Malad Warm Spring

Oneida County, Idaho · Near Malad City
42.1730°N, 112.2390°W · 4,495 ft
77°F 4,495 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (6.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Malad Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Malad 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.

Malad Warm Spring is a lukewarm mineral spring barely more than a mile outside Malad City in Oneida County, Idaho. On record the water is cool for a soak, closer to a tepid bath, and it carries a very heavy load of dissolved solids, with iron among the minerals. Neither owner nor access is recorded. The lone sample was taken in 1972.

Location

A short walk from an unnamed road, a few hundred feet, gets you there. Ownership is a blank, and so is the land unit. Moderate elevation, moderate winters. Snow comes to roughly fifty inches a year and the total precipitation is middling. Malad City is close, though the record says nothing about what the ground looks like.

Winter is the season the record points to. Third Creek Group Site, about six miles off, is the closest camping listed. Heat is not a hazard here. The chemistry that exists shows dissolved solids running very high. No owner has been identified and public access remains unconfirmed, so ask around locally before you walk in.

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 Malad Warm Spring.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
14 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
107 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 57% 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
24°
Jan
29°
Feb
38°
Mar
45°
Apr
55°
May
67°
Jun
77°
Jul
75°
Aug
65°
Sep
50°
Oct
37°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 18.5 in Annual Snow: 50.6 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 24°F · Water 77°F · +53° contrast
December Air 24°F · Water 77°F · +53° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 77°F · +48° contrast
January offers 53°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Today 80° Low 49° Mostly Sunny
Wednesday 84° Low 54° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 29% precip
Thursday 80° Low 49° Light Rain then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 77% precip
Friday 77° Low 45° Sunny 11% precip
Saturday 79° Low 45° Sunny 3% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-05-16

The water at Malad Warm Spring is slightly acidic (pH 6.5) with 4500 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).

pH 6.5 Slightly Acidic
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 240 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 79 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 1,200 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 25 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 2,100 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 270 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Third Creek Group Site 6.1 mi away

Overview Third Creek Group Campground is located just 12 miles northeast of Malad, Idaho, on the Weston Highway near Deep Creek Reservoir. Visitors enjoy exploring the local trail system and fishing at Deep Creek.Recreation Third Creek Trailhead is adjacent to the campground, complete with hitching racks for horses. It accesses the Oxford Peak Trail System and is open to hikers, bikers, motorcyclists and off-road vehicle users as well. Deep Creek Reservoir offers good trout, as well as boati...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
77°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 77°F (25°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +28°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 430 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Malad Warm Spring?
Malad Warm Spring has a water temperature of 77°F (25°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Malad Warm Spring located?
Malad Warm Spring is located in Oneida County, Idaho at 4,495 feet elevation, near Malad City. Coordinates: 42.1730°N, 112.2390°W.
How do I get to Malad Warm Spring?
Malad Warm Spring has Short Walk road access (430 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Malad Warm Spring?
Yes, Third Creek Group Site is located nearby (6.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Malad Warm Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.5 (slightly acidic). Total dissolved solids measure 4,500 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS