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Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is located about 20 miles from the Montana border. (Missoula is just across the Montana border). These hot springs flow out of a mound of minerals of its own making at the fabulous rate of 450 gallons per minute. The 115 degree F water runs into crudely formed boulder tubs, where it mingles with icy waters from Warm Springs Creek. Hence, part of you can be parboiled while the rest is chilled - a stimulating experience. Most seem to choose to soak seated, moving from cooler to warmer mixes, though some like to take an icy plunge for variation. You can camp nearby; evening soaking is popular; year around use.
DIRECTIONS: From Missoula, Montana, take US 12 across the border into Idaho and proceed about 20 miles to mile marker 152, go another half mile or so and look for the Warm Springs Park bridge trailhead. Hike about 1 mile southeast on Forest Service Road 49 to the first set of pools, which will be down an embankment to your right. Shallower pools are located about 100 feet farther up.
SITE REVIEWS:
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000
From: Joyce Carter (jcart@inlandnet.com)
Mooncrow, Just wanted to let ya know that I enjoyed your writings on what appear to be a few great hot springs.
Unfortunately I live know where close to the area you have mentioned . However , I do live near a few great hot springs and since you yourself seem to be interested in warm springs and if your ever in the area drop by Jerry Johnson Hot springs off the 12 going over LoLo pass on the Idaho side (about 20 miles over pass on the right well marked) . If you have not been there before ,there are 4-5 pools varying in size with some being 5-6 ft in circumference. There is always plenty of nudity anytime of day , and I can honestly say that My wife and I have seen some of the most beautiful moons ever from these springs with plenty of mountainous surroundings. Anyway just thought you might be interested. There are a few more springs close bye but a little harder to locate.
Cool web Page, Bryan C.
Subject: Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
Date: Fri, 04 Jun 1999
From: Basil Tomorrow (drtomorrow@hotmail.com)
Just read you page on JJ Hot Spring. We were there on 05/23/99 and enjoyed it greatly. The upper spring is larger but not as hot as the pools near the river. After driving across all of N. Dak and E. Montana the spring was a welcome destination. The river was very high and fast and the two cliff face spouts before the pools were shooting directly out into it. I managed to get to one of them. I hope that people tke care of this spot and keep it clean and maintained.
C. Bacigalupo
Duluth, MN.
Date: Wed, 12 May 1999
From: Martin Taylor (mtaylor@SOLAR.RTD.UTK.EDU)
Carl,
I just had to add my comments to those about Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. I visited there a couple of weekends ago for the first time. Since I just moved to the Spokane area, I felt I had to check out what were supposed to be great springs.
I have to agree that Jerry Johnson is an absolutely fantastic place. The people there are friendly, the view spectacular, and the soak was heavenly. Unfortunately, there is no place nearby that a person in a wheelchair can get to to camp. I really am not looking forward to that this summer when all the tourist start coming up. It will be even worse since the bridge to Stanley washed out this winter. Any suggestions on less crowded places that you can get to in a wheelchair for overnight stays that are not more than a few hours drive?
Martin Taylor
mtaylor@solar.cini.utk.edu
Subject: Jerry Johnson and other hot springs of the North West
Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999
From: Alan Rainey (nwcrafts@in-tch.com)
My name is Alan Rainey, My wife Joyce and I have been going to Jerry (JJ) hot springs for over 28 years. I just finished reading the comments made by others and would like to comment too. There is no other place like JJ in the whole northwest. Although there are a few people that have no respect for the area and leave trash the majority of the people that use the springs take good care of the area and clean up after the few bad ones. The assistant ranger in the district has been trying to close it to the public for several years and each person that leaves trash gives him more ammunition for doing so.
If you are traveling through Montana or northern Idaho on I90 it is well worth the extra miles to visit this lovely area. Here are the directions to find JJ. Exit I90 at Reserve Street interchange (Mile Post 101) in Missoula Montana, Go south approx. 12 miles to the intersection of US 93 with US route 12 at Lolo Mt. turn West on Route 12 (This is the road to Lewiston Idaho.) Drive West on Route 12 54 miles (32 miles in Montana and 22 in Idaho) The JJ Parking area is at the first suspension (pack) bridge on the left inside Idaho.
Beware the speed limit is 50 miles per hour on route 12 in Idaho and they do inforce it.
