Thomas Flats Warm Spring
Thomas Flats Warm Spring emerges at just 75°F, only 18.5 degrees above the ambient air temperature, making it a warm rather than hot spring. Located on BLM public land in Owyhee County at 2,364 feet elevation, it requires a half-kilometer walk from the nearest road across open desert terrain.
The spring sits in the arid high desert of Owyhee County, one of Idaho's least populated and most remote regions. The landscape is dominated by sagebrush, sparse bunchgrass, and exposed volcanic rock at low elevation. Annual precipitation is just 9.4 inches with only 11 inches of snow, and average temperatures reach 56.5°F — the warmest climate profile among these springs. The Owyhee canyonlands stretch to the south and west, carved by seasonal drainages through basalt and rhyolite formations.
Historical documentation for Thomas Flats Warm Spring is minimal. The name suggests association with a local landowner or geographic feature. The spring lies within the BLM Four Rivers Field Office jurisdiction, part of Owyhee County's vast public land holdings. Nearby Silver City, a partially restored 19th-century mining town about 36 km away, provides context for the area's mining-era settlement patterns.
The warm temperature (75°F) makes this spring unsuitable for traditional hot-spring soaking. Visit in spring or fall to avoid summer heat, which can be intense in Owyhee County's desert. Bring all water and supplies — there are no services or facilities in this remote area. Silver City Campground, 36 km away, offers primitive first-come sites with a 14-day stay limit. Roads may be rough dirt; high-clearance vehicles are recommended.
Is Thomas Flats Warm Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
This small campground is located in a partially restored 19th-century mining town. Please plan to bring your own water. Don't use the water running through the campground from Jordan Creek because it may contain mercury from prior mining activity in the area.