Wardrop Hot Spring
Wardrop Hot Spring discharges at 147°F with USGS-confirmed temperature of 64.8°C, pH of 9.3, and total dissolved solids of 211 mg/L. The sodium-dominant water contains almost no magnesium (0.01 mg/L). Located at 5,155 feet in Camas County, it sits 147 meters from Corral Creek Road.
The spring emerges in the rolling sagebrush-and-grass high country of south-central Idaho between the Soldier Mountains to the north and the Bennett Hills to the south. At 5,155 feet, the landscape is open rangeland broken by willow-lined creek bottoms and scattered stands of Douglas fir on north-facing slopes. Annual snowfall averages 90 inches, and precipitation totals 21.8 inches. The surrounding terrain is characteristic of Idaho's high desert transition zone, where volcanic geology meets sedimentary basins.
Best visited late spring through early fall when Corral Creek Road is clear of snow. The area is remote with limited cell service. Source water at 147°F requires extreme caution. Fairfield, the nearest town, provides basic supplies but limited services. Bowns Campground is 25 km away and operates on a first-come, first-served basis with 10 sites along Big Smoky Creek. Bring all water and supplies. Check road conditions locally before driving in.
Historical documentation for Wardrop Hot Spring is minimal. The name likely references an early homesteader or rancher in the Corral Creek area. Land ownership information is not recorded in available databases, distinguishing it from many neighboring springs on clearly delineated federal lands. The spring remains undeveloped with no built infrastructure at the site. Bowns Campground, the nearest developed site at 25.2 km, sits along Big Smoky Creek.
The water at Wardrop Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.3) with 211 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Bowns Campground, located 25 miles east of Featherville and 18 miles north of Fairfield, is a developed campground composed of 10 units along Big Smoky Creek. Two of the camp sites are double family units. Camping, fishing, hiking, and picnicking are popular activities. Campground amenities include picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water (seasonally) and restrooms. Miller Creek Trail (#087) starts just south of the campground and is open to motorcycles.
Wardrop Hot Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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