Crane Creek Hot Springs
Crane Creek Hot Springs runs at 198 degrees Fahrenheit, just shy of boiling at its 2,400-foot elevation in western Idaho. This near-boiling thermal feature produces only a trickle of flow at 0.01 cubic feet per second, but the extreme temperature signals a deep geothermal source beneath Washington County's high desert landscape.
The spring emerges in the dry, open terrain outside Weiser, where sagebrush and bunchgrass dominate the rolling hills. The air smells faintly of sulfur and mineral deposits line the outflow channels in white and ochre streaks. At 2,400 feet, the landscape is arid, receiving just 12.8 inches of rain annually. Summer temperatures push into the 90s while winter brings light snow. Lower Crane Road passes within 640 feet, and the surrounding countryside feels quiet and unvisited.
This is a look-but-do-not-touch spring. At 198 degrees Fahrenheit, the water causes instant scalding. Approach cautiously and keep children and pets well back. The nearest established campground is Mann Creek Campground, about 11 miles away near Mann Creek Reservoir, which accepts reservations. The spring sits roughly 640 feet from Lower Crane Road.
The spring taps into the same deep fault systems that make Idaho one of the most geothermally productive states in the country. Water chemistry shows 280 mg/L sodium and 250 mg/L sulfate, consistent with long residence time in hot basement rock. The near-neutral pH of 7.8 indicates the water has equilibrated with surrounding formations before surfacing. USGS measurements confirm a source temperature of 85 degrees Celsius.
The water at Crane Creek Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
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Overview Mann Creek Campground is located near the Mann Creek Reservoir in the foothills of the West Central Mountains in western Idaho near the Payette National Forest. The reservoir is a popular boating and fishing destination. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation....
Crane Creek Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully.
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