Warm Springs
Warm Springs in Clark County discharges at 84°F, a genuinely warm rather than hot spring, at 6,520 feet on Bureau of Land Management land near Dubois. Its neutral pH of 7.1 and calcium-magnesium bicarbonate chemistry (53.3 mg/L calcium, 19.7 mg/L magnesium) distinguish it sharply from Idaho's typical alkaline sodium-dominant thermal waters.
The spring occupies the high sagebrush steppe of eastern Idaho's upper Snake River Plain, where open rangeland stretches toward the Beaverhead Mountains to the north and the Snake River Plain to the south. At 6,520 feet, the terrain is dry and exposed, receiving only 14.9 inches of annual precipitation and 51.5 inches of snow. Vegetation is dominated by big sagebrush and native bunchgrasses. The spring lies 428 meters from National Forest Development Road 192, in a broad, gently rolling landscape far removed from the forested mountains of central Idaho.
Best visited May through October when the road is reliably passable. The 84°F water temperature is comfortable for extended soaking without risk of burns. Bring all water and supplies; Dubois is the nearest town with services. Birch Creek Campground has approximately 25 sites but flood damage has altered conditions significantly; check with the Upper Snake Field Office for current status. A 14-day stay limit applies. The high-elevation location means cold nights even in summer.
Documentation specific to this spring is minimal. The generic name Warm Springs reflects the modest 84°F temperature. The site sits within the Upper Snake Field Office of the BLM, an area managed primarily for grazing and wildlife habitat. Birch Creek Campground, 24.6 km away, suffered significant flood damage from an intense precipitation event that eroded roads to depths of 3.5 feet. The BLM has kept the area open but advises caution.
The water at Warm Springs is neutral (pH 7.1).
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***An intense precipitation event occurring in southeastern Idaho resulted in the flooding of the popular Birch Creek campground. Fast moving water washed out many of the roads, leaving eroded gaps as deep as 3 Ѕ feet. While the area is still open to the public, the Bureau of Land Management Upper Snake Field Office urges the public to remain cautious, as the site has significantly changed.***This campground includes approximately 25 campsites with amenities such as picnic tables, fire rings,...
Warm Springs sits at 6,520 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 26% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Warm Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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