Idaho | Central Idaho / Ketchum
Warm Springs Creek
Warm Springs Lodge to River Run Lodge
Check current paddling conditions for this Warm Springs Creek route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short 3.1-mile spring Class II-III creek run from the Warm Springs Lodge area to the River Run Lodge area on the Big Wood River.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Warm Springs Lodge put-in areaUse only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
Take-out
River Run Lodge take-out on Big Wood RiverConfirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
Plan this segment
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Use only the named public launch or landing; a nearby bank, bridge shoulder, fishing easement, or private campground is not substitute access.
- Confirm current closures, fire restrictions, seasonal gates, parking capacity, fees, launch condition, and Idaho invasive-species requirements before travel.
- Private banks are common. Do not land, scout, portage, or camp outside a signed public site or manager-designated corridor.
Watch for
- bridge clearance above 400 cfs
- wood and swift spring water
- private resort/subdivision frontage
- unconfirmed lodge-area access
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Warm Springs Creek near Ketchum, ID |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Target band | 300 cfs to 400 cfs |
| Low threshold | 300 cfs |
| High threshold | 600 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official and local sources |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | American Whitewater direct-gauge correlation: 300-600 cfs runnable; bridge-clearance warning above 400 cfs |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route corridorWarm Springs Lodge to River Run Lodge; About 3.1 river miles
American Whitewater Warm Springs Creek reach record identifies the endpoint chain, river miles, or managed float corridor.
- Public access controlWarm Springs Lodge put-in area to River Run Lodge take-out on Big Wood River
Coordinates represent named public ramps, bank launches, park landings, or an explicitly described staging point.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 13137000 - Warm Springs Creek near Ketchum, ID
Gauge is on the named waterbody and supplies context only.
- Threshold postureGauge-linked range used for live scoring
The cited route guidance is tied to this gauge and reach; hazards, closures, weather, and local inspection still override the score.
- Safety and land managementCurrent manager notices override this record
American Whitewater describes swift spring water and fun drops, with bridge-clearance concerns above 400 cfs. Wear a PFD and helmet, scout all bridges, and do not commit when debris or standing water blocks the channel. The route is short but urban/resort-adjacent. Ketchum's current public-river-access map documents public easements and access points along Warm Springs Creek and the Big Wood; private resort, subdivision, parking, and day-use restrictions still control the actual launch and take-out. Treat 300-600 cfs as a broad runnable shoulder rather than a guarantee. Cold water, fast spring rise, wood, bridge piers, and changing resort operations override the gauge score.
- Camping classificationnearby_basecamp
No on-route camping is appropriate on this short resort-adjacent creek run. Use lawful Ketchum lodging or a nearby developed campground; do not camp on resort, subdivision, or easement property.
- Image decisionCentral Idaho watershed context photograph; not the Warm Springs Creek reach
Approved route-area or same-river context; it does not depict every endpoint or current conditions.
- Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access itinerary
Adjacent cards use different public endpoints and provide a different trip length, hazard set, skill tier, or operating boundary.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
- American Whitewater Warm Springs Creek reach record
- Official access/map control
- USGS 13137000 monitoring location
- USGS 13137000 current conditions
- Additional threshold support
- USGS Warm Springs Creek direct gauge
- American Whitewater Warm Springs Lodge put-in record
- American Whitewater River Run Lodge take-out record
- City of Ketchum / Blaine County river access map
- Ketchum comprehensive-plan public-water access policy
- Ketchum Warm Springs Lodge business listing
- Central Idaho watershed context photograph; not the Warm Springs Creek reach
- Idaho boating and invasive-species requirements
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Warm Springs Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Warm Springs Creek?
Paddle Today watches Warm Springs Creek near Ketchum, ID and treats 300 cfs to 400 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Warm Springs Creek route start and end?
This route starts at Warm Springs Lodge put-in area and ends at River Run Lodge take-out on Big Wood River, about About 3.1 river miles on the water.
Is this Warm Springs Creek route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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See something outdated?
Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.