Cascade Reservoir Hot Spring
Cascade Reservoir Hot Spring requires a nearly two-mile hike across Bureau of Reclamation land at 4,820 feet elevation in Valley County, making it one of the more remote thermal features near the town of Cascade. The spring's exact temperature is recorded simply as hot, and no detailed water chemistry data is available, adding to its obscure character.
The hike crosses open terrain near Cascade Reservoir, where grassland and scattered timber give way to marshy areas closer to the lakeshore. The reservoir itself stretches wide to the west, backed by forested ridges. At this elevation, winters bring over 11 feet of snow and summers are dry and warm. The spring's outflow feeds into the drainage toward the reservoir, and the surrounding ground is soft and wet. Birdsong and the occasional distant sound of boat motors on the reservoir are the primary soundtrack.
The Bureau of Reclamation manages the land around Cascade Reservoir primarily for water storage and irrigation, with the hot spring an incidental geological feature on federal property. Lake Cascade was created by damming the North Fork Payette River in 1948, and the thermal activity predates the reservoir by millennia, driven by the same deep volcanic heat that powers dozens of springs across Valley County. Public access is open, though the area falls under Reclamation management rules.
The hike to this spring covers nearly two miles each way with no maintained trail, so navigation skills and appropriate footwear are essential. French Creek Campground sits about six miles away on the reservoir shore with reservable sites, boat ramps, and fishing access. Since no temperature or chemistry data is confirmed, test the water carefully before entering. Snow limits access from late fall through spring. The Bureau of Reclamation posts seasonal access notices for the reservoir area.
Is Cascade Reservoir Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Overview French Creek Campground is located next to scenic Lake Cascade in west-central Idaho. It is near the town of Donnelly, at an elevation of 4,850 feet. Boating, fishing, swimming and hiking are popular activities in this scenic region.Recreation Lake Cascade offers excellent opportunities for boating, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing and sailing. Anglers enjoy casting for rainbow trout, coho salmon, smallmouth bass and perch. Many hiking and biking trails are in the area as well.Fac...