Pleasantview Warm Springs
Pleasantview Warm Springs registers just 77 degrees Fahrenheit but carries a mineral punch, with total dissolved solids of 1,390 mg/L and chloride levels reaching 470 mg/L. The spring sits 27 meters from State Highway 38 near Malad City in Oneida County, Idaho, making it one of the most accessible thermal features in the state.
The spring emerges at 4,502 feet in the sagebrush-and-grass country of southern Idaho's Curlew Valley. The landscape is open and dry, averaging just over 18 inches of precipitation annually, with less than four feet of snow. Views stretch across the valley floor to distant mountain ridges. The air smells of sage and dust. Highway traffic provides a low hum of background noise given the roadside proximity. Summers are warm by local standards, with an average annual temperature near 49 degrees Fahrenheit.
The high chloride and sodium content, along with elevated iron at 320 micrograms per liter, suggest this water contacts evaporite deposits at depth. The neutral pH of 7.3 contrasts with Idaho's many alkaline springs and points to a carbonate-hosted aquifer. Oneida County sits in the Basin and Range province where extensional faulting creates pathways for deep groundwater circulation. The modest 28-degree temperature differential above ambient indicates either shallow circulation or significant cold-water mixing near the surface.
This is a geological curiosity rather than a soaking destination. At 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the water feels tepid at best. Roadside access off Highway 38 requires no effort. Third Creek Group Site campground lies about 19 kilometers away near Deep Creek Reservoir and accepts reservations. The high mineral content, especially chloride and iron, can stain clothing and equipment.
Is Pleasantview Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Pleasantview Warm Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3) with 1390 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
Overview Third Creek Group Campground is located just 12 miles northeast of Malad, Idaho, on the Weston Highway near Deep Creek Reservoir. Visitors enjoy exploring the local trail system and fishing at Deep Creek.Recreation Third Creek Trailhead is adjacent to the campground, complete with hitching racks for horses. It accesses the Oxford Peak Trail System and is open to hikers, bikers, motorcyclists and off-road vehicle users as well. Deep Creek Reservoir offers good trout, as well as boati...