Birdsie Warm Spring

Mineral County, Colorado · Near Creede
37.7280°N, 107.0540°W · 8,979 ft
86°F 37°F air 8,979 ft Roadside Camping nearby (5.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Birdsie Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Birdsie Warm Spring
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Birdsie Warm Spring is a lukewarm spring a mile and a half from Creede in Mineral County, Colorado, at nearly nine thousand feet. The water falls short of bath temperature. The USGS carries it as a site and sampled it in 1976, finding alkaline water with iron among the minerals. Access status and land owner are both missing from the file, so nobody can say from this page who controls it.

Location

The Silver Thread Scenic Byway passes a couple hundred feet away, so this is a pull-over roadside spot, no walk. High country, with winters that pile up the better part of seven feet of snow and a yearly average in the high thirties. Rainfall is moderate. Owner and land unit go unmentioned.

The listed months are December through February; winter roads in this part of Colorado need checking. Roadside off the byway. Marshall Park campground is about six miles away per the record. Fees are not recorded. The chemistry is half a century old. no public access is on record, and the water is too cool to count on for a warm soak in cold weather.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Birdsie Warm Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the north.
Highest ground nearby
292 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
146 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 92% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
18°
Jan
21°
Feb
29°
Mar
35°
Apr
42°
May
55°
Jun
60°
Jul
58°
Aug
52°
Sep
40°
Oct
26°
Nov
18°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.4 in Annual Snow: 81.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 18°F · Water 86°F · +68° contrast
December Air 18°F · Water 86°F · +68° contrast
February Air 21°F · Water 86°F · +65° contrast
January offers 42°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
37°F
Thunderstorms WSW 37.0 mph 100%
Today 70° Low 44° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 36% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Wednesday 64° Low 44° Showers And Thunderstorms 85% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Thursday 63° Low 40° Showers And Thunderstorms 92% precip
Spring is +23° warmer
Friday 68° Low 30° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 70% precip
Spring is +18° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 29° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 53% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1976-08-20

The water at Birdsie Warm Spring is alkaline (pH 8.6).

pH 8.6 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 4 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 42 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 3 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 3 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 40 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Marshall Park 5.6 mi away

Overview Marshall Park Campground is situated in an open meadow on the Rio Grande River with views of Bristol Head Peak and the La Garita Mountains. Campers enjoy trout fishing, boating and the area's diverse wildlife. It also makes for a great base camp for hunters in the area.Recreation Anglers will find an abundance of rainbow trout in the Rio Grande, which is considered a trophy river. The river also welcomes wading and exploration. Off-road vehicle trails are nearby as well.Facilities Am...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
High Altitude Advisory 8,979 ft

At 8,979 feet, Birdsie Warm Spring is in high-altitude territory where the air is noticeably thinner. Soaking in hot water accelerates dehydration and can amplify altitude effects like headache and fatigue. UV radiation is roughly 36% stronger here. Wear sunscreen even on overcast days and take breaks from the water to rehydrate.

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Temperature
86°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 86°F (30°C)
Avg Air Temp 38°F
Above Ambient +48°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Silver Thread Scenic Byway
Distance to Road 149 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Birdsie Warm Spring?
Birdsie Warm Spring has a water temperature of 86°F (30°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Birdsie Warm Spring located?
Birdsie Warm Spring is located in Mineral County, Colorado at 8,979 feet elevation, near Creede. Coordinates: 37.7280°N, 107.0540°W.
How do I get to Birdsie Warm Spring?
Birdsie Warm Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Silver Thread Scenic Byway (149 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Birdsie Warm Spring?
Yes, Marshall Park is located nearby (5.6 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Birdsie Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.6 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia