Warm Springs Trail

The Warm Springs Trail is one of the premier trails on the Lowman Ranger District.

The trail is noteworthy as part of the larger loop opportunity for motorcyclists and a one-way trail from Bull Trout to Bonneville for mountain bikers.

From the trailhead near Bull Trout Lake Campground, the trail follows undulating terrain through lodgepole pine forests for over 2 miles.

It then descends steeply into Deadman Canyon and crosses Deadman Creek multiple times in the next several miles; this section of the trail is the most difficult to negotiate.

At the bottom of Deadman Canyon, the trail follows Warm Springs Creek through a fairly wide drainage and crosses the creek on a large bridge about halfway down the canyon. This section of trail has both short climbs and descents.

There is a significant climb of just over 2 miles as you leave the canyon bottom which turns into a narrow rocky gorge.

As the trail climbs, it provides nice views of the creek in the gorge below. The trail then intersects with the Link Trail.

Turn left for the final downhill stretch to the trailhead at the Warm Spring Airstrip.

A popular motorcycle loop combines this trail with the Kirkham Ridge and Link Trails. All trails in this loop require advanced motorcycle riding skills.

The preferred mountain bike route is from the northern trailhead to the southern trailhead. Mountain bikers should be prepared for a strenuous ride when attempting this trail.

Although it appears to be mostly downhill, there are plenty of uphill sections that require significant effort.

Additionally, most of the riding is on single track which requires advance bike handling skills. Hikers will find that the first few miles of trail from either trailhead provide nice out and back hiking opportunities.

A 2+ mile hike from the south trailhead provides spectacular views of a narrow gorge at the end of Warm Springs Creek.

General Information

ACCESS #1 - From Boise, Idaho, travel north along State Highway 55 to Banks, Idaho (approximately 38 miles).  At Banks, turn right (east) onto State Highway 17 (Banks-Lowman Road) and travel 31 miles to Lowman, Idaho.  From Lowman, travel northeast for about 19 miles to a trail sign on the northwest side of the road.  Turn southwest at the trail sign and go about two miles passing Warm Springs Guard Station and a landing field. 

The unsigned trail begins at the northeast edge of the landing field near a registration box and stock- loading ramp.  The road leading to the Guard Station and landing field is  normally open only to non-motorized traffic from December 15 to April 15, unless there is a closure in the area. 

ACCESS #2- From Boise, Idaho, travel north along State Highway 55 to Banks, Idaho (approximately 38 miles).  At Banks, turn right (east) onto State Highway 17 (Banks-Lowman Road) and travel 31 miles to Lowman, Idaho. 

From Lowman, travel along State Highway 21 about 34 miles to the intersection of Forest Service (FS) Road 520 (Bull Trout Lake Road).  Continue southeast on FS Road 520 about a mile following the signs to Bull Trout Lake Campground.  A registration box and the signed trailhead are on the west side of FS Road 520 about a quarter mile north of the campground.

The Warm Springs Trailhead (Airport) is a signed site which includes an information kiosk, loading/unloading ramps for ATVs, hitching rack and registration box. Warm Springs (#147) and Link (#148) trails are served by this trailhead. Located west of Bonneville Campground and next to Warm Springs airstrip. 

The Kirkham Ridge Trailhead (State Highway 21) is a signed site with information kiosk.  It serves Kirkham Ridge (#144) and Warm Springs (#147) trails. Located near Kirkham Campground.

The Kirkham Ridge Trailhead (Bull Trout) includes a registration box and loading/unloading ramp for animals.  It serves Kirkham Ridge (#144), Warm Springs (#147) and Gates Creek (#016) trails.It is located near Warm Springs (Bull Trout) trailhead and Bull Trout Lake Campground.

All trailheads have space for parking.