Mound Valley Warm Spring
Mound Valley Warm Spring rises at 4,991 feet near Soda Springs, Idaho, a town famous for its concentration of naturally carbonated and geothermal features. Caribou County holds one of the densest clusters of mineral springs in the American West, and this spring sits within easy walking distance of the road at just 240 meters out.
The spring emerges in a high valley where the Bear River Range frames the eastern horizon. Soda Springs country is rolling and green compared to the sagebrush deserts farther west, receiving nearly 22 inches of precipitation and almost seven feet of snow annually. The terrain around the spring is open meadow transitioning to mixed conifer stands at higher elevations. Temperatures average about 46°F year-round, meaning frost is possible even in summer at this elevation.
Soda Springs occupies a geologically active zone where the Yellowstone hotspot's ancient track intersects the Overthrust Belt's deep faults. This combination creates pathways for mineralized water to reach the surface from considerable depth. The town's famous captive geyser, drilled accidentally in 1937, erupts on a timer from a capped well. The region's springs deposit travertine and carry dissolved carbonates that distinguish them from Idaho's batholith-sourced thermal waters to the north.
The spring is a short 800-foot walk from the road, manageable for most visitors. Maple Grove Campground sits about six miles away with 12 first-come-first-served sites at $5 per night, vault toilets, and a boat ramp. There is a 14-day stay limit. Pack out all trash as no dumpsters are on site. The area is typically accessible from late spring through fall.
Is Mound Valley Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Campground rules and regulations are posted at the site. There are no dumpsters on site, visitors must pack in and out their trash. Campsites: 12 developed sites--- At this time, there is not a reservation system in place for the campsites. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. Overnight Camping Fees: $5.00 per vehicle/ per night This site is equipped picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, horseshoe pits, and boat ramp with a dock. There is no Day-use allowed and facilities a...