Thoroughbred Warm Springs

Elko County, Idaho · Near Jackpot
42.0150°N, 114.2370°W · 5,922 ft
69°F 35°F air · Good soaking weather 5,922 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (10.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Thoroughbred Warm Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Thoroughbred Warm 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.

Thoroughbred Warm Springs is barely warm, high sixties, and sits in the Sawtooth National Forest near 6,000 feet, about fourteen miles from Jackpot. The county on record is Elko. The record marks access open, and the spring is reached by walking 0.8 miles from Thoroughbred Ridge Road. Do not expect a soak; this is a cool spring.

Location

High, dry forest land. Snow runs about 55 inches and precipitation sixteen, with year-round temperatures averaging mid forties. Forest Service ground. Thoroughbred Ridge Road is the access road, with under a mile to cover from it on foot. Nothing in the record describes the spring itself. no fee is on record and the designation is plain National Forest.

The best months given are December through February. Porcupine Springs campground is about ten and a half miles out. There is no USGS sample, and the temperature carries no date. No fee is recorded. With so little on file, the visit is mostly to see what is there.

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 Thoroughbred Warm Springs.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
462 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the north
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from north to south, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
116 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 69% 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
24°
Feb
32°
Mar
40°
Apr
50°
May
62°
Jun
72°
Jul
71°
Aug
60°
Sep
45°
Oct
32°
Nov
21°
Dec
Annual Precip: 16.0 in Annual Snow: 54.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 21°F · Water 69°F · +48° contrast
December Air 21°F · Water 69°F · +48° contrast
February Air 24°F · Water 69°F · +45° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
35°F
ENE 10.8 mph Good soaking weather
Today 71° Low 43° Mostly Sunny
Wednesday 74° Low 49° Sunny then Slight Chance Rain Showers 19% precip
Thursday 70° Low 43° Slight Chance Light Rain then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 22% precip
Friday 68° Low 41° Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +1° warmer
Saturday 71° Low 43° Sunny 6% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Porcupine Springs 10.6 mi away

Overview Porcupine Springs Campground is located along the scenic Rock Creek Road, in southern Idaho. It sits at an elevation of 6,950 feet. Visitors enjoy the area for its abundance of trails and scenic beauty.Recreation Numerous hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails begin within or near the campground, including Porcupine Springs, Ross Falls, Rim View, Pike Mountain and Third Fork trails. Fishing is popular on Rock Creek.Facilities This large campground contains three...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,922 ft

Thoroughbred Warm Springs sits at 5,922 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
69°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 69°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 44°F
Above Ambient +25°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Thoroughbred Ridge Road
Distance to Road 0.8 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Sawtooth National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Thoroughbred Warm Springs?
Thoroughbred Warm Springs has a water temperature of 69°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Thoroughbred Warm Springs located?
Thoroughbred Warm Springs is located in Elko County, Idaho at 5,922 feet elevation, near Jackpot. Coordinates: 42.0150°N, 114.2370°W.
How do I get to Thoroughbred Warm Springs?
Thoroughbred Warm Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Thoroughbred Ridge Road (0.8 mi from the road).
Is Thoroughbred Warm Springs free to visit?
Thoroughbred Warm Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Thoroughbred Warm Springs?
Yes, Porcupine Springs is located nearby (10.6 miles away).