Idaho | Central Idaho / Ketchum
Warm Springs CreekWarm Springs Lodge to River Run Lodge
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.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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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.
Access map
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.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
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
Plan this paddle
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
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USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Warm Springs Creek near Ketchum, ID. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Short-route forecast
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today’s call.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Warm Springs Creek near Ketchum, ID |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 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.
- Photo contextCentral Idaho watershed context photograph; not the Warm Springs Creek reach
The gallery photo is visual context. It may show another part of the same river or watershed and does not show current conditions at every access point.
- 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
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Quick answers
Warm Springs Creek paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Warm Springs Lodge to River Run Lodge route on the 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 the Warm Springs Lodge to River Run Lodge route on the Warm Springs Creek 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 3.1 river miles on the water.
Is the Warm Springs Lodge to River Run Lodge route on the Warm Springs Creek suitable 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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