Bernard Warm Springs
Seasonal
Forest road snow-covered until about April or May; 4x4 advisable in wet seasonsOpen seasons
- Access
- Roadside (Boise National Forest road; snow-covered in winter)
- Reservations
- None required
- Accommodations
- Primitive sites near the springs and along the main forest road
Bernard Warm Springs — also known as Smalley — is a long-forgotten warm spring in the Boise National Forest near Cascade, Idaho. Once a full-fledged hot springs resort, its seldom-used pool now sits inside the remnants of the old resort’s foundation, soaking at a mild 98°F.
Description
The pool has rock and log/tarp walls and a sandy, gravel bottom with a lot of algae and silt — a direct result of how rarely it gets used. The water underneath the algae is clear, with no odor noticed, and deer are sighted in the area.
Seasonal Notes
The Forest Service Road providing access is snow-covered all winter until approximately April or May. A 4×4 is advisable during the wet seasons, and snowmobile access may be possible in the winter months.
Camping
There are a few primitive sites near the springs (not very private), plus many more primitive sites accessible from the main forest road. Beware of poison ivy around the springs.
Bernard Warm Springs Soak Stats
- Season: Summer, fall
- Access Type: Roadside
- Public Land: Boise National Forest
- Elevation: Not documented
- Water Temperature: 98°F
- Water Clarity: Clear (beneath algae and silt)
- Visibility: Moderate-low
- Odor(s): None noticed
- Nearest Town: Cascade
- Wildlife: Deer
- Usage Level: Low
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot is the water?
About 98 degrees, warm rather than hot. Under the algae and silt on the surface, the water is clear and carries no odor.
When is the best time to visit?
Summer and fall, the listing's stated season. The access road stays snow-covered until about April or May, and a 4x4 is advisable whenever the road is wet; snowmobile access may be possible in winter.
How hard is the access?
The spring is roadside in the Boise National Forest near Cascade, but the road does the gating: snowbound into spring and rough when wet.
Can I camp nearby?
Yes: primitive camping exists close to the springs, with many more sites strung along the main forest road; the spots nearest the spring are not very private. Watch for poison ivy around the springs.
Is Bernard the same spring as Smalley?
Yes, in the guide tradition: Smalley is the other name for this spring. The alias is tradition repeated by guides, not an agency record (Not verified).
What remains of the old resort?
Per the listing, the pool occupies what is left of the old resort's foundation, held by rock and log-and-tarp walls over a sandy, gravel bottom.
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