Tadpole Warm Spring
Tadpole Warm Spring surfaces at 68 degrees Fahrenheit practically on the roadway in Bannock County near Chubbuck, sitting just 3.6 meters from the nearest road. The name fits: this modest thermal feature occupies a small footprint in southeastern Idaho's semi-arid sagebrush country.
At 4,465 feet elevation, the spring emerges in a landscape defined by dry conditions. Annual precipitation barely reaches 14 inches, and snowfall averages under 30 inches. The terrain is open rangeland with low sagebrush and grass, offering wide views across the Snake River Plain's eastern margins. The water runs only 19 degrees above ambient air that averages 49 degrees annually. There is no forest canopy or canyon walls here, just high desert under open sky.
Southeastern Idaho's thermal features trace to the passage of the Yellowstone Hotspot, which left behind a trail of heated crust as the North American Plate moved westward over the mantle plume. Tadpole Warm Spring represents the cooler end of this geothermal legacy, where residual crustal heat warms groundwater modestly rather than producing the dramatic temperatures found closer to the hotspot's current position in Yellowstone.
The spring is essentially roadside at 3.6 meters from the road, requiring no approach whatsoever. No developed facilities exist at the site. Mink Creek Group Site Campground lies 25.6 kilometers south of Pocatello along Bannock Highway and accepts reservations. The 68-degree water is tepid rather than hot. The semi-arid climate means access is possible in most seasons, though winter temperatures drop well below the water temperature.
Is Tadpole Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Mink Creek Group Site Campground is located just 12 miles south of Pocatello, Idaho, along the Bannock Highway. The Mink Creek area is a popular area for birding and wildlife viewing, with many miles of multi-use trails waiting to be explored.Recreation The West Fork Mink Creek Trail begins just outside the campground and is popular with hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Additional trails including Corral Creek Trail and Valve House Trail are in the vicinity.Facilities Th...