Teapot Hot Springs

Teapot Hot Springs is a cluster of five to seven seasonal pools at the base of Teapot Mountain, wedged between the South Fork Salmon River and the forest road in the Warm Lake/Yellow Pine area. You’ll smell it before you see it — the sulfur odor is strong enough to notice while driving by — and only one pool is genuinely soakable, at about 107°F.

Pool Condition

The seasonal pools have rock and sand walls with sand and gravel bottoms, and they tend to be mucky and loaded with algae. All of them submerge during spring runoff. The water clarity runs low-murky, and the strong sulfur smell is the spring’s defining feature.

Seasonal Notes

The road in is passable much of the year, but the soak itself is seasonal. In winter, the Warm Lake Highway and FSR 474 North require a 4×4 to travel safely. The streamside pools go under during spring runoff.

Camping

Plenty of National Forest camping is available nearby. There is no camping at the hot springs.

Teapot Hot Springs Soak Stats

• Access Type: Roadside
• Public Land: Payette National Forest (Krassel Ranger District)
• Elevation: 3,840 ft
• Water Temperature: ~107°F (only soakable pool)
• Water Clarity: Low-murky
• Visibility: High
• Odor(s): Strong sulfur
• Nearest Area: Warm Lake / Yellow Pine
• Wildlife: Deer, elk, moose, fox, black bear
• Usage Level: Low