Little Jamaica

2-2-19 Update: ADOT has dismantled Little Jamaica in order to do maintenance on the I-15 bridge that it's located under for the time being. Don't worry though, I'm sure it will be back in the future!

Little Jamaica is a warmish spring located right outside of Littlefield, AZ. It starts as the Virgin River, just south of St George, UT. The river flows through the porous limestone and sandstone rock that make up the Virgin River gorge, and comes out as warm waterfalls into a couple pools just outside the south side of the gorge. If you actually think this stuff is interesting as I do, you can read about all the about the geology of it here. If not, scroll down for the pictures.

Here's the long way to get to the springs:

1. If you're coming from St. George, take Exit 9 and instead of taking the first right turn off of it, continue to the end of the ramp and immediately get back on I-15, because that exit is weird and useless. 

2. Turn around at the next exit and go back north to take Exit 9 again. Almost miss the turn off, and drive backwards on the ramp until you can turn on Farm Rd. Go through the one-car tunnel to the other side like the instructions say, and then realize you were on the right side to begin with and backtrack.

3. Go back east through the tunnel and turn left on Farm Rd. Drive to the end of the road until it turns into dirt and forks into 3 rocky roads. Take the first one, drive past a few questionable houses with rusted cars and torn up trailers in the front yard, until you end up in someones 'driveway'

4. Backtrack and take the next fork in the road. Also realize that it goes nowhere, but take a few pictures of the sweet cactus with the Virgin River Gorge mountains and storm clouds in the background  

5. Take the last road option, drive past what has to be a polygamist compound, and decide that it's probably not on this side of town

6. As you drive the opposite direction on Farm Rd, realize that there's a lot more trees the further south you get. Remember from every science class since elementary school that trees=water. This looks promising

7. Go to the end of the road where it turns into a real dirt road, not just rocks, where there are a few cars parked. See everyone leaving because of the weather, and follow where they came from. Have the springs to yourself.

  

REAL directions to Little Jamaica

1. If you're coming from St. George, take Exit 9, or the Desert Springs exit. Take the first and only right off the ramp, or it will push you back onto I-15

2. Take a right and drive north until you get to a one-car tunnel back under the freeway. Go through and take a right onto Farm Rd

3. Follow it until the road turns into a dirt parking area. Walk through the little fence and climb down the waterfalls into the pools