.
The spring flows in elevated semi-arid terrain where the transition from high desert to mountain forest occurs, with average annual temperatures of 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit. Annual precipitation totals 10.6 inches with 35.8 inches of snowfall, supporting pinyon-juniper woodland and sagebrush communities. The landscape consists of rolling hills and broad valleys characteristic of the Basin and Range province, with the Mineral Mountains rising to the west and the Tushar Range to the east. BLM public lands dominate the surrounding area with scattered private ranches.
BLM open access policies allow visiting year-round, though winter brings snow and cold at this elevation. Spring and fall provide ideal conditions with moderate temperatures and minimal precipitation. The short walk access requires navigating unimproved terrain for 251 meters. Hanging Rock Campground, 7.1 kilometers away on the Beaver River, offers developed camping with fishing access. Bring all water despite the spring's presence, as thermal mineralization may affect potability.
The spring's name likely derives from willows sustained by the thermal water flow. Historical documentation is limited, though the area saw ranching and mining activity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Milford developed as a railroad town in 1880, serving as a supply point for regional mining operations. The spring's location on federal lands has maintained open access despite private property consolidation elsewhere in the valley.
The water at Willow Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.0) with 421 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Overview Hanging Rock Campground is located just off of Highway 21 between the towns of Beaver and Minerville, UT. The campground has six campsites all located alongside the scenic Beaver River. Along with the scenery that the river provides, it also offers what many consider to be the best fising in Beaver County. Recreation The Beaver River provides opportunity for year-round fishing. The Paiute ATV Trail and Beaver Bench Mountain Bike Trail System are located just down the road in Beaver,...
Willow Spring sits at 6,160 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 25% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Willow Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear.
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Springs Near Willow Spring
More Springs Around 72°F
Slightly Alkaline Springs (pH ~8.0)
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