Home / United States / Idaho / Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

Wild spring

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

Free
6 hr 45 min from Boise
1 mi hike

A set of undeveloped pools along Warm Springs Creek, reached by crossing the Warm Springs Pack Bridge over the Lochsa River at milepost 152 of US Highway 12. There are three groups of pools: the Waterfall Pools, a set in a meadow and a set above the meadow. The Forest Service limits use to 6am-8pm and bans overnight camping at the springs.

Visit official website ↗Directions ↗

✓ Verified November 2026

Price: Free
Nearest town: Powell
From Boise: 6 hr 45 min
Hike (one way): 1 mi

Plan your visit

Hours & season

Hours	Day use only, 6am-8pm Rangers patrol and cite visitors outside these hours
Season	Open year-round Open year-round per the Forest Service Winter access depends on snow on the trail

Tickets & booking

Price	Free
Access	Free public access

On site

Lodging	No
Camping nearby	Yes
Land manager	USFS

Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.

Soak responsibly

Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.

Water temperature

60°Ftemps not published125°F

This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.

Mineral profile

Total dissolved minerals

150 mg/L

Lightly mineralized · Sodium–sulfate (sodium sulfate water)

Tap waterMineral waterSeawater

Sodium36.5 mg/L

Calcium2.5 mg/L

Magnesium0.16 mg/L

Potassium0.45 mg/L

Chloride1.6 mg/L

Sulfate21 mg/L

Silica49 mg/L

pH: 9.5
Temp at source: 119°F
Lithium: 0.03 mg/L
Fluoride: 1.6 mg/L
Boron: 0.02 mg/L

Lab analysis of the source water at “36n 13e 18a 1s Jerry Johnson Hot Sp”, sampled 1972–1982 by the USGS and partners (data). Pool water may be cooled, mixed or treated, and spring chemistry is generally stable over decades. We report measurements only; we don't make health claims.

The pools

Pool	Temp
Waterfall PoolsLowest set, beside a waterfall on Warm Springs Creek.	—
Meadow poolsSecond set of pools in a meadow.	—
Upper poolsThird set above the meadow.	—

As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.

What's here

three sets of pools: Waterfall Pools, meadow pools and pools above the meadow
Lochsa Wild and Scenic River corridor
day use only 6am-8pm
no overnight camping at the springs
Warm Springs Pack Bridge over the Lochsa

Getting there

From Boise6 hr 45 min301 mi
From Missoula (MT)1 hr 29 min66 mi
From Missoula (MSO)1 hr 38 min70 mi

Typical driving time without traffic or snow, to the closest road point; add the hike.

Elevation	3,195 ft
Road	Paved road Trailhead on US Highway 12 at milepost 152, about 1 hr from Lolo, MT or 1.5 hrs from Kooskia
Hike	1 mi one way
Trail	Warm Springs Trailhead: cross the pack bridge, turn right and follow Warm Springs Creek about a mile (guides say 1.3 mi)
Parking	USFS lists two spaces at the Warm Springs Trailhead, one of them for stock

Things to do near Powell

attraction

Lolo Pass Visitor Center

Log visitor center at the Idaho-Montana line with Lewis and Clark and Nez Perce history; Thu-Mon.

park

Powell Campground

Riverside USFS campground on the Lochsa, open May 15-Oct 31, walking distance to Lochsa Lodge.

park

Jerry Johnson Campground

20-site USFS campground across Highway 12 from the Lochsa; seasonal.

Campgrounds

Trailheads

Warm Springs Creek Trailhead1.1 mi
Weir Creek Trailhead7.7 mi

Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Nearby springs

Wild springTemporarily closed

Weir Creek Hot Springs

Powell, ID · 0.5 mi hike

An undeveloped hot spring above Weir Creek near milepost 142 of US Highway 12, with its main pool on a rock slab overlooking the creek. It is about a half-mile uphill walk from the highway. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests closed the site at night in 2022 after injuries and vandalism, and the regional tourism office now lists it as closed until further notice.

Minerals135 mg/LSodium–sulfate

FreeView

Wild spring

Stanley Hot Springs

Lowell, ID · 5 mi hike

Backcountry soaking pools in a clearing above the trail, fed by hot water flowing toward Huckleberry Creek. They are about five miles up Boulder Creek Trail 211 from Wilderness Gateway Campground on US Highway 12, past Huckleberry Flat and across Boulder Creek. The regional tourism office recommends late spring, summer or early winter.

FreeView

Resort & lodgingClothing opt.

Lolo Hot Springs Resort

Lolo, MT

A historic hot springs on US 12 in the Lolo National Forest, between the town of Lolo and the Idaho border. It has an indoor hot pool at about 103-106F and an outdoor pool at roughly 74-85F, plus a bar, restaurant, cabins and RV and tent sites. On Wednesday and Sunday nights from 9pm the pools are 18+ and clothing optional.

60°F74–106°F125°F

Minerals245 mg/LSodium–sulfate · high silica

From $16View

Weir Creek Hot Springs: 8 mi · Stanley Hot Springs: 21 mi · Lolo Hot Springs Resort: 24 mi

Sources (7)

· checked November 2026

Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.