State guides
Idaho Hot Springs: Road Trips, Scenic Byways and Soaks
Last updated October 10, 2026 · 2 min read
Idaho is the state many soakers dream about. Its mountains are threaded with rivers, and along many of them hot water seeps from the banks into rock pools. The state tourism office and most guidebooks describe Idaho as having more soakable hot springs than anywhere else in the US. This directory lists more than 140 Idaho springs, more than any other state.
Highway 21: Boise to Stanley
The Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway climbs from Boise through Idaho City and Lowman to Stanley, passing some of the state’s most popular springs.
- Kirkham Hot Springs near Lowman has hot waterfalls pouring into pools beside the South Fork Payette River. There is a day-use fee and a campground. It gets very busy in summer.
- Bonneville Hot Springs has a campground and a short walk to pools and an old bathhouse site.
- Pine Flat Hot Springs is a set of cliffside pools above the South Fork Payette, reached by a short scramble.
Highway 75: Stanley and the Salmon River
The Salmon River Scenic Byway runs through the Sawtooth country. Sunbeam Hot Springs sits beside the highway east of Stanley, where hot water mixes with the Salmon River in rock pools. River level makes or breaks it: high spring runoff floods the pools, while late summer and fall are best.
Salmon and the Lemhi Valley
Goldbug Hot Springs south of Salmon is a series of pools beside waterfalls in a narrow canyon, about 2 miles from the trailhead with steady climbing. It is one of Idaho’s most photographed springs.
Highway 12: the Lochsa River
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is reached by a flat trail of about a mile from US 12, crossing the Lochsa River on a footbridge. It is day use only, and the Forest Service bans camping and alcohol at the springs.
McCall and the Payette National Forest
Burgdorf Hot Springs is a historic pool with rustic cabins north of McCall. In winter the road closes to cars, and guests arrive by snowmobile, skis or guided trips.
Developed options
Lava Hot Springs in southeast Idaho is a whole town built around thermal pools, with family-friendly soaking pools and a large swimming complex. Near Boise, Givens Hot Springs has a pool fed by spring water. Boise itself was one of the first US cities to heat buildings with geothermal water.
Seasons and conditions
- Late summer and fall are best for riverside springs, when rivers drop and pools warm up.
- Spring runoff (April to June) floods many riverside pools.
- Winter soaks are spectacular but roads may close, and some springs are only reachable over snow.
- Wildfire season can close roads and trails in late summer.
Respect the springs
Idaho’s free springs survive because visitors pack out trash and respect closures. Several have been closed or restricted because of litter, overnight parties and damage. Read our etiquette guide, and see hot springs near Boise for distances.
Springs in this guide
- Kirkham Hot Springs149°F
- Goldbug Hot Springs113°F
- Jerry Johnson Hot Springs Big Pool118°F
- Burgdorf Hot Springs113°F
- Bonneville Hot Springs185°F
- Pine Flat Hot Springs138°F
- Sunbeam Hot Springs169°F
- Givens Hot Springs117°F
Listed Idaho hot springs
The 25 best-documented of 147 Idaho springs in our directory. See all Idaho hot springs on a map.
| Hot spring | Water temp | Type | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Johnson Hot Springs Big Pool | 118°F | Developed | Hamilton, MT (37 mi) |
| Bonneville Hot Springs | 185°F | Natural | Hidden Spring, ID (55 mi) |
| Pine Flat Hot Springs | 138°F | Natural | Hidden Spring, ID (37 mi) |
| Givens Hot Springs | 117°F | Natural | Marsing, ID (11 mi) |
| Kirkham Hot Springs | 149°F | Natural | Hidden Spring, ID (43 mi) |
| Sharkey Hot Spring | 126°F | Developed | Salmon, ID (18 mi) |
| Atlanta Hot Springs | 140°F | Natural | Ketchum, ID (38 mi) |
| Goldbug Hot Springs | 113°F | Natural | Salmon, ID (19 mi) |
| Horse Creek Hot Springs | 109°F | Developed | Salmon, ID (36 mi) |
| Owl Creek Hot Springs | 122°F | Developed | Salmon, ID (30 mi) |
| Shower Bath Springs | 122°F | Natural | Challis, ID (20 mi) |
| Skinny Dipper's Hot Springs | 178°F | Natural | Emmett, ID (27 mi) |
| Stanley Hot Spring 1981 record | 106°F | Natural | Challis, ID (40 mi) |
| Sunbeam Hot Springs | 169°F | Developed | Challis, ID (30 mi) |
| Barth Hot Springs | 140°F | Natural | Grangeville, ID (59 mi) |
| Bear Valley Hot Spring | 149°F | Natural | Challis, ID (50 mi) |
| Challis Hot Springs | 122°F | Natural | Challis, ID (3 mi) |
| Chattanooga Hot Spring | 127°F | Natural | Ketchum, ID (39 mi) |
| Cox Hot Springs | 131°F | Natural | Challis, ID (36 mi) |
| Hospital Hot Spring | 115°F | Natural | Challis, ID (36 mi) |
| Loftus Hot Spring | 129°F | Natural | Boise, ID (31 mi) |
| Loon Creek Hot Spring | 120°F | Natural | Challis, ID (35 mi) |
| Mile 15 Hot Spring | 117°F | Natural | McCall, ID (20 mi) |
| Ninemeyer Hot Springs | 169°F | Natural | Boise, ID (33 mi) |
| Owen Cabin Hot Spring | 133°F | Natural | Challis, ID (27 mi) |
Frequently asked questions
Does Idaho have the most hot springs in the US?
Idaho is often said to have more soakable hot springs than any other state, around 130 by common counts. Nevada has more thermal springs overall, but many are too hot, too remote or on private land.
What are the best hot springs near Boise?
Kirkham, Bonneville and Pine Flat along the Highway 21 and South Fork Payette corridor are popular day trips, and Givens Hot Springs near Melba has a developed pool. See our near Boise list.
Can you visit Idaho hot springs in winter?
Yes, but plan around road closures. Highway 21 between Lowman and Stanley closes at times for avalanche risk, and some springs like Burgdorf are reached only by snowmobile or skis in winter.