The things the people are saying about JJ are not exagerations, Wild game can be seen along the trail and at the springs, We often see Deer, Bear, Elk and Moose, Don't worry the bears havn't attacted anybody yet. Nudity is common on the trail and at the springs so if you are offended by it don't go there.
But above all if you carry it in carry it back out and if you find garbage please help save the area and pack it out too. Do not drink the river water as it can make you quite ill but the hot water is not polluted and when cooled is very tasty.
If anybody would like to learn about several other hot springs in that area (Gold Bug, Panther Creek, Stanley, Weir Creek or Horse Creek Hot Springs) call our e-mail at - nwcrafts@in-tch.com
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999
From: Author's Name Withheld by Request
Carl,
I want to comment briefly on Jerry Johnson...Some of the pessimistic comments aside, Jerry Johnson is one of the more beautiful springs in the Northwest. While there may have been trash and unpleasant experiences in the past, it is now a beautiful, clean and safe area for nudists and textiles alike.
I visited this past September. There were people there from Montana, Idaho, and Washington, all enjoying the springs in their own way. Jerry Johnson seems to be working fine as a day use area - you can always go to Weir Creek at night and camp in the Weir Creek campgrounds.
People - don't be so pessimistic! Hotspringing in the buff is wonderful! Enjoy it!
Please withold my name.
Date: Sat, 20 Feb 1999
From: Meispeace@aol.com
The first time I went there, I was astonished to see people nude. It was 1976,and I had hitch-hiked from Missoula, Mt.,originally planning to go to a party in Lewiston. I heard about it over the C.B. radio of the truckdriver who picked me up. It was the bikecentennial,and there were quite a few people there, but everybody was unaffected by the lack of clothes and I felt perfectly at home to shed mine. No hang-ups, no sexual innuendoes or connotations. We all walked the trail nude, and there was a comfortable feeling of communality shared by all. It was great, and a point in my life I wished to last forever. The last time I was there-about `85, there was garbage tucked under logs, as well as feces out in the open. People had stripped every available bit of firewood (even the branches on the trees). I heard stories of sexual misconduct-even rape and assault. I fell asleep in a pool at the top `plain`, and woke up to a fully clothed family taking pictures of bathers like we were some kind of sideshow. It really sucks how people ruin things for everyone else. It reminds me of the underwater cave we used to go in at Nimrod (Mt.) and how the county outlawed partygoers there because of ammonia poisoning in the cave-which used to be such a neat place to go. I feel such a sad loss for these places. I cannot imagine Johnson`s as a day only area, because I remember many nights there and the peace of the place we used to love so much.
meispeace@aol.com
Date: Mon, 22 Dec 97
From: "Ted " (fischbacher@classic.msn.com)
Here's a couple of updates about Jerry Johnson Hot Springs.
The first time I visited J.J. was June 19, 1997. After driving 3 hours from Moscow, ID, I finally happened upon Weir Creek (see Weir Creek review) and Jerry Johnson. The parking area directly across the street (be careful of speeding logging trucks) had about 10 cars in it, with a Forest Service info sign, trail markers, and garbage cans (please use them!) located on the west end. In June this area is pretty warm, so make sure that you bring water with you before you try to hike up to the springs.
After crossing the road and walking accross the hanging bridge, take a right and start hiking. (NOTE: Don't strip down and attempt to walk nude from the parking lot, as their are often river rafting groups with children in the area and they might not appreciate it). Once you clear the bridge, it is safe to hike nude the rest of the way. I found this out when I encountered 2 older women at the trail head getting dressed. After talking with them for a minute, I decided to strip and hike the rest of the way.
The hike was beautiful, with tall trees and ferns surrounding the path, and the sounds of the stream gently filling the air. The hike took me 15-20 minutes and along the way I met a young couple and two young men (all were clothed).
Finally, I arrived at the springs. Unfortunately, Warm Creek was running high and the lower two springs were covered. However, at the third spring I happened upon two older men relaxing in the nude. I greeted them and decided to move on to the last spring, which is a bit farther and located behind some trees. There I was me by a young couple, also nude, who were very friendly. After sitting for an hour with them, I decided to hike back down to the lower (and hotter) pools. As I arrived, a family group appeared on the trail head. I slipped into the spring with the older men, and we chatted about the Mariners for a while.
The family group consisted of an older woman, two younger women, a younger man, and a child. As they came closer, I think they realized that the springs were clothing optional (as their giggling increased). However, remaining in their bathing suits, they too joined us in the larger pool. I think that the older woman was the only one apprehensible to our nudity, and I think the rest of the group would have joined us in the nude if she wasn't with them.
Later, I decided to go back up to the upper pool. After an hour or so, a group of three younger people arrived (1 male, 2 female). The male stripped and slid in, while the girls wore bathing suits. They told us they were from the U. of Montana and this was their first time here. It was obvious the young women were curious about the rest of us being nude, and after a little while, they too took off their bathing suits. We spent the next couple of hours having great conversations about everything. When I decided to leave (about 3 PM), the young people also decided to hike out with me. We bid farewell to the couple that was there, and the four of us hiked all the way to the trail head in the nude.
It was a great experience and I hope to return to such a beautiful place in the near future. Try to visit it if you can!
Fisch
Date: Wed, 21 May 1997
From: "David A. Steiner" (dsteiner@lewiston.com)
Just a quick update on Jerry Johnson. Made my second trip in for 97. First was in early April, walked in on couple feet of snow. The springs were nice however, Warm Creek was low and smallpools at second sspring area were available. After diverting cold water, large pool warmed to about 104.
Second trip was 20 May 97. Snow is mostly gone but warm Creek is running high, as is the Lochsa. The first spring at bluf is under water, as are the smaller pools at second pool area. There was a deer in grass below third pool area and on hill above second pool area.
After diverting cold water at second pool, temp was a nice 104 and for the first time I saw 110 degrees at inlet surfasce water. This was only about 105 all of last year visits. Will continue to check it this year, figure it is due to high water.
Feel free to edit if you post this, will keep you posted as the year progresses.
.....David
Date: Fri, 16 May 1997
From: "C. David Sexton" (dave@uidaho.edu)
The last time I was visiting JJ hot springs (about 10 years ago), I was dissappointed by the amount of litter and broken glass in and around the springs. We were winter camping in the woods (needed snow shoes off the beaten trail). Around midnight ten to twelve kids arrived and threw a party. The next morning I discovered these locals were the source of the litter.
I've never been able to reconcile why they would ruin their most excellent resource! I imagine that is the reason for the night closures.
dave sexton
Date: Mon, 03 Jun 96
From: Kristen Brown (brownie@selway.umt.edu)
A few hours ago, my wife and I returned home to Missoula, MT from our first visit to a natural hot springs (it was also our first nude outing!).
We went to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs in Idaho and soaked with a very well read man from Pullman, WA by the name of David (I didn't catch the surname) who happened to be quite a hot springs enthusiast. He taught us a lot about hot springs and helped spark quite an interest in the subject. Upon returning, I found your hot springs review site and found that the Jerry Johnson review was written by a man named David Hampson. He wrote about having a deer drink from the pool while he soaked. We heard a similar story just hours ago! This seemed to be too much of a coincidence so I thought I would write to see if you knew his e-mail address. I would like to thank him again for sharing his wisdom with us.
Regards,
Kris Brown
P.S.
Now my wife and I are hooked on natural hot springs, and we're making plans to visit most
of the WA and ID sites you have listed. Thanks for a terrific resource.
Review written by: David Hampson (11/11/95)
Very beautiful and serine. Several pools located at the end of an easy one mile hike. Start from mile marker 151 on Highway 12. The number of pools available depends on the level of warm springs creek. By July, all of the pools are uncovered, and must be rebuilt by volunteers. This is a very popular area, so it does not take long before this happens.
The forest service made this a "day use only" area a few years ago, but I still have memories of watching the Northern lights, or having a deer drink out of a pool I was sitting in. The forest service makes random spot checks during the summer, so I don't advise overnight camping here. There are good camping locations down river at _Weir_Creek_Hot_Springs_, and _Stanley_Hot_Springs_. The Lochsa Lodge, eleven miles upriver, is a rather quaint place to stay, and fairly inexpensive as well.
Nudity is permitted at the springs, but people will complain if you flaunt it. Some people are actually OFFENDED by nudity. Just be polite, there are several pools in the area, and you can always find one with other nude people.
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