Entry No. 53 — the Missoula file — filed under: soak
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
About 65 miles west of Missoula over Lolo Pass, an easy mile-plus trail leads to a cluster of completely undeveloped riverside hot pools. There are no buildings, no fees, and no plumbing: the springs seep out of moss-draped boulders, with some pockets almost too hot to enter and others tempered by the creek running alongside. The Forest Service made it day-use only after years of abuse, so camping at the springs is illegal and the pools close at night (open roughly 6am to 8pm).
The story
Technically, you are crossing state lines—heading roughly 65 miles west out of Missoula, up and over Lolo Pass into Idaho's Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest. Missoulians claim Jerry Johnson Hot Springs as their own anyway. You pull off Highway 12 near mile marker 152, cross the bridge spanning the Lochsa River, and take a gentle mile-plus foot trail alongside Warm Springs Creek. There are no bathhouses, no admissions desks, and no concrete basins here—just scalding mineral water seeping directly out of mossy, granite boulders into undeveloped riverside pools.
Because the site was left totally untamed for decades, it became a victim of its own wildness. After years of midnight party abuse, trash, and safety incidents, the U.S. Forest Service slapped down a strict day-use rule, outlawing overnight camping near the pools and closing access at night (roughly 6:00am to 8:00pm). What is left is a fragile, raw pocket of nature where thermal water hot enough to burn bleeds straight into the freezing alpine creek, leaving you to fine-tune your soak by scooting a few inches closer to—or further from—the icy river current.
What it's like
The walk in is flat and straightforward, threading along the creek through dense timber until the rock ledges open up. Expect a raw, clothing-optional atmosphere where you'll share steam-veiled granite shelves with soaked locals and winter wanderers. There are zero amenities or trash bins along the trail, so pack a reliable dry bag, wear footwear that can handle muddy or icy rock, and carry out every scrap you bring in. Stick strictly to the daytime hours unless you want an awkward encounter with Forest Service rangers.
The move: Pack a swimsuit and a dry-bag picnic, hike the gentle 1+ mile in from the Warm Springs Trailhead, and bounce between the hottest boulder pool and the cooler creek-edge soak for an afternoon.
📍 Before you go Day-use only, 6:00am-8:00pm; no overnight or camping at the springs. Roughly a 1 hr 20 min drive from Missoula via US-12. Undeveloped and clothing-optional in practice; pack out everything. Crosses into Idaho.
- 📍 Lolo Pass corridor / Powell, ID (via US-12)
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: Warm Springs Trailhead, US-12 near mile marker 152, Idaho County, ID
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Quinn's Hot Springs Resort — Contrast Jerry Johnson's primitive, wild boulder pools with Quinn's manicured, resort-style mineral baths along the Clark Fork River.
- Nimrod Warm Springs — Trade the icy Lolo Pass drive into Idaho for a quiet, family-stewarded 70-degree warm spring hidden east of Missoula.
- Smokejumper Visitor Center — Pair your trek through the Clearwater timberlands with a look at the Missoula base where wildland firefighters jump into those exact forests.
Good to know
How far is Jerry Johnson Hot Springs from Missoula and where do I park?
It is roughly a 1-hour and 20-minute drive (65 miles) west from Missoula via US Highway 12 over Lolo Pass. Park at the Warm Springs Trailhead near mile marker 152 in Idaho County.
Are there fees, restrooms, or changing rooms at the pools?
No. The springs are completely undeveloped and free. There are no restrooms, changing stalls, or trash cans, so you must pack out everything you bring in.
Can you camp at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs or soak late at night?
No. The U.S. Forest Service enforces a strict day-use window (roughly 6:00am to 8:00pm). Camping near the hot springs is illegal following closures meant to curb vandalism and safety issues.
Is clothing required at the hot springs?
While swimsuits are common, the pools are clothing-optional in practice, so expect to see nude bathers in the boulder pockets.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · fs.usda.gov · themandagies.com · mtpr.org · alltrails.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-24