Lick Creek Warm Spring
Lick Creek Warm Spring flows at 91 degrees Fahrenheit along Lick Creek Road in the Payette National Forest, warm enough for a comfortable soak on all but the hottest summer days. At 4,390 feet near McCall, this spring delivers a gentle 48-degree temperature boost above the cool mountain air.
The spring pools along a forested creek bottom where lodgepole pine and Douglas fir crowd the banks. Lick Creek runs clear and cold nearby, offering the option to adjust soaking temperature by channeling creek water into the warm pools. The forest here is thick enough to block wind but open enough to let afternoon light reach the water. With 154 inches of annual snow and over 33 inches of precipitation, the surrounding vegetation is lush and green through the summer months.
USGS data shows 31.5 degrees Celsius with a pH of 9.0 and sodium at 90 milligrams per liter, reflecting the alkaline signature of water circulating through the granitic bedrock common to this part of the Payette National Forest. The spring's moderate temperature suggests a shallower circulation path than the superheated springs found deeper in the Idaho Batholith to the south and east.
The spring is about a 110-meter walk from Lick Creek Road. Upper Payette Lake Campground, roughly 17 miles toward McCall on the shores of Upper Payette Lake, offers reservable sites with fishing and canoeing access. McCall, about 16 miles away, has full services including groceries and gear shops. The spring is most enjoyable from late spring through fall, as deep snow can make winter access challenging.
Is Lick Creek Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Lick Creek Warm Spring is alkaline (pH 9.0).
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Overview Upper Payette Lake Campground is located 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of beautiful Upper Payette Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring local trails. 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.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as so...