Things to Do in Monroe, Utah: Mystic Hot Springs & More

Monroe is a farm town of about 2,500 people (2020 Census) in southern Sevier County, at about 5,400 feet at the foot of Monroe Mountain. The city still calls itself the "Little Green Valley," a name that comes from the irrigated fields that surround it. First settled in 1864 and renamed for President James Monroe in 1872, it sits on SR-118 about 6 miles off I-70 at Joseph and roughly 10 miles south of Richfield.

Most visitors come for one place, Mystic Hot Springs, but Monroe is also a trailhead town for the Paiute ATV Trail and a short drive from Fremont Indian State Park. This guide covers the places that are actually worth the trip, what to know before going, and what daily life looks like for anyone considering homes for sale in Monroe.

Things to Do in Monroe at a Glance

• Mystic Hot Springs: reservation-only soaking pools and tubs on the east edge of town, plus quirky overnight stays.
• Red Hill Hot Springs: a free, undeveloped hot spring about a mile north of Mystic.
• Paiute ATV Trail: Monroe is one of the trail's access towns, with Monroe Mountain right above it.
• Monroe Mountain: Monroe Peak tops out at 11,227 feet, the highest point on the Sevier Plateau.
• Fremont Indian State Park: rock art trails in Clear Creek Canyon off I-70, about 20 minutes away.
• Pioneer Days: Monroe's July celebration around the 24th.

Mystic Hot Springs

Mystic Hot Springs, at 475 E. 100 N., is the reason most people search for Monroe. The spring comes out of the hillside at about 165 to 168°F and flows roughly 200 gallons a minute, building orange and white mineral terraces as it runs downhill. By the time the water reaches the soaking area, it has cooled to around 99 to 110°F.

There are two 20-by-20-foot pools (about 2 and 4 feet deep) and five old cast-iron bathtubs set into the slope with views across the valley. Soaking is by reservation only, in two-hour time slots, and passes are non-refundable, so booking ahead matters, especially on weekends and holidays.

The property has been a hot springs resort for generations. It was homesteaded in 1886 by the Cooper family and was long known as Monroe Hot Springs before the current owner began rebuilding it as Mystic Hot Springs in 1996. Overnight options are part of the appeal: a restored pioneer cabin, a row of converted vintage buses, a gypsy wagon, and tent and RV sites. Quiet hours run from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Tips for Visiting Mystic Hot Springs

• Reserve before driving down. Walk-up soaking is not guaranteed; passes are sold for set two-hour windows.
• Bring water shoes. The mineral terraces and paths around the tubs are uneven and can be slick.
• Stay hydrated. Hot water at elevation dehydrates faster than most people expect.
• Book overnight stays early. There are seven buses, one cabin and one wagon, so they fill quickly on weekends.
• Respect quiet hours. The property is shared by campers and overnight guests from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Red Hill Hot Springs

About a mile north, Red Hill Hot Springs is a small, free, undeveloped spring with shallow soaking pools. It closes at dusk and camping is not allowed. Visitors should follow any posted rules, since land status around it has been reported differently over the years.

Monroe Mountain and the Paiute ATV Trail

Monroe sits right at the base of Monroe Mountain in the Fishlake National Forest. Monroe Peak rises to 11,227 feet, the highest point on the Sevier Plateau, and the mountain is crossed by the Paiute ATV Trail, a large loop system that links several Sevier and Piute county towns. Visit Utah lists Monroe as one of the trail's trailhead towns, which is why trucks pulling side-by-sides are a common sight in summer.

High on the mountain, Manning Meadow Reservoir (trailhead near 9,800 feet) holds tiger and cutthroat trout, and Barney Lake has brook and rainbow trout. Both are reached on Forest Service roads and are best from early summer through fall.

Monroe Canyon After the 2025 Fire

The Monroe Canyon Fire burned more than 73,000 acres on the mountain in July 2025. Most roads and trails reopened that September, but the Monrovian Park picnic area up Monroe Canyon and a nearby non-motorized trail stayed closed because of flood and debris-flow risk from the burn scar, and Monroe Canyon Road has had flood closures since. Anyone planning to drive or ride up the canyon should check the Fishlake National Forest alerts page or call the Richfield Ranger District first.

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum

About 20 minutes from Monroe, off I-70 in Clear Creek Canyon, Fremont Indian State Park protects one of the largest collections of Fremont rock art in Utah. The park exists because of the freeway: in 1983, local students alerted archaeologists to Five Finger Ridge while crews were taking fill for I-70 construction. Excavations found the largest known Fremont village, with more than 100 structures, and the museum opened in 1987.

Today the main draws are the trails. The Parade of Rock Art is a short paved loop past petroglyph panels on the canyon walls, and longer trails, including the Centennial Trail, climb into the cliffs. The park has two campgrounds, Castle Rock and Sam Stowe. The museum's exhibits were closed for renovation with a reopening planned for fall 2026, while the visitor center stayed open Monday through Saturday, so it is worth checking the park's website before going.

A Quick History of Monroe

The first explorers reached the valley in late 1863, and the first permanent settlers arrived on February 20, 1864. The town went by South Bend and then Alma before taking the name Monroe when it applied for a post office in 1872. By 1880 it was the second-largest town in Sevier County.

Around Town

• Pioneer Days: Monroe's main celebration falls around July 24, with past years bringing a parade, barbecue, fireworks, a milk run, 3-on-3 basketball and a baseball tournament. The city posts each year's schedule on its website.
• The Monroe Inn: a guesthouse in a renovated Victorian brick home on North Main Street, typically closed in winter.
• Main Street: a handful of local places to eat along Main Street cover the basics; bigger shopping and restaurants are in Richfield.

Day Trips From Monroe

• Richfield (about 10 miles north): Sevier County's main shopping hub and home to Intermountain Sevier Valley Hospital. See homes for sale in Richfield to compare the neighboring market.
• Fremont Indian State Park (about 20 minutes): petroglyph trails and camping in Clear Creek Canyon.
• Fishlake National Forest: Monroe Mountain's reservoirs and the Paiute ATV Trail, straight up from town.

When to Visit Monroe

Hot water is at its best in cool weather, so fall through spring is a natural time to soak. Spring and fall are also the most comfortable months for walking the rock art trails at Fremont Indian State Park. Summer is the season for the Paiute ATV Trail, high-mountain fishing and Pioneer Days, though the valley can get hot in the afternoon. In any season, reserve a slot before driving down.

Living in Monroe

For residents, Monroe is one of the more complete small towns in Sevier County. Three Sevier School District schools are in town: Monroe Elementary (K–5), South Sevier Middle School (6–8) and South Sevier High School (9–12). The hospital and most shopping are about 15 minutes away in Richfield.

Housing ranges from older in-town homes to farm and ranch properties around the valley. The current median asking price for active Monroe listings is $474,000. Buyers who want space can browse Monroe horse properties or Monroe homes with acreage, and those watching their budget can start with Monroe homes under $300k. For the full list of trade-offs, see the pros and cons of living in Monroe.

Bottom Line

Monroe is worth the detour off I-70 for Mystic Hot Springs alone, and it makes an easy base for Fremont Indian State Park and the Paiute ATV Trail. Book the hot springs ahead, check fire and flood closures before heading up Monroe Canyon, and plan errands around Richfield.