Grape Creek Warm Spring

Cassia County, Idaho · Near Burley
42.0850°N, 113.5640°W · 5,136 ft
72°F 36°F air · Good soaking weather 5,136 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (10.8 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Grape Creek Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Grape 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.

Grape Creek Warm Spring sits on BLM ground in Cassia County, managed by the Burley Field Office; Burley itself is about 33 miles away. The water is tepid, 72 degrees, too cool for a real soak in anything but summer heat. Access is listed open. Independence Lakes Campground is about eleven miles away and is the nearest camping on file.

Location

Narrows Road runs within about 230 feet of the spring, so it is a roadside stop at a bit over five thousand feet. Winters are light here, three feet of snow or so in a dry climate. No photo, and nothing about the terrain.

On file, the good months are the cold ones, though water at 72 degrees will feel cold in January. Light snow means the road is rarely a problem. The chemistry dates to a 1977 sample and came back strongly alkaline. With access open, the main question is whether a tepid spring is worth the drive from Burley.

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 Grape Creek Warm Spring.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
50 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
155 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 95% 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
25°
Jan
28°
Feb
37°
Mar
45°
Apr
55°
May
67°
Jun
77°
Jul
75°
Aug
64°
Sep
49°
Oct
36°
Nov
25°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.6 in Annual Snow: 36.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 25°F · Water 72°F · +48° contrast
December Air 25°F · Water 72°F · +47° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 72°F · +44° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
36°F
NNE 3.6 mph Good soaking weather
Tuesday 78° Low 35° Mostly Sunny
Wednesday 81° Low 43° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 19% precip
Thursday 78° Low 49° Chance Light Rain then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 31% precip
Friday 75° Low 41° Sunny 10% precip
Saturday 77° Low 39° Sunny 4% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1977-04-26

The water at Grape Creek Warm Spring is alkaline (pH 9.4). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 9.4 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 140 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 29 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 250 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 200 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 350 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Independence Lakes Campground 10.8 mi away

Independence Lake Campground and Picnic Area is a non-fee campground and picnic area where reservations are not required. There are 5 single sites.  This area is accessible for a season that varies usually between July through October. Sites are handicapped accessible. Campground amenities include 9 tables and grills, toilets, and livestock facilities. No drinking water or trash service is available. Nearby Independence Lakes Trail (#35) is 3.1 miles to the Lake. Only non-motorized travel is...

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
72°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 72°F (22°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +24°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Narrows Road
Distance to Road 228 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Burley Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Grape Creek Warm Spring?
Grape Creek Warm Spring has a water temperature of 72°F (22°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Grape Creek Warm Spring located?
Grape Creek Warm Spring is located in Cassia County, Idaho at 5,136 feet elevation, near Burley. Coordinates: 42.0850°N, 113.5640°W.
How do I get to Grape Creek Warm Spring?
Grape Creek Warm Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Narrows Road (228 ft from the road).
Is Grape Creek Warm Spring free to visit?
Grape Creek Warm Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Grape Creek Warm Spring?
Yes, Independence Lakes Campground is located nearby (10.8 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Grape Creek Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.4 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS