Dollar Creek Warm Spring
Dollar Creek Warm Spring barely qualifies as thermal at 68 degrees Fahrenheit, making it more of a geological curiosity than a soaking destination. Sitting at 4,960 feet in the Boise National Forest near Warm Lake, the spring is notable for its roadside accessibility, emerging just 17 feet from the road on Forest Service land with open public access.
The spring seeps out in high mountain terrain where annual snowfall averages over 16 feet and winter temperatures regularly drop well below zero. Lodgepole pine forest dominates the landscape around Warm Lake, and the air is sharp and resinous. The spring's outflow is modest, blending into the surrounding drainage without the dramatic mineral deposits or steam plumes associated with hotter features. At 68 degrees, the water feels slightly warm to the touch on a cold day but unremarkable in summer. The setting is quiet, far from any town.
With only 25 mg/L sodium and 7.6 mg/L sulfate, the water chemistry is dilute, suggesting shallow circulation that picks up minimal heat from the geothermal gradient. The neutral pH of 7.7 and low mineral content distinguish it from the highly alkaline, sodium-rich springs found at lower elevations in this region. The warm designation rather than hot reflects the geological reality that not every thermal anomaly produces bathable temperatures.
This spring is not suitable for soaking due to its low temperature. It serves as a point of geological interest for those exploring the Warm Lake area. Shoreline Campground on Warm Lake is about 4.7 miles away and accepts reservations, offering lakeside camping with boating and fishing access. Forest roads in this area may be snow-covered and impassable from late fall through early June.
Is Dollar Creek Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Dollar Creek Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7).
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Overview Shoreline Campground is located just across the road from beautiful Warm Lake, at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and viewing local wildlife. Recreation Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. Billy Rice Swim Beach is nearby, offering a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located just across the road from the camp...