Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs
Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs discharges at 167°F, one of the hottest springs in Boise County. USGS-confirmed at 75°C with 307 mg/L total dissolved solids, pH of 8.4, and sodium-dominant chemistry (90 mg/L sodium). It surfaces just 2.8 meters from Castle Meadow Drive at 3,520 feet elevation, requiring no hiking.
The spring emerges in a forested canyon along Warm Springs Creek in Boise County, northwest of Idaho City. At 3,520 feet, ponderosa pine and Douglas fir line the canyon walls while cottonwoods and willows mark the creek bottom. Annual precipitation reaches 30.7 inches with 100 inches of snowfall. Castle Meadow Drive follows the creek through a relatively narrow valley. The North Fork of the Payette River drainage lies to the west, while the Boise River system extends south and east. Exposed granitic rock outcrops are visible along the road cuts.
Historical records for this spring are limited. The descriptive name refers to its location along Warm Springs Creek rather than any individual or event. The spring remains undeveloped and unimproved. Swinging Bridge Campground, 10.4 km away near Banks, is a reservable Forest Service site at 4,000 feet along the North Fork Payette River, a corridor known for expert-level whitewater kayaking. The area around the spring has seen no commercial development.
Castle Meadow Drive provides direct roadside access, but road surface quality varies by season. Source water at 167°F causes immediate burns; do not touch the source. Best conditions occur May through October. Swinging Bridge Campground is reservable and located 10.4 km away along Highway 55. Banks, at the junction of Highways 55 and 17, provides basic services. The North Fork Payette corridor offers whitewater viewing and fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.
Is Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Warm Springs Creek Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.4) with 307 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Overview Swinging Bridge Campground is located 10 miles north of Banks, Idaho just off Highway 55 at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The North Fork Payette River flows next to the highway, where extreme kayaking is a popular activity.Recreation The North Fork of the Payette River is a very popular location for expert kayaking. Whitewater rafting is nearby on the Main and South Fork sections of the Payette River. Anglers will find good to excellent fishing for whitefish and rainbow trout.Facili...