Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
Spring
4.5 (149)
Idaho 83539
Hot SpringID
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Plan Jerry Johnson Hot Springs via Warm Springs Trailhead. Check day-use hours, the overnight-camping restriction, water needs and separate campground details.
Water type
Hot Spring
Access
Informal
Fee
No hot-springs fee verified in the retrieved trailhead page. Separate campground page says no fee is currently collected but also lists $14 nightly; confirm rather than relying on either figure.
Best season
Plan within permitted day-use hours after checking current access, rather than assuming winter or spring pools will be usable
Nearby towns
Missoula Mt, Moscow Id
Water body
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs; Approach From The Lochsa River Corridor
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Missoula Mt, Moscow Id
Access location not verified
MOSCOW ID, ID
Approximate location based on the nearest town. Confirm the exact spot and access before you go.
A closer look
Photos of Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . See the rules above and check for current closures.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs: plan a day visit, not a poolside overnight
This is a hot-springs destination reached from the Lochsa River corridor in Idaho, not a developed spa or a recommendation to swim in the river. The useful distinction is between the trailhead, the soaking area and the separate campground.
Use the named trailhead
The Forest Service Warm Springs Trailhead profile identifies access to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs from US Highway 12 near milepost 152. Check current alerts and posted directions. This review does not verify a precise parking entrance, trail distance or pool coordinate; the inherited parking pin is withheld.
Respect the day-use cutoff
The operator restricts the hot-springs area to day use from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and prohibits overnight camping there. Plan the walk back before the cutoff. The profile warns that visitors outside permitted hours may be cited. Its year-round trailhead season is not a guarantee that today's approach or pools are usable.
Bring water and keep facilities separate
The trailhead has no potable water, and its restroom information is unavailable. No poolside services or supervision are established here. Old descriptions of comfortable temperatures, clear water or an easy overnight experience are not current measurements or service confirmations.
Camping has its own checks
The separate campground page lists toilets but no available water. It also combines a note that no fee is currently collected with a $14 nightly fee listing, and gives differing seasonal dates. Confirm the applicable fee, opening dates and availability before planning an overnight stay. Campground access does not authorize camping at the springs.
How to read the gallery
The selected pool, bridge, rocky-waterway and forest-path photographs are historical views from the matched place collection. They do not establish today's temperature, safe depth, bridge condition or snow cover. Exact camera locations were not independently surveyed. Reviewed October 9, 2026.
Getting There
Start with the Forest Service Warm Springs Trailhead profile on US Highway 12 near milepost 152. Use posted signs and current manager guidance. The old parking coordinate is withheld because this review did not survey the parking entrance, bridge or soaking pools.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Hot-springs day use is restricted to 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.; overnight camping there is prohibited. The trailhead's year-round season is not a guarantee of usable roads, trails or pools on a particular day.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check official rules, fees, hours, and closures before visiting. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
What to Bring
Bring sturdy water shoes to protect your feet on rocks and slippery surfaces. A waterproof dry bag keeps your phone, keys, and valuables safe. Pack a quick-dry towel, sun protection, and drinking water - never drink from the natural water source.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Frequently Asked Questions About Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
What are Jerry Johnson Hot Springs' day-use hours?
The Forest Service restricts use to 6 a.m. through 8 p.m. Follow current posted instructions and allow time to leave before the cutoff.
Can I camp beside the hot springs?
No. The operator prohibits overnight camping at the springs. The nearby named campground is a separate destination.
Where does the approach start?
The operator identifies Warm Springs Trailhead on US Highway 12 near milepost 152. Check its profile and posted directions rather than relying on the old directory pin.
Is drinking water available?
The trailhead profile says no potable water. The campground profile also reports no available water. Bring your own supply.
Is Jerry Johnson Campground free?
Its page contains conflicting fee information, including $14 nightly and a no-fee-collected note. Confirm the current charge directly.
Are the pools always comfortably warm?
No current temperature or water-quality assessment is available here. A historical photograph or old temperature range cannot establish present suitability.
Does year-round access guarantee a winter visit?
No. A published season does not confirm the road, trail or pools will be usable on your visit date. Check current conditions first.
Highlights
Named official trailhead distinguished from campground
Day-use cutoff and overnight restriction
Drinking-water planning and historical gallery
Unique Features
Undeveloped hot-springs destination accessed from the Lochsa corridor
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not assume a pool has a comfortable temperature or usable depth
- No current measurement, supervision or water-quality clearance is available here
- Bring drinking water and be prepared to turn back if conditions or restrictions prevent a visit
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
Use the managing forest's information for context; no unsupported historical narrative added.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Reviewed historical pool, bridge, rocky-waterway and snowy-trail views provide collection context, not independently geolocated camera positions or a live conditions report.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Carry out litter and respect posted restrictions. Keep photographs focused on scenery rather than other bathers.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Plan within permitted day-use hours after checking current access, rather than assuming winter or spring pools will be usable.
Difficulty Level
No current trail-condition or accessible-entry assessment verified. Do not treat an old distance estimate as a suitability rating.
Fee
No hot-springs fee verified in the retrieved trailhead page. Separate campground page says no fee is currently collected but also lists $14 nightly; confirm rather than relying on either figure.
Facilities
No verified poolside restrooms, lifeguard coverage, maintained bathing facilities or accessible water entry. Bring drinking water.
Activities
Hiking and conditional hot-spring soaking during permitted day-use hours; not a recommendation to swim in the Lochsa River.
Phone
No site-specific telephone verified in the retrieved recreation profiles; use the Forest Service contact links.
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
Overnight camping at the hot springs is prohibited. Jerry Johnson Campground is a separate destination; confirm its current operating dates, availability and fee directly.
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Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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