5 Must-Visit Natural Hot Springs in Idaho
If you’re planning a trip to visit Idaho, you’ll definitely want to check out a few of the Idaho hot springs on this list! Each of these unique natural hot springs in Idaho are free to visit and offer both relaxation as well as adventure while experiencing some of the greatest natural beauty Idaho has to offer.
*(This post contains affiliate links. This means we may receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. See our full disclosure.)
Idaho Hot Springs: General Tips & Best Practices
Before we get to our recommendations for the best Idaho hot springs, let’s go over some general tips as well as etiquette for visiting the hot springs in Idaho responsibly:
Always Check the Water Temperature Before Getting In
Though most maintain relatively stable temps, any of Idaho’s natural hot springs can have variations in temperature from day-to-day or from one pool to another, so a simple infrared thermometer* is a great tool to carry with you to the hot springs.
Go Early in the Morning
Some of the visitors in the later hours of the day tend to be a little more free-spirited and a little less clothed. So if you’re visiting these secluded Idaho hot springs with children, or are trying to avoid crowds, the best time to go is in the early morning hours.
Leave No Trace
While visiting any of the Idaho hot springs (or any outdoor space in general) always follow the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace. In fact, we recommend taking it one step further and packing out any trash you find to leave it better than you found it! By treating these beautiful natural hot springs in Idaho with care and respect, you’ll help to ensure their access to future generations.
Idaho Natural Hot Spring #1: Weir Creek Hot Springs
Weir Creek Hot Springs is located right off Idaho’s scenic Highway 12. It offers 3 pool choices, and is great for visiting as a family.
The small upper-most pool stays at a consistent depth and offered the most moderate temperature; it was just big enough for our family of 3.
The middle pool of Weir Creek Hot Springs is the largest and most prominent - it was also the hottest of the three pools. This pool does have PVC pipe installed in the man-made retaining wall that allows you to drain & lower the water level, but there is no cold water flowing into the pool to regulate the temperature.
The lower pool is a bit more challenging to access, as it requires a climb down the steep hillside to its location on the far side of the springs along Weir Creek. However it does mix with the cold creek water making it a more mild bath-water type temperature - though it is a bit more “swampy” than the other pools.
How to Get to Weir Creek Hot Springs
Park at the Weir Creek Trailhead immediately off Idaho’s scenic Highway 12 on the north side of the road, then follow the trail approximately ½ mile to the springs. The trail is mild with a small amount of elevation gain, but it does hug a steep hillside and is narrow at points, so make sure to keep little ones close by.
Other Helpful Weir Creek Hot Springs Info:
You’ll pass several primitive campsites along the trail for tent campers and backpackers. Vehicle camping is prohibited at the trailhead, but there is a pit toilet available there
There’s no cell phone service at Weir Creek Hot Springs and it's generally very limited throughout the stretch of scenic Hwy 12 where the hot springs are located.
Idaho Natural Hot Spring #2: Trail Creek Hot Springs
(a.k.a. SAMUEL'S Hot Springs)
Trail Creek Hot Springs is located about 20 miles northeast of Cascade, ID off NF-22/Warm Lake Rd, and offers several nice pools large enough for a group of 6 to 8 people.
One of the nicest features of Trail Creek Hot Springs is that there is a fairly elaborate man-made piping system that allows you to adjust the pool temperatures by regulating the flow of cold creek water into the hot spring pools.
The pools are fairly shaded and secluded from one another. We did battle horseflies while visiting in the summer, so you may consider bringing a flyswatter if you visit during this season.
How to Get to Trail Creek Hot Springs
From Idaho Highway 55 turn east on NF-22/Warm Lake Rd (paved) and follow it approximately 20 miles northeast out of Cascade. The parking area is a large pull-out on the south side of the road.
From the parking area, proceed carefully down one of the available routes leading off the southern edge of the pull off and follow the trail approximately 1/10th of a mile until you arrive at Trail Creek Hot Springs. The trail is steep and consists of loose soil making it difficult to descend, but the climb back out was easier.
Other Helpful Trail Creek Hot Springs Info:
There are no restrooms, cell service, or camping sites available at Trail Creek Hot Springs, but there are several primitive campsites with cell service available just off the highway as you get closer to Cascade heading back west on NF-22/Warm Lake Rd.
Idaho Natural Hot Spring #3: Rocky Canyon Hot Springs
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs is located approximately 12 miles north of Crouch, Idaho off Middle Fork Road along the Middle Fork Payette River.
This unique natural spring is a beautiful cascade of water flowing from the mouth of the hot spring with several pool choices descending along the hillside of Rocky Canyon.
Because the mouth of the hot springs is located up the hillside from the river, there is no piping system to regulate the pools’ temperatures and the lowest pools along the riverside were the most bath-like in temperature.
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs is in full sun, and it’s best to plan your visit for summer or very early fall because of the necessary river crossing.
How to Get to Rocky Canyon Hot Springs
From the town of Crouch, Idaho follow Middle Fork Road (paved) north 12 miles. The road will turn to gravel for the last mile prior to arriving at the small parking area on the west side of the road.
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs will be visible across the river. Follow the trail down and cross the river to get to the cascading rocky canyon hot springs.
Other Helpful Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Info:
There was limited T-mobile/Sprint/US Cellular cell service available (which was improved with our cell booster) and there are several primitive campsites available along Middle Fork Road, as well as pit-toilets available at Hardscrabble Campground one mile south of the springs.
Idaho Natural Hot Spring #4: Sacajawea Hot Springs
Sacajawea Hot Springs is located off Grandjean Road deep in the Sawtooth Wilderness, just outside the “town” of Grandjean, Idaho - which consists primarily of the Sawtooth Lodge and Grandjean Campground.
Sacajawea Hot Springs offers a wide variety of shallow rock-walled pools that crop out along the Payette River, surrounded by beautiful views of the river valley and the Sawtooth mountains that surround it.
Though it was difficult to find a rocked-off pool that offered a comfortable temperature, it was easy enough to move from pool to pool while exploring along the river. And since we were visiting during warm summer months, we ended up playing in the river with our daughter more than in the springs because of the inconsistent temperatures.
How to Get to Sacajawea Hot Springs
Head east on Idaho State Route 21 (paved) from Lowman, Idaho approximately 21 miles, before turning right onto Granjean Road. Proceed toward Granjean for approximately 5.2 miles.
There will be several pull-outs along the road (some more precarious than others) that serve as the parking area and you’ll see Sacajawea Hot Springs from here. There is an easily navigable interconnected series of trails that cut down to the river and along the several pools of the hot springs.
Other Helpful Sacajawea Hot Springs Info:
Primitive camping is readily available nearby