Kent Warm Spring

Oneida County, Idaho · Near Malad City
42.3390°N, 112.4360°W · 4,280 ft
75°F 4,280 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (8.2 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Kent Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Kent 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.

Kent Warm Spring is in Oneida County, Idaho, fourteen miles from Malad City. Calling it warm is generous. The recorded temperature sits barely above room temperature, so this is water you might notice in passing on a walk. Ownership and access status are both blank. Chemistry got tested once in 1972 and not since.

Location

From Daniels Road the walk is short, a few hundred feet. Nobody is named as land owner and no land unit appears. This is moderate elevation in southeastern Idaho, with winters that bring around five feet of snow and modest precipitation across the year. The county and the road name are all the record gives for surroundings.

The best season on record is winter, odd as that sounds for water this cool. Malad Summit Campground is about eight miles off. There is no temperature hazard here. Do check who owns the ground, because the record is silent on that and on public access, and bear in mind the chemistry figure is over fifty years old.

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 Kent Warm Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the east.
Highest ground nearby
262 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
114 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 65% 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
23°
Jan
27°
Feb
36°
Mar
43°
Apr
54°
May
66°
Jun
75°
Jul
74°
Aug
64°
Sep
48°
Oct
35°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 19.9 in Annual Snow: 61.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 23°F · Water 75°F · +52° contrast
December Air 23°F · Water 75°F · +52° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 75°F · +49° contrast
January offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Today 74° Low 49° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +1° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 54° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 20% precip
Thursday 73° Low 48° Light Rain Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 70% precip
Spring is +2° warmer
Friday 72° Low 45° Sunny 11% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Saturday 73° Low 45° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +2° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-05-17

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

pH 7.7 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 56 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 19 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 15 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 18 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 35 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Malad Summit Campground 8.2 mi away

Overview Malad Summit Campground is situated next to Mill Creek, just 14 miles north of Malad, Idaho, at an elevation of 6,100 feet. Visitors enjoy hiking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle riding on the area's many trails.Recreation Mill Creek offers cutthroat and rainbow trout fishing. Numerous trails begin nearby, including the 12-mile multi-use Summit Trail, which connects with Farmers Canyon, East Elkhorn and Wright Creek trails. Old Canyon and South Canyon trails begin a short dista...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
75°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 75°F (24°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +28°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Daniels Road
Distance to Road 369 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Kent Warm Spring?
Kent Warm Spring has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Kent Warm Spring located?
Kent Warm Spring is located in Oneida County, Idaho at 4,280 feet elevation, near Malad City. Coordinates: 42.3390°N, 112.4360°W.
How do I get to Kent Warm Spring?
Kent Warm Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Daniels Road (369 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Kent Warm Spring?
Yes, Malad Summit Campground is located nearby (8.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Kent 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