Dollar Creek Warm Spring

Valley County, Idaho · Near Cascade
44.7170°N, 115.7030°W · 4,960 ft
68°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 4,960 ft Open Roadside US Forest Service Camping nearby (4.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Dollar Creek Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Dollar Creek 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.

Dollar Creek is barely warm. The water comes out under seventy degrees, cooler than a swimming pool, so think of it as a curiosity on the map. It is right beside an unnamed road in Valley County, twenty-two miles out from Cascade, on open Forest Service land inside the Boise forest.

Location

Seventeen feet from the road, which the record does not name. The spring is close to five thousand feet up in country that takes better than sixteen feet of snow a winter, with heavy precipitation generally. Shoreline campground lies about five miles off. That is everything the record describes about the place.

The record lists the winter months as best. The water is near neutral pH, sampled in June 1980. At under seventy degrees there is no heat to worry about. Roadside and open, on national forest ground. Camping at Shoreline, a few miles off. Nobody should plan a soak around water this cool.

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 Dollar Creek Warm Spring.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
544 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
113 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 63% 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
26°
Jan
27°
Feb
33°
Mar
38°
Apr
45°
May
56°
Jun
68°
Jul
67°
Aug
57°
Sep
43°
Oct
31°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 37.9 in Annual Snow: 195.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 24°F · Water 68°F · +45° contrast
January Air 26°F · Water 68°F · +42° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 68°F · +41° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
34°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 42° Sunny
Wednesday 76° Low 47° Sunny 2% precip
Thursday 70° Low 45° Rain Showers 83% precip
Friday 69° Low 43° Chance Rain Showers 45% precip
Saturday 72° Low 44° Sunny 7% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1980-06-04

The water at Dollar Creek Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.7).

pH 7.7 Slightly 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 25 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 8 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 1 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Shoreline 4.7 mi away

Overview Shoreline Campground is located just across the road from beautiful Warm Lake, at an elevation of 5,300 feet. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, hiking and viewing local wildlife. Recreation Warm Lake offers great fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow, lake and bull trout. Boating, canoeing and swimming are popular activities. Billy Rice Swim Beach is nearby, offering a day-use site for picnicking and swimming. A boat ramp is located just across the road from the camp...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
68°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 68°F (20°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +25°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 17 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Boise National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Dollar Creek Warm Spring?
Dollar Creek Warm Spring has a water temperature of 68°F (20°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Dollar Creek Warm Spring located?
Dollar Creek Warm Spring is located in Valley County, Idaho at 4,960 feet elevation, near Cascade. Coordinates: 44.7170°N, 115.7030°W.
How do I get to Dollar Creek Warm Spring?
Dollar Creek Warm Spring has Roadside road access (17 ft from the road).
Is Dollar Creek Warm Spring free to visit?
Dollar Creek Warm Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Dollar Creek Warm Spring?
Yes, Shoreline is located nearby (4.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Dollar Creek Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS