Natural hot spring · Idaho
Goldbug Hot Springs
Lemhi County, Idaho · 19 miles south of Salmon, ID
Also searched as:Goldbug Hot Springs Idaho Directions · Goldbug Hot Springs Directions
Last updated
- Type
- Natural Natural hot spring
- Water temperature
- 113°F (45°C) at the source
- Cost
- Not recorded
- Hours or season
- Not recorded
- Clothing
- Clothing optional
- Nearest town
- Salmon, ID (19 mi / 30 km)
- Coordinates
- Pools or sources
- 1
- Very hot: above comfortable soaking temperature for most people. Enter slowly.
About Goldbug Hot Springs
Editor's note. Goldbug Hot Springs is a series of pools beside small waterfalls in a canyon south of Salmon. The trail is about 2 miles each way with steady climbing. It is a day-use site on public land, so pack out everything you bring.
Goldbug Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in Lemhi County, Idaho, about 19 miles south of Salmon, ID. The nearest large city is Butte, MT, roughly 102 miles away as the crow flies.
The recorded temperature has been recorded at 113°F (45°C). That puts it in the "too hot to enter at the source" range. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
It is a natural spring with little or no development. Some natural springs have rock pools you can sit in, while others are too hot, too shallow or on land where soaking is not allowed.
Water temperature
Too hot to enter at the source. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
Readings come from the NOAA thermal springs list, OpenStreetMap mappers, and other public sources. Temperatures change with season, flow and pool design. See our soak temperature guide for safe soaking times.
Map and directions
Red marks Goldbug Hot Springs. Other colored dots are nearby springs in this directory. Coordinates: 44.90529, -113.92931.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Salmon, ID. The spring is about 19 miles (30 km) south of town in a straight line.
- Nearest large city: Butte, MT, about 102 miles (164 km) in a straight line.
- Planning from a city? See hot springs near Missoula, MT.
- Use the directions buttons above for a driving route. Final roads to many springs are unpaved, seasonal or closed in winter, so check road conditions before you go.
Weather forecast
Live forecast for this exact spot from the US National Weather Service.
Hot springs near Goldbug Hot Springs
- Salmon Hot Spring 113°F
- Sharkey Hot Spring 126°F
- Challis Hot Springs 122°F
- Big Creek Hot Springs 199°F
- Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring 108°F
- Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring 93°F
Before you go
- Check the operator, land manager or park website for current hours, fees and closures. Details in any directory can go out of date.
- Pack out everything you bring, including food scraps. Do not use soap in natural pools.
- Keep your head above water. Warm fresh water can carry Naegleria fowleri, a rare but deadly amoeba that enters through the nose.
- Drink water, limit soaks to 10 to 20 minutes at a time in very hot water, and skip alcohol.
- Read our hot spring etiquette guide and safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
How hot is Goldbug Hot Springs?
The recorded temperature has been recorded at 113°F (45°C), which is too hot to enter at the source. Water this hot can burn skin quickly. Soaking pools are usually cooled by mixing with creek or tap water. Never enter the source itself.
Where is Goldbug Hot Springs?
Goldbug Hot Springs is in Lemhi County, Idaho, about 19 miles south of Salmon, ID. The GPS coordinates are 44.9053, -113.9293.
How do I get to Goldbug Hot Springs?
Head for Salmon, ID; the spring is about 19 miles south of town. Enter the GPS coordinates 44.9053, -113.9293 into Google Maps or Apple Maps, or use the directions buttons at the top of this page. Mountain and forest roads can close in winter or after storms, so check with the land manager before you go.
Is Goldbug Hot Springs clothing optional?
It is recorded as clothing optional. Rules can change, so follow any posted signs.
Can you soak at Goldbug Hot Springs?
The source is too hot to enter safely. Natural springs vary. Some have pools built by visitors, others are too hot or shallow, and some are on private land or in areas where bathing is banned. Check local rules and test the water before you get in.
What hot springs are near Goldbug Hot Springs?
The closest listed spring is Salmon Hot Spring, about 14 miles north. Sharkey Hot Spring is about 17 miles away.
What should I bring to a hot spring?
Water to drink, a towel, sandals with grip, a bag to pack out trash, and warm layers for after your soak. At primitive springs bring a headlamp and tell someone where you are going.
Sources and corrections
This listing combines OpenStreetMap, the NOAA NCEI Thermal Springs List. Data last refreshed August 2026. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3 Source 4
Visited recently? Send a correction, such as a temperature reading, fee, closure or photo. If you look after this spring and want it removed, see removal requests.