Natural hot spring · Idaho
Kirkham Hot Springs
Boise County, Idaho · 43 miles northeast of Hidden Spring, ID
Also searched as:Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho Directions · Kirkham Hot Springs Directions
Last updated
- Type
- Natural Natural hot spring
- Water temperature
- 149°F (65°C) at the source
- Cost
- Not recorded
- Hours or season
- Not recorded
- Clothing
- Not recorded
- Nearest town
- Hidden Spring, ID (43 mi / 69 km)
- Coordinates
- Pools or sources
- 1
- Scalding: recorded at 50°C or above. Water at this temperature causes burns in seconds.
About Kirkham Hot Springs
Editor's note. Kirkham Hot Springs is beside Highway 21 near Lowman, where hot water pours off the rocks into pools along the South Fork Payette River. There is a Forest Service day-use fee and a campground next door. It gets very busy on summer weekends.
Kirkham Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in Boise County, Idaho, about 43 miles northeast of Hidden Spring, ID. The nearest large city is Boise, ID, roughly 46 miles away as the crow flies.
The recorded temperature has been recorded at 149°F (65°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 Kirkham Hot Springs. Other colored dots are nearby springs in this directory. Coordinates: 44.07279, -115.54480.
Getting there
- Nearest town: Hidden Spring, ID. The spring is about 43 miles (69 km) northeast of town in a straight line.
- Nearest large city: Boise, ID, about 46 miles (74 km) in a straight line.
- Planning from a city? See hot springs near Boise, ID.
- 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 Kirkham Hot Springs
- Haven Lodge Hot Spring 147°F
- Pine Flat Hot Springs 138°F
- Bonneville Hot Springs 185°F
- Dan Hodges Hot Spring 140°F
- Corder Hot Spring 131°F
- Donlay Ranch Hot Spring 131°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 Kirkham Hot Springs?
The recorded temperature has been recorded at 149°F (65°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 Kirkham Hot Springs?
Kirkham Hot Springs is in Boise County, Idaho, about 43 miles northeast of Hidden Spring, ID. The GPS coordinates are 44.0728, -115.5448.
How do I get to Kirkham Hot Springs?
Head for Hidden Spring, ID; the spring is about 43 miles northeast of town. Enter the GPS coordinates 44.0728, -115.5448 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.
Can you soak at Kirkham 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 Kirkham Hot Springs?
The closest listed spring is Haven Lodge Hot Spring, about under 1 mile northwest. Pine Flat Hot Springs is about 7 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
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.