day 34—mystic waters

Imagine this—you’re soaking in a bathtub, steam curling around you, fully immersed in relaxation. Then, out of nowhere, a man and his dog appear. You instinctively cover yourself as if you’re naked—except you’re not. And this isn’t just any bathtub. It’s one of his many, scattered across the property, and you paid $25 to be in it.

Welcome to Mystic Hot Springs, 2 hours north of Zion—undoubtedly the quirkiest natural hot spring we’ve ever stepped foot in. But don’t let the landscape of abandoned vehicles, half-finished projects, and a roaming flock of peacocks deter you. Beneath the rustic oddities, there’s magic.

It was eclectic yet euphoric.

While I wasn’t expecting a middle-aged man to be putzing around as I bathed, something was endearing about how he tended to the land. He didn’t just manage this place—he belonged to it. As we settled into the mineral-rich waters, we welcomed his conversation, soaking in the tubs' warmth and the stories behind them.

He had, in a way, married into the mystique. His father-in-law had taken the reins 30 years ago, restoring the property’s abandoned cabins and vehicles and turning them into rentals. But Mystic Hot Springs has long been a place of rest and rejuvenation.

First used by the nomadic Ute, Shoshone, and Piute tribes, the springs later became a coveted stop along the Old Spanish Trail for weary settlers. And it’s easy to see why. While the bathtubs are a more recent addition, the healing waters remain unchanged—sulfur-free, calcium-rich, flowing at 200 gallons per minute at a steady 99 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Over time, the mineral deposits have encased the tubs, making them look like they’ve risen straight from the earth itself.

We moved from tub to tub, playing Goldilocks with the temperatures until we found one that was just right. Despite the quiet hum of our new acquaintance moving about, a stillness settled over us. Our aching muscles from yesterday’s hike had melted, replaced by a slow, grounding calm.

After an hour of tub-hopping, we wandered over to the larger 20x20 pools on the property. Unlike the tubs, these are typically shared with strangers, but today—aside from the man and his dog—we had them to ourselves. A rarity. A luxury.

Then again, it was a Tuesday.

And this was our life now—seeing the world through different lenses, embracing the peculiar, and finding peace in the unexpected.