# Lower Birch Spring, Idaho

Lower Birch Spring in Idaho. 77°F (25°C). Roadside · Public Land. Owyhee County.

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

## Can you soak at Lower Birch Spring?

The water leaves the ground at 77°F, about as warm as a heated pool. You can drive right up to it. It's on Bureau of Land Management land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 77°F (25°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.2 (Neutral) |
| Elevation | 4,150 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 294 ft from the nearest road |
| Land | Bruneau Field Office, Bureau of Land Management |
| County | Owyhee County |
| Nearest town | Murphy |
| Coordinates | 42.86500, -116.36800 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Silver City Campground, 20.6 mi |

## About Lower Birch Spring

Lower Birch Spring sits on BLM ground in Owyhee County, Idaho, in the Bruneau Field Office's territory and about twenty-six miles from Murphy, the nearest town the record names. Open access, per the record. Lukewarm water, bathwater on the cool side, with nothing about it that needs a warning. The chemistry on record was sampled in 1973 and nothing newer is on file.

A road with no name on record comes within a few hundred feet. This is dry Owyhee country managed by the Bureau of Land Management, ordinary public land without special protection, at a moderate elevation. Winters are mild and snow is light, a couple of feet in a normal winter, while rain is scarce through the year.

Winter gets the record's vote, which fits a dry, low place. Silver City Campground is the closest on file at about twenty miles. The water poses no heat risk. BLM land means public access, and the record agrees it is open, though the road in is unnamed, so navigation is on you.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1973-07-12 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.2 |
| Calcium | 37 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 8.5 mg/L |
| Sodium | 22 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 35 mg/L |
| Chloride | 21 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Mountain Home Air Force Base](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/mountain-home-air-force-base), 33 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Thomas Flats Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/thomas-flats-warm-spring): 75°F source, Short Walk, near Murphy, Owyhee County
- [Bruneau Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/bruneau-hot-spring): 106°F source, pH 8.6, Roadside, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County
- [Indian Bathtub Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/indian-bathtub-hot-springs): 99°F source, pH 8.6, TDS 248 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County, primitive pools, pools 93–96°F, free
- [Bat Hot Spring, Pence Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/bat-hot-spring-pence-hot-spring): 117°F source, pH 8.2, TDS 243 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County
- [Lower Indian Bathtub Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lower-indian-bathtub-hot-springs): 108°F source, pH 8.7, Short Walk, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County, primitive pools, pools 102°F, free, year-round
- [Buckaroo Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/buckaroo-hot-spring): 109°F source, pH 8.2, Roadside, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Lower Birch Spring?**
Lower Birch Spring has a water temperature of 77°F (25°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Lower Birch Spring located?**
Lower Birch Spring is located in Owyhee County, Idaho at 4,150 feet elevation, near Murphy. Coordinates: 42.8650°N, 116.3680°W.

**How do I get to Lower Birch Spring?**
Lower Birch Spring has Roadside road access (294 ft from the road).

**Is Lower Birch Spring free to visit?**
Lower Birch Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.

**Can I camp near Lower Birch Spring?**
Yes, Silver City Campground is located nearby (20.6 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Lower Birch Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.2 (neutral).

## Sources

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