Jardine Hot Spring

Lemhi County, Montana · Near Salmon
45.3680°N, 113.4030°W · 6,480 ft
140°F 6,480 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (14.0 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 140°F, the source water at Jardine Hot Spring is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

The record places Jardine Hot Spring in Lemhi County, with Salmon given as the nearest town, essentially at zero distance. The water is hot enough to hurt, at the edge of scalding, so nobody should expect to soak at the source. Owner and access status are both blank, and so is the fee field. The USGS sampled it in February 1983 and found the water close to neutral.

Location

Spring Street is the nearest road, about a fifth of a mile away, which makes this a short walk from town. The elevation is high enough that winters are long. Snowfall averages over seven feet a season. The year's precipitation is moderate. Twin Lakes Cabin, about fourteen miles away, is the only camping that appears.

Hot enough to scald; check before touching. The season given is winter, and with the snow totals here that means planning for cold and possibly closed roads. Access is unrecorded and the spring is close to town, so ask locally before walking in. The temperature and chemistry date to 1983, old enough that conditions could have changed.

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 Jardine Hot Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Jardine Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Jardine Hot 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.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
13 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
95 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 40% 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
18°
Jan
19°
Feb
27°
Mar
33°
Apr
42°
May
52°
Jun
62°
Jul
62°
Aug
52°
Sep
37°
Oct
24°
Nov
15°
Dec
Annual Precip: 20.0 in Annual Snow: 88.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 15°F · Water 140°F · +125° contrast
January Air 18°F · Water 140°F · +122° contrast
February Air 19°F · Water 140°F · +121° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
Today 65° Low 34° Sunny
Spring is +75° warmer
Wednesday 68° Low 36° Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +72° warmer
Thursday 68° Low 37° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 69% precip
Spring is +72° warmer
Friday 62° Low 33° Rain Showers Likely 58% precip
Spring is +78° warmer
Saturday 65° Low 33° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain 16% precip
Spring is +75° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1983-02-07

The water at Jardine Hot Spring is neutral (pH 7.0).

pH 7.0 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 11 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 3 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 230 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 45 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 8 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 40 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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

Nearby Camping
Twin Lakes Cabin (Mt) 14.0 mi away

Overview Twin Lakes Cabin is located in a scenic evergreen forest in the Beaverhead Mountains of western Montana. It was built in the 1920s to provide housing for trail crews, smoke chasers, timber cruisers and grazing inspectors who worked in the area. Guests have access to a number of recreational opportunities, including hiking and mountain biking in the summer and fall, and snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing during the winter. The cabin is accessible by vehicle du...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,480 ft

Jardine Hot Spring sits at 6,480 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 26% 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
140°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 140°F (60°C)
Avg Air Temp 37°F
Above Ambient +103°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Spring Street
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Jardine Hot Spring?
Jardine Hot Spring has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Jardine Hot Spring located?
Jardine Hot Spring is located in Lemhi County, Montana at 6,480 feet elevation, near Salmon. Coordinates: 45.3680°N, 113.4030°W.
How do I get to Jardine Hot Spring?
Jardine Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Spring Street (0.2 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Jardine Hot Spring?
Yes, Twin Lakes Cabin (Mt) is located nearby (14.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Jardine Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.0 (neutral).
Is it safe to soak at Jardine Hot Spring?
With care. At 140°F Jardine Hot Spring is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS