# Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, Idaho

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs in Idaho. 118°F (48°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Mineral County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/jerry-johnson-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?

Yes. Jerry Johnson Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 95 to 115°F. Soaking is free. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 118°F (48°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.5 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 3,238 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.9 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Clearwater National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Mineral County |
| Nearest town | Superior |
| Coordinates | 46.46300, -114.87200 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Whitehouse Campground, 5.8 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free |
| Hours | day use 6am-8pm |
| Season | Year-round |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 95–115°F |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | 1.4 mi one way, mostly flat, suspension bridge over Lochsa from US-12 |
| In winter | icy, traction advised; waterfall pools underwater in spring runoff |
| Operator | US Forest Service, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/jerry-johnson-hot-springs-idaho

## About Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is in Mineral County, Clearwater National Forest ground, and Superior is the nearest town at about three miles. OpenStreetMap tags a feature here called the Big Pool, the closest thing on record to a description of what you will find. The water is hot, hotter than a bath, and access is open.

Close to a mile of walking from a road we cannot name. The elevation is low, a bit over three thousand feet, but this is wet country: over forty inches of precipitation and very heavy snow, sixteen feet or more in an average year. Whitehouse Campground, roughly six miles off, is the nearest camping listed.

OpenStreetMap records a soaking pool at this site, tagged as the Big Pool, and classes it as a hot spring bath. The USGS sampled the water in July 1982.

The climate data names midwinter as best, but with this much snow expect the approach to be under deep snow in those months. Hotter than a bath, so let it cool and check before you get in. There is a pool here per OpenStreetMap. No fee is listed. Chemistry is from a 1982 survey.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1982-07-14 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.5 |
| Calcium | 2.4 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.12 mg/L |
| Sodium | 36 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 17 mg/L |
| Chloride | 1.2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Kamiah](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/kamiah), 21 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Colgate Warm Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/colgate-warm-springs): 106°F source, pH 9.5, Short Walk, near Superior, Mineral County
- [Weir Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/weir-creek-hot-springs): 117°F source, pH 9.4, Short Walk, near Superior, Mineral County, primitive pools, pools 105°F, free, year-round
- [Prospector Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/prospector-hot-springs): Hot, Backcountry, near Hamilton, Ravalli County, primitive pools, free, mid-late summer
- [Stanley Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/stanley-hot-springs): 120°F source, Hike, near Kamiah, Lewis County, primitive pools, pools 106°F, free, jun-oct best
- [Lolo Hot Springs, Granite Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/lolo-hot-springs-granite-springs): 111°F source, pH 9.3, Short Walk, near Frenchtown, Missoula County
- [Stuart Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/stuart-hot-springs): Hot, Backcountry, near Hamilton, Ravalli County, primitive pools, free, mid-late summer

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?**
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs has a water temperature of 118°F (48°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Jerry Johnson Hot Springs located?**
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is located in Mineral County, Idaho at 3,238 feet elevation, near Superior. Coordinates: 46.4630°N, 114.8720°W.

**How do I get to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?**
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.9 mi from the road).

**Is Jerry Johnson Hot Springs free to visit?**
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?**
Yes, Whitehouse Campground is located nearby (5.8 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?**
With care. At 118°F Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals