Weir Creek Hot Springs
- Free
- 6 hr 30 min from Boise
- 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.
Visit North Central Idaho lists it closed until further notice because visitors ignored rules; no end date. Check with Lochsa-Powell RD.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Powell
- From Boise
- 6 hr 30 min
- Hike (one way)
- 0.5 mi
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Hours | When open: closed 8pm-6am under a 2022 Forest Service order |
|---|---|
| Season | Heavy snow has closed the trailhead and trail in past winters |
Tickets & booking
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| 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
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
Mineral profile
Total dissolved minerals
135 mg/L
Lightly mineralized · Sodium–sulfate (sodium sulfate water)
- pH
- 9.4
- Temp at source
- 117°F
- Lithium
- 0.04 mg/L
- Fluoride
- 2.1 mg/L
- Boron
- 0.03 mg/L
Lab analysis of the source water at “36n 11e 13b 1s Weir Creek Hot Sps”, 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 |
|---|---|
| Main poolOn a rock slab overlooking Weir Creek. | — |
As published by the venue. Temperatures shift with the seasons and the weather.
What's here
- main pool on a rock slab above Weir Creek
- short uphill forest trail
- Lochsa River corridor
- closed 8pm-6am under a 2022 USFS order
Getting there
- From Boise6 hr 30 min291 mi
- From Missoula (MT)1 hr 44 min77 mi
- From Missoula (MSO)1 hr 53 min80 mi
Typical driving time without traffic or snow, to the closest road point; add the hike.
| Elevation | 2,953 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Hike | 0.5 mi one way |
| Trail | About 0.5 mi uphill through the trees beside Weir Creek |
Things to do near Powell
Lochsa Historical Ranger Station
1925 backcountry ranger station and visitor center on Highway 12; open late May to early Sept.
Powell Campground
Riverside USFS campground on the Lochsa, open May 15-Oct 31, near Lochsa Lodge.
Lolo Pass Visitor Center
Visitor center and rest area at the Idaho-Montana line on Highway 12.
Campgrounds
- Jerry Johnson Campground6.3 mi
- Whitehouse Campground12.5 mi
- Giant Cedar13.9 mi
- Powell Campground15.3 mi
Trailheads
- Weir Creek Trailhead0.3 mi
- Warm Springs Creek Trailhead7.2 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
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.
Stanley Hot Springs
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.
Lolo Hot Springs Resort
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.
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs: 8 mi · Stanley Hot Springs: 15 mi · Lolo Hot Springs Resort: 30 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.
- visitnorthcentralidaho.org: Hot springs in north central idaho
- montanafreepress.org: Overnight closure implemented at popular weir creek hot springs
- bitterrootstar.com: Forest service to implement use restrictions at popular hot springs
- newstalkkgvo.com: Road closed to popular idaho hot springs west of lolo
- fs.usda.gov: Lochsa historical ranger station
- fs.usda.gov: Powell campground
- fs.usda.gov: Lolo pass visitor center