Fairchild Hot Spring

Washington County, Idaho · Near Weiser
44.5310°N, 116.7540°W · 2,700 ft
126°F 2,700 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (9.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Fairchild Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Fairchild Hot 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.

Fairchild Hot Spring is low-country hot water in Washington County, about twenty-two miles from Weiser and a few hundred feet off Reeds Grove Road. The temperature on file is well into the hot range, and touching the source would be unwise. Ownership is unrecorded. So is public access, and that is the thing to resolve first.

Location

Twenty-seven hundred feet, dry, with three feet or so of snow each winter, which is light for Idaho. The walk in from Reeds Grove Road is under four hundred feet. Spring Creek Campground is about ten miles. The file is silent on what the spring looks like and who tends the ground.

Winter is the rated season and the light snow makes that plausible. Hot: test first. The chemistry is from a June 1972 sample, over fifty years old. Access status unknown. Spring Creek Campground for camping, ten miles, so this reads as a day visit.

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 Fairchild Hot Spring.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
32 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
76 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 11% 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
28°
Jan
33°
Feb
42°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
67°
Jun
77°
Jul
77°
Aug
66°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
30°
Dec
Annual Precip: 20.1 in Annual Snow: 36.5 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 28°F · Water 126°F · +98° contrast
December Air 30°F · Water 126°F · +97° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 126°F · +93° contrast
January offers 49°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
Today 74° Low 51° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +52° warmer
Wednesday 82° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +44° warmer
Thursday 75° Low 50° Rain Showers Likely 61% precip
Spring is +51° warmer
Friday 77° Low 50° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny 16% precip
Spring is +49° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 52° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +47° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-06-27

The water at Fairchild Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.5).

pH 8.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 8 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 1 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 80 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 110 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 15 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Spring Creek Campground 9.9 mi away

Overview Spring Creek Campground is located along the peaceful Spring Creek in the Hitt Mountains of western Idaho. Visitors enjoy relaxing along the gentle creek, fishing and exploring local trails.  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.gov/mobile-app prior to your...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
126°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 126°F (52°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +75°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Reeds Grove Road
Distance to Road 383 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Fairchild Hot Spring?
Fairchild Hot Spring has a water temperature of 126°F (52°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Fairchild Hot Spring located?
Fairchild Hot Spring is located in Washington County, Idaho at 2,700 feet elevation, near Weiser. Coordinates: 44.5310°N, 116.7540°W.
How do I get to Fairchild Hot Spring?
Fairchild Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Reeds Grove Road (383 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Fairchild Hot Spring?
Yes, Spring Creek Campground is located nearby (9.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Fairchild Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.5 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Fairchild Hot Spring?
With care. At 126°F Fairchild Hot Spring is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS