Yandell Springs
Yandell Springs emerges at 90°F on the Fort Hall Reservation in Bingham County, Idaho, producing a modest 0.33 cubic feet per second of near-neutral (pH 7.1) thermal water at 4,900 feet elevation. The spring sits just 81 feet from the nearest road, but public access status is unknown because it lies on tribal land.
The spring surfaces in the Snake River Plain near Blackfoot, where flat to gently rolling sagebrush terrain stretches across a semi-arid landscape receiving only 17.5 inches of precipitation annually. Elevation is moderate at 4,900 feet, and the surrounding area is primarily agricultural and rangeland. About 48 inches of snow falls each winter. The Blackfoot River corridor lies nearby, providing the principal drainage for the region.
Yandell Springs sits within the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes' Fort Hall Reservation, established by the 1868 Fort Bridger Treaty. Documentation of the spring's historical use is limited in publicly available records. The name likely references an early Euro-American settler or surveyor. No commercial development has been recorded at the site.
Visitors must contact the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes before attempting to visit, as the spring is on tribal land and access permissions are not publicly documented. Morgans Bridge Campground on the Blackfoot River, managed by the BLM, lies about 20 km away with 12 first-come, first-served sites. Summers are warm and dry; winters bring sub-freezing temperatures.
Is Yandell Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Yandell Springs is neutral (pH 7.1). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
This BLM managed site located along the Blackfoot River that has opportunities for fishing, camping, and non-motorized boating. 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--- 10 which are accessible by vehicle and 2 which are walk-in only. At this time, there is not a reservation system in place for the campsites. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. This site is e...