Soda Springs

Caribou County, Idaho · Near Soda Springs
42.6570°N, 111.6040°W · 5,779 ft
82°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 5,779 ft Roadside Camping nearby (8.8 mi)

Soda Springs, the spring, sits inside the town of Soda Springs in Caribou County, under a mile from the center. The water is tepid, low eighties on a USGS measurement that dates to 1923. Land ownership and access have not been entered. Someone has put a photo on file.

Location

Geyser Loop runs a few feet away, about as roadside as it gets. The town sits high, with average temperatures in the low forties. Precipitation is about average, and the snow total lands near seven feet.

Eight Mile Guard Station, nine miles out, is what the record lists for camping. The record favors December through February. The temperature reading is over a hundred years old, so do not count on it. Ownership is not recorded.

History of Soda Springs

The Wikipedia entry on file describes the Soda Springs Geyser as an artesian well drilled into the carbonated aquifer beneath the town. Thousands of natural springs in the area were a landmark on the Oregon Trail.

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 Soda Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Soda Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Soda 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.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
25 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
86 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 24% 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
20°
Jan
23°
Feb
31°
Mar
37°
Apr
48°
May
59°
Jun
69°
Jul
67°
Aug
57°
Sep
42°
Oct
29°
Nov
19°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.6 in Annual Snow: 88.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 19°F · Water 82°F · +64° contrast
January Air 20°F · Water 82°F · +63° contrast
February Air 23°F · Water 82°F · +59° contrast
December offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
32°F
N 8.9 mph 80% Good soaking weather
Today 72° Low 41° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +10° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 47° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 22% precip
Spring is +6° warmer
Thursday 71° Low 40° Light Rain Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 74% precip
Spring is +11° warmer
Friday 69° Low 34° Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 17% precip
Spring is +13° warmer
Saturday 71° Low 34° Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +11° warmer
Where to Stay

Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Nearby Camping
Eight Mile Guard Station 8.8 mi away

Overview Eight Mile Guard Station is a short drive from Soda Springs, Idaho. It was established as early as 1908. Several buildings have appeared on this site, although most were replaced or relocated. The current cabin was built in 1962. The guard station only accessible by snowmobile in winter, and guests are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safety. Many conveniences are provided, especially in the warmer months, but additional supplies and gear may be needed to ensure a co...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,779 ft

Soda Springs sits at 5,779 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.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Temperature
82°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 82°F (28°C)
Avg Air Temp 42°F
Above Ambient +40°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Geyser Loop
Distance to Road 23 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Soda Springs?
Soda Springs has a water temperature of 82°F (28°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Soda Springs located?
Soda Springs is located in Caribou County, Idaho at 5,779 feet elevation, near Soda Springs. Coordinates: 42.6570°N, 111.6040°W.
How do I get to Soda Springs?
Soda Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Geyser Loop (23 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Soda Springs?
Yes, Eight Mile Guard Station is located nearby (8.8 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS, Wikipedia