Little Sheep Mountain Spring

Big Horn County, Wyoming · Near Lovell
44.7490°N, 108.1880°W · 3,712 ft
68°F 3,712 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (10.1 mi)

Little Sheep Mountain Spring flows at 68 degrees Fahrenheit at 3,712 feet elevation on Bureau of Land Management land, emerging 540 meters from the nearest access route. The moderate temperature runs just 20 degrees above the 48.3-degree ambient in Wyoming's driest thermal spring environment.

Location

The spring sits in high desert sagebrush terrain receiving only 11 inches of annual precipitation and 24 inches of snow. The feature occupies the rain shadow east of the Absaroka Range near the Bighorn Basin floor, surrounded by exposed rock formations and sparse vegetation adapted to arid conditions.

April through October provides the most favorable access window. The half-mile walk crosses uneven terrain without established trail. Cottonwood Creek Campground, 16.2 kilometers distant, offers basic facilities including horse corrals. Carry water, as the surrounding desert environment provides limited resources.

History of Little Sheep Mountain Spring

The name references Little Sheep Mountain, a nearby prominence in this ranching and resource-extraction landscape. Historical documentation remains limited, with the area seeing scattered homesteader and livestock use rather than concentrated thermal development under BLM's multiple-use management framework.

Monthly Climate
25°
Jan
24°
Feb
39°
Mar
46°
Apr
56°
May
68°
Jun
77°
Jul
74°
Aug
63°
Sep
47°
Oct
35°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 11.1 in Annual Snow: 24.0 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 24°F · Water 68°F · +44° contrast
December Air 24°F · Water 68°F · +44° contrast
January Air 25°F · Water 68°F · +43° contrast
February offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
50°F
WNW 28.8 mph Good soaking weather
Thursday 67° Low 38° Scattered Showers And Thunderstorms 51% precip
Spring is +1° warmer
Friday 73° Low 42° Mostly Sunny
Saturday 68° Low 49° Mostly Sunny 11% precip
Sunday 80° Low 40° Sunny
Monday 86° Low 46° Sunny
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground 10.1 mi away

The Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground features an interpretive kiosk, five campsites with fire rings, picnic tables toilet facility, four horse corrals, a horse watering trough and food storage boxes.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
68°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 68°F (20°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +20°F
Mild soaking conditions May
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Cody Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Little Sheep Mountain Spring?
Little Sheep Mountain Spring has a water temperature of 68°F (20°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Little Sheep Mountain Spring located?
Little Sheep Mountain Spring is located in Big Horn County, Wyoming at 3,712 feet elevation, near Lovell. Coordinates: 44.7490°N, 108.1880°W.
How do I get to Little Sheep Mountain Spring?
Little Sheep Mountain Spring has Short Walk road access (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Little Sheep Mountain Spring free to visit?
Little Sheep Mountain Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Little Sheep Mountain Spring?
Yes, Cottonwood Creek Trailhead/Campground is located nearby (10.1 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Little Sheep Mountain Spring?
Little Sheep Mountain Spring is generally safe for soaking at its recorded temperature. Always tell someone your plans before visiting remote hot springs.
Is Little Sheep Mountain Spring crowded?
Little Sheep Mountain Spring sees varying levels of visitors depending on the season and day of the week.
What should I bring to Little Sheep Mountain Spring?
Essentials for Little Sheep Mountain Spring: swimsuit, towel, water bottle, camping gear, a trash bag to pack out what you pack in.