Fall Creek Mineral Springs

Teton County, Idaho · Near Victor
43.4230°N, 111.4140°W · 5,398 ft
77°F 5,398 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (2.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Fall Creek Mineral Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Fall Creek Mineral 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.

Fall Creek Mineral Springs is warm, upper seventies, and what sets it apart is the mineral load: the water carries over two thousand milligrams per liter of dissolved solids, a heavy load that includes iron. It is in the Caribou National Forest in Teton County, about twenty miles from Victor, with open access and a brief walk in from the road.

Location

National Forest Development Road 077 gets you within about 450 feet. The spring is at fifty-four hundred feet, with eight feet of snow over an ordinary winter and moderate precipitation. Falls Campground is under three miles away. Forest Service land. How the walk goes is not recorded, and the pools themselves go undescribed.

the record leans winter. Water is warm, no burn concern. The chemistry sample dates from August 1939, old enough that the mineral numbers should be treated as history. Falls Campground is close, under three miles, which makes an overnight easy to arrange. the record reads open.

History of Fall Creek Mineral Springs

The USGS analysis on file for this spring was taken on August 26, 1939, and it is that sample that records the iron and the heavy dissolved-solids load.

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 Fall Creek Mineral Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 46% 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
22°
Jan
26°
Feb
33°
Mar
38°
Apr
48°
May
60°
Jun
70°
Jul
68°
Aug
59°
Sep
44°
Oct
30°
Nov
21°
Dec
Annual Precip: 25.4 in Annual Snow: 96.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 21°F · Water 77°F · +56° contrast
January Air 22°F · Water 77°F · +55° contrast
February Air 26°F · Water 77°F · +51° contrast
December offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Today 70° Low 45° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +7° warmer
Wednesday 74° Low 50° Sunny 11% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Thursday 70° Low 46° Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms 77% precip
Spring is +7° warmer
Friday 64° Low 42° Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 27% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Saturday 67° Low 42° Slight Chance Light Rain then Sunny 15% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1939-08-26

The water at Fall Creek Mineral Springs contains 2140 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 250 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 60 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 440 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 150 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 730 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 380 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Falls Campground 2.7 mi away

Overview Falls Campground is located next to the Snake River in beautiful Swan Valley at an elevation of 5,100 feet. Idaho Falls, Idaho is just 45 miles west. Visitors enjoy fishing and canoeing on the Snake and viewing local wildlife.Recreation The Snake River offers excellent cutthroat trout fishing, canoeing, floating, rafting and kayaking. Conant Boat Ramp is nearby and open to the public.Facilities The campground offers one group site that can accommodate up to 150 people. Several singl...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,398 ft

Fall Creek Mineral Springs sits at 5,398 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
77°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 77°F (25°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +34°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road National Forest Development Road 077
Distance to Road 455 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Caribou National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Fall Creek Mineral Springs?
Fall Creek Mineral Springs has a water temperature of 77°F (25°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Fall Creek Mineral Springs located?
Fall Creek Mineral Springs is located in Teton County, Idaho at 5,398 feet elevation, near Victor. Coordinates: 43.4230°N, 111.4140°W.
How do I get to Fall Creek Mineral Springs?
Fall Creek Mineral Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being National Forest Development Road 077 (455 ft from the road).
Is Fall Creek Mineral Springs free to visit?
Fall Creek Mineral Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Fall Creek Mineral Springs?
Yes, Falls Campground is located nearby (2.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Fall Creek Mineral Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 2,140 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS