Crane Creek Hot Springs

Washington County, Idaho · Near Weiser
44.3060°N, 116.7450°W · 2,400 ft
198°F 39°F air · Good soaking weather 2,400 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (11.0 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 198°F, the source water at Crane Creek Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Aerial view of the ground around Crane Creek Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Crane Creek Hot Springs
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.

Near boiling. Crane Creek Hot Springs emerges at a hair under two hundred degrees, and the USGS measured its flow at a hundredth of a cubic foot per second, which is a trickle. It lies about five hundred feet from Lower Crane Road in Washington County, roughly twelve miles from Weiser. Nobody has recorded the land owner, and no public access is on record.

Location

The land is low and dry, around twenty-four hundred feet, with little snow and only about thirteen inches of precipitation a year. A short walk off Lower Crane Road covers the distance. Mann Creek Campground, the nearest listed camping, is eleven miles away. The owner of the ground is not in the file.

Do not put skin anywhere near the source; water this hot cooks. Winter months are rated best in the record, and with light snowfall that is believable here. The pH, near neutral, comes from an August 1973 reading. Access and ownership are blank, so find out before you go.

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 Crane Creek Hot Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
82 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 19% 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
29°
Jan
35°
Feb
44°
Mar
51°
Apr
61°
May
70°
Jun
81°
Jul
80°
Aug
69°
Sep
53°
Oct
40°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.8 in Annual Snow: 20.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 198°F · +169° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 198°F · +167° contrast
February Air 35°F · Water 198°F · +163° contrast
January offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
39°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 71° Low 53° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +127° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 55° Sunny
Spring is +119° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 52° Rain Showers Likely 57% precip
Spring is +126° warmer
Friday 73° Low 51° Sunny 13% precip
Spring is +125° warmer
Saturday 76° Low 52° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +122° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1973-08-02

The water at Crane Creek Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.8 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 29 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 280 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 250 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 200 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Mann Creek Campground 11.0 mi away

Overview Mann Creek Campground is located near the Mann Creek Reservoir in the foothills of the West Central Mountains in western Idaho near the Payette National Forest. The reservoir is a popular boating and fishing destination.  Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation....

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
198°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 198°F (92°C)
Avg Air Temp 54°F
Above Ambient +144°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Lower Crane Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Crane Creek Hot Springs?
Crane Creek Hot Springs has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Crane Creek Hot Springs located?
Crane Creek Hot Springs is located in Washington County, Idaho at 2,400 feet elevation, near Weiser. Coordinates: 44.3060°N, 116.7450°W.
How do I get to Crane Creek Hot Springs?
Crane Creek Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Lower Crane Road (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Crane Creek Hot Springs?
Yes, Mann Creek Campground is located nearby (11.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Crane Creek Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.8 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Crane Creek Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Crane Creek Hot Springs reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS