Wilson Lake Warm Spring

Caribou County, Idaho · Near Soda Springs
43.0210°N, 111.6950°W · 6,134 ft
86°F 6,134 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (6.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Wilson Lake Warm Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Wilson Lake 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.

Wilson Lake Warm Spring lies in Caribou County about twenty-six miles from Soda Springs, off Government Dam Road, and the water is lukewarm. The temperature on file sits a little under body heat, warm on the skin and no hotter. No water chemistry has been recorded and no USGS site is attached. Owner and access status are missing as well. The temperature stands alone, with no sample date next to it.

Location

Government Dam Road gets you to within five hundred feet or so; the last stretch is on foot. The ground here tops six thousand feet. Close to ninety inches of snow falls in an average winter, with little moisture the rest of the time. Whose land this is, and what unit it falls in, the record leaves blank.

The record suggests December through February. Sage Hen Flats Campground, something over six miles off, is where the nearest camping is recorded. The water is cool enough that heat is no concern. Everything else needs confirming on the ground, starting with permission to be there, because no access status is recorded.

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 Wilson Lake Warm Spring.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
35 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
123 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 74% 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
19°
Jan
22°
Feb
30°
Mar
36°
Apr
47°
May
59°
Jun
68°
Jul
67°
Aug
57°
Sep
42°
Oct
29°
Nov
18°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.9 in Annual Snow: 87.7 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 18°F · Water 86°F · +68° contrast
January Air 19°F · Water 86°F · +67° contrast
February Air 22°F · Water 86°F · +64° contrast
December offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
Today 72° Low 43° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +14° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 48° Sunny 11% precip
Spring is +10° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 42° Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 73% precip
Spring is +14° warmer
Friday 68° Low 38° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain 18% precip
Spring is +18° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 37° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +16° warmer
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Sage Hen Flats Campground 6.6 mi away

This BLM managed site located along the Blackfoot River that has opportunities for fishing, camping, and non-motorized boating. Campground rules and regulations are posted at the site. There are no dumpsters on site, visitors must pack in and out their trash. Campsites: 4 semi-developed sites--- At this time, there is not a reservation system in place for the campsites. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. This site is equipped with vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, horse...

Stay limit 14 Days
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,134 ft

Wilson Lake Warm Spring sits at 6,134 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 25% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
86°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 86°F (30°C)
Avg Air Temp 41°F
Above Ambient +45°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Government Dam Road
Distance to Road 0.1 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Wilson Lake Warm Spring?
Wilson Lake Warm Spring has a water temperature of 86°F (30°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Wilson Lake Warm Spring located?
Wilson Lake Warm Spring is located in Caribou County, Idaho at 6,134 feet elevation, near Soda Springs. Coordinates: 43.0210°N, 111.6950°W.
How do I get to Wilson Lake Warm Spring?
Wilson Lake Warm Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Government Dam Road (0.1 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Wilson Lake Warm Spring?
Yes, Sage Hen Flats Campground is located nearby (6.6 miles away).