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TURNING UP THE HEAT with these Highway Hot Springs
Burgdorf Hot Springs. PHOTO BY KAREN DAY
Soak Up Summer In Scenic Idaho
BY JODIE NICOTRA
Hot springs aficionados in Idaho have plenty of choices when it comes to mineral-rich thermal waters. Thanks to its geology, the Gem State has 130 soakable hot springs, the most of any US state.
While most hot springs lie in the center and south of the state, the northeast part of the state offers an especially scenic cluster of natural hot springs: Weir Creek, Jerry Johnson, and Stanley. Their proximity to Montana makes them a nice jumping off point for a visit to Missoula, Glacier, Yellowstone, or other summer adventures.
All three hot springs lie along Highway 12, the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway, which winds along the Lochsa Wild and Scenic River.
Located within 10 miles of each other and an easy drive from Missoula, Weir and Jerry Johnson are among the most frequented hot springs in the area.
“They’re incredibly popular. Both Weir and Jerry Johnson get a ton of visitation every year,” said Sacha Wells, an interpretive ranger at nearby Lolo Pass Visitor Center.
Parking for the first stop along Highway 12, Weir Creek Hot Springs can be found at MP 142.1. Visitors are encouraged to take advantage of the bathroom located at the trailhead, as the pools themselves lack facilities.
The pools can be accessed via a .7 mile hike on a moderately steep trail. While the footing is fine in the summer, crampons are recommended for winter visits, as the trail can be icy and treacherous. In fact, emergency personnel no longer serve the area owing to the difficulty of access during winter months.
Weir Creek has two pools. The main pool, with a solid rock bottom, seats about 8-10 people. The smaller pool, up the hillside from the main pool, seats one or two.
“There’s an intimacy about the main pool, and I like the way it sits up above the river,” said Roger Lynn, a former Idaho resident visiting from Boulder, Colorado. “Last time I was here, a friend and I sat in the upper pool for a couple of hours. It was snowing and felt very secluded and private. I have very fond memories of that experience.”
About 10 miles up the highway from Weir Creek lies Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. Visitors can park in the lot between mile markers 151 and 152 and walk across the highway and the pack bridge to the Warm Springs Trailhead. It’s about a mile-long walk to get to the pools.
Jerry Johnson consists of three different pools. Two sit away from the river, and are available for soaking year round. The third series of pools is waterfall-fed and sits almost down in the river. As such, it’s typically submerged until late summer.
The Idaho Batholith, 15,400 square miles of mountains created over millions of years by colliding tectonic plates, created an abundance of Idaho hot springs.
“I feel like I’m tucked into a warm bath in the middle of the river, and I like being able to hop from one micro-pool to the next,” said Mike Niemeyer from Oakland, California, who was visiting with a local friend.
Owing to their popularity, Weir Creek and Jerry Johnson are closed from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m., and no overnight camping is permitted. Law enforcement frequently patrols the area, and violators will be issued a citation.
Getting to Stanley Hot Springs is more of a commitment. The 5-mile hike in from the Wilderness Gateway Campground to the springs includes a stream crossing that can be dangerous when water levels are high.
For many, though, the destination makes the trek worth it.
“The nice thing about Stanley is there are three different pools, which all vary in temperature. So you can sit where it’s as hot as you like,” Wells said.
Primitive camping is allowed around Stanley. Visitors can also camp at the Wilderness Gateway Campground at the start of the trail. As the trail isn’t always well-marked, visitors should study the map before they go.
Finally, if you’re headed north from the Treasure Valley, don’t forget about Burgdorf Hot Springs, which combines a certain rustic, eclectic charm with crystal clear water 32 miles north of McCall in the Payette National Forest. Available by reservation only, this hot springs is not accessible from December through April by car. Instead, travel by snowmobile! It is slightly more developed, so enjoy amenities like changing rooms, snacks, and multiple pools.
If you plan to visit hot springs or any of Idaho’s wild places, be a good steward. Bring bags to pack out your own trash, and consider picking up litter that you find in the area. Stay on the trails and be gentle with foliage. Also be aware that moose and other animals often frequent the area, and should be treated with respect.
For more information on these or other Idaho hot springs and to plan your soaking getaway, check out the interactive map at Visit Idaho.
