Lunchbreak Warm Springs
Seasonal
Lukewarm, not hot; buried by spring runoff, road closed in winterOpen seasons
- Access
- Reached by a bumpy single-track road ending on the Salmon River's far bank, opposite Highway 75
- Accommodations
- No lodging; primitive sites along the forest road and big flat sites on the bench above the pool (pit toilets there), plus campgrounds along Highway 75
Lunchbreak Warm Springs is a medium-sized, lukewarm — not hot — soak on the far side of the Salmon River in the White Cloud Mountains, in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area near Stanley, Idaho. A single rock-walled pool, a sandy beach, and picnic facilities make it a favorite stop for river floaters on a hot summer day.
Description
One pool with rock walls and a sandy, silty bottom — the bottom is also the source, with warm water percolating up through it. The water is clear with no odor. The spring sits at the end of a bumpy, single-track road on the opposite side of the river from Highway 75, near Slate Creek Hot Springs. Expect company from the river: floaters of all types stop here, and both highway and river traffic are part of the scene.
Seasonal Notes
The pool is buried under spring runoff, and the access road closes during winter.
Camping
Plenty of primitive sites along the forest road and many primitive and official campgrounds along Highway 75. Large, flat sites sit on the bench above the pool, complete with pit toilets.
Lunchbreak Warm Springs Soak Stats
- Access Type: Roadside (single-track forest road)
- Public Land: Sawtooth National Forest / Sawtooth National Recreation Area
- Elevation: 5,690 ft
- Water Temperature: Lukewarm
- Water Clarity: Clear
- Visibility: High
- Odor(s): None
- Nearest Area: White Cloud Mountains, near Stanley
- Wildlife: Deer
- Usage Level: Low-moderate
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the water actually hot?
No. This is a lukewarm soak, not a hot one. Warm water percolates up through the pool's sandy bottom, and the water is clear with no odor.
What does it cost to visit?
The listing states no fee for the spring, and no official source publishes one. Not verified.
Do I need a reservation?
No. It is an undeveloped river stop on public land, with nothing to book.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer, when floaters stop here on hot days. Spring runoff buries the pool, and winter closes the access road.
How do you reach it?
It sits off a bumpy single-track forest road on the Salmon River's far side from Highway 75, close to Slate Creek Hot Springs, and floaters reach it straight from the river.
Can I camp nearby?
Yes. Primitive sites line the forest road, the bench above the pool has large flat sites with pit toilets, and Highway 75 has many campgrounds, primitive and official alike.
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