Russian John Warm Springs
Open
Accessible all year; the pullout may be plowed in during winter, and as a warm spring it suits the warmer months best.Open seasons
- Access
- Roadside pullout on Highway 75 in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, about 18 miles north of Ketchum. It is a warm spring — the federal thermal springs inventory records 100 °F — with warm water percolating up through the sandy bottom of a shallow, mortar-reinforced rock pool.
- Accommodations
- No camping at or near the spring; official and primitive camping areas are nearby.
Russian John Warm Springs is a shallow warm spring north of Ketchum in the Sawtooth National Forest — and “warm” is the honest word for it. Warm water percolates up through the sandy bottom of a mortar-reinforced rock pool, making it a pleasant summer soak and foot-warmer with a view, rather than a hot winter destination.
Pool Condition
A shallow pool with mortar-reinforced rock walls and a sandy bottom; warm water percolates up through the sand. The water is clear with a slight odor. Use is heavy during the warmer months.
Seasonal Notes
Accessible all year, though the pullout may be plowed in during the winter months — and as a warm spring, it suits the warmer months best.
Camping
No camping at or near the spring, but plenty of official and primitive camping areas are nearby.
Russian John Warm Springs Soak Stats
- Access Type: Roadside
- Public Land: Sawtooth National Forest
- Elevation: 6,900 ft
- GPS: 43.805, -114.585
- Water Temperature: Warm (not documented)
- Water Clarity: Clear
- Visibility: Moderate
- Odor(s): Slight
- Nearest Town: Ketchum (north of)
- Wildlife: Deer, elk
- Usage Level: Heavy during warmer months
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot is Russian John Warm Springs?
It is a warm spring, not a hot one: the federal thermal springs inventory records 100 °F. Warm water percolates up through the sandy bottom, making it a pleasant summer soak and foot-warmer rather than a hot winter destination.
Where is it?
A roadside pullout on Highway 75 about 18 miles north of Ketchum, across from the Russian John Guard Station in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.
When can you soak?
Accessible all year, though the pullout may be plowed in during the winter months; it suits the warmer months best.
Can you camp there?
No camping at or near the spring, but plenty of official and primitive camping areas are nearby.
What is the pool like?
A shallow, mortar-reinforced rock pool with clear water and a slight odor; use is heavy during the warmer months.
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