Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

Checked October 2026 · Sources

Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is a wild soak in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, Idaho, about 80 minutes' drive from Missoula: 118 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 0.97-mile walk from Warm Springs Trailhead, snow likely October to May.

Wild
Walk 0.97 mi

Directions

Drive timecomputed

about 80 min
66.2 mi from Missoula, no traffic

From your town or ZIP

Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.

The facts

Water: 118 F at the source, not the pool
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry JERRY JOHNSON HOT SPRINGS
Walk: 0.97 miles one way from Warm Springs Trailhead
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 46.47270, -114.88465
Fee: Not posted by the agency
Checked on the source, checked Oct 12, 2026
Permit or reservation: None posted by the agency
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing: Not posted by the agency
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Dogs: Not posted by the agency
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026
Snow: Likely October to May
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Managed by: USDA Forest Service, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest
Closures: Forest Service alerts, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest
Last checked: October 2026

Trail and trailhead

Warm Springs Trailhead

The Forest Service says:

"The campground is located a short distance from the popular Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, where outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a hike in to one of Idaho's incredible natural phenomenons."

Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Distance: 0.97 mile one way
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
Climb: About 150 ft up and 30 ft down, one way
Computed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 27 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
Start: Warm Springs Trailhead
46.47270, -114.88465

Water temperature

118 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.

Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry JERRY JOHNSON HOT SPRINGS

Fees and rules

Do you have to pay to go to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?

Not posted by the agency.

Checked on the source, checked Oct 12, 2026

Do you need a permit or reservation for Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?

None is posted. not posted

Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Clothing and dogs

Clothing

Not posted by the agency.

Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026

Dogs

Not posted by the agency.

Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 11, 2026

Seasons and winter access

Snow likely October to May at the spring.

Snow likelySnow not likely

Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons

Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.

Before you go

No permit or reservation is posted.
Snow likely October to May.
Check Forest Service alerts, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest before you drive.

Getting there

Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).

Missoula, MontanaHot springs near Missoulaabout 80 min66.2 mi

Google Maps Apple Maps

Both open at the start, Warm Springs Trailhead, not at the pool.

Idaho. Tap the map for directions. Outline: US Census, public domain.

Camping near Jerry Johnson Hot Springs

Jerry Johnson Campground

"Located off U.S. Highway 12 across from the Wild and Scenic Lochsa River, Jerry Johnson Campground offers 20 campsites for visitors to enjoy."

Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Nearby hot springs (5)

Weir Creek Hot SpringsNear Missoula · Idahoabout 13 mindrive Lolo Hot SpringsNear Missoula · Montanaabout 39 mindrive Quinns Hot SpringsNear Missoula · Montanaabout 2 h 38 mindrive Boulder Hot SpringsNear Butte · Montanaabout 3 h 37 mindrive Horse Creek Hot SpringsNear Missoula · Idahoabout 3 h 46 mindrive

All 20 hot springs in Idaho Pacific Northwest hot springs (36)

Questions

Is Jerry Johnson Hot Springs free?

Not posted by the agency.

How long is the hike to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?

0.97 miles one way from Warm Springs Trailhead, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route.

Is Jerry Johnson Hot Springs clothing optional?

Not posted by the agency.

Can I bring my dog?

Not posted by the agency.

Can you camp at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs?

"Located off U.S. Highway 12 across from the Wild and Scenic Lochsa River, Jerry Johnson Campground offers 20 campsites for visitors to enjoy."

Quoted from the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026

Sources and last checked

Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).

ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
fs.usda.gov/r01/nezperce-clearwater/recreation/jerry-johnson-campgr...: clothing (not posted), dogs (not posted), trail, campingChecked Oct 11, 2026 and Oct 14, 2026
Walk: 0.97 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 46.47270, -114.88465Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Drive times from Missoula: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
Snow months (Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026
Photo: Los Paseos from Earth, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0Checked by eye Oct 12, 2026

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