Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring

Custer County, Idaho · Near Challis
44.3820°N, 114.0880°W · 5,640 ft
93°F 36°F air · Good soaking weather 5,640 ft Roadside Camping nearby (20.4 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Little Antelope Flat 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.

Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring is a roadside thermal point in Custer County, eleven miles from Challis. Soaking warm water, low nineties, that tested close to neutral in 1984. Owner and access status are blank. It has a USGS site number, a temperature, one old chemistry sample, and not much else on record.

Location

Ninety feet or so separates the spring from the road. We cannot tell you which road. Elevation is fifty-six hundred feet. Snow is moderate, five feet or so a year, in a dry climate. Herd Lake Campground, twenty miles off, is the closest campground our data has. Nobody has entered a land unit for it.

By our numbers midwinter is driest. Roadside access means no walk. Check for posting, because access has never been recorded here. The 1984 sample is the most recent information we have, and the temperature came from that same visit, so treat both as dated.

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 Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 92% 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
21°
Jan
23°
Feb
31°
Mar
37°
Apr
49°
May
60°
Jun
71°
Jul
70°
Aug
59°
Sep
44°
Oct
31°
Nov
19°
Dec
Annual Precip: 14.7 in Annual Snow: 59.1 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 19°F · Water 93°F · +74° contrast
January Air 21°F · Water 93°F · +72° contrast
February Air 23°F · Water 93°F · +70° contrast
December offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
36°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 75% Good soaking weather
Today 72° Low 42° Sunny
Spring is +21° warmer
Wednesday 75° Low 48° Sunny 11% precip
Spring is +18° warmer
Thursday 71° Low 45° Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms 75% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Friday 68° Low 43° Chance Light Rain 32% precip
Spring is +25° warmer
Saturday 71° Low 44° Sunny 8% precip
Spring is +22° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1984-03-08

The water at Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.4).

pH 7.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 68 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 28 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 39 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 130 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 11 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Herd Lake Campground 20.4 mi away

Herd Lake Campsite is adjacent to Jerry Peak-Jim McClure Wilderness. There is one (1) first come, first served campsite located 10 miles southeast of the East Fork Road on Herd Lake Road. The site is located about 1 mile north of Herd Lake, tucked down below the road and next to Herd Creek. The access road to the campsite is narrow with limited turn-around space. Use caution with trailers. A trail provides non-motorized access to the lake. Amenities include: 1 campsite with picnic table and...

Stay limit 14 Days
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,640 ft

Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring sits at 5,640 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 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
93°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 93°F (34°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +50°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 91 ft

Hike 2 waterfalls near Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring, Idaho.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring?
Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring has a water temperature of 93°F (34°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring located?
Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring is located in Custer County, Idaho at 5,640 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 44.3820°N, 114.0880°W.
How do I get to Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring?
Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring has Roadside road access (91 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring?
Yes, Herd Lake Campground is located nearby (20.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.4 (slightly alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS