Nimrod Springs

Also known as: Nimrod Warm Springs
Missoula County, Montana · Near Clinton
46.7040°N, 113.4520°W · 3,920 ft
70°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 3,920 ft Roadside Camping nearby (21.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Nimrod Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Nimrod Springs, labeled Nimrod Warm Springs on OpenStreetMap, is a tepid roadside spring in Missoula County, Montana, about thirteen miles from Clinton. The water is on the low edge of warm, the kind you notice with your hand and would not sit in. The USGS has a numbered site on it, sampled in 1987. Ownership and access are not recorded.

Location

About three hundred feet from the road. The spring lies low. Winters bring close to six feet of snow and the non-winter months are reasonably wet. Douglas Creek Cabin is the only camping in the record, twenty-one miles away, which is far enough that it barely counts. No land unit or trail is named.

The season on file is winter. Soaking is off the table at this temperature. Camping is distant, so this is a stop on the way somewhere, if it is anything. Access is not on record and neither is an owner, so ask before leaving the road. The 1987 chemistry was mildly alkaline.

History of Nimrod Springs

OpenStreetMap carries the name Nimrod Warm Springs, which matches the water better than the plain Nimrod Springs in the main record. The USGS maintains a numbered site here; the chemistry dates to September 1987.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

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

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
102 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 50% 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
25°
Jan
25°
Feb
34°
Mar
41°
Apr
52°
May
61°
Jun
71°
Jul
70°
Aug
60°
Sep
45°
Oct
32°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 21.5 in Annual Snow: 69.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 23°F · Water 70°F · +47° contrast
January Air 25°F · Water 70°F · +45° contrast
February Air 25°F · Water 70°F · +45° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
34°F
ENE 0.0 mph 99% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 65° Low 36° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +5° warmer
Wednesday 67° Low 41° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 41° Mostly Sunny then Chance Light Rain 35% precip
Friday 67° Low 46° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 55% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 43° Sunny 8% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1987-09-14

The water at Nimrod Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 7.8 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 137 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 35 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 12 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 323 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 3 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Douglas Creek Cabin 21.0 mi away

Overview Douglas Creek Cabin offers a great way to access the various seasonal activities available in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in western Montana. While hunting enthusiasts enjoy the cabin during bow and rifle seasons, it is popular for snowmobiling or cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. The cabin is in a very remote location, giving anyone an outdoor recreational experience they will never forget.Access to the cabin is limited by weather conditions....

Fee Rental fee is currently $45 per night.
Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
70°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 70°F (21°C)
Avg Air Temp 45°F
Above Ambient +25°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 298 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Nimrod Springs?
Nimrod Springs has a water temperature of 70°F (21°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Nimrod Springs located?
Nimrod Springs is located in Missoula County, Montana at 3,920 feet elevation, near Clinton. Coordinates: 46.7040°N, 113.4520°W.
How do I get to Nimrod Springs?
Nimrod Springs has Roadside road access (298 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Nimrod Springs?
Yes, Douglas Creek Cabin is located nearby (21.0 miles away). Rental fee is currently $45 per night..
What minerals are in the water at Nimrod Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.8 (slightly alkaline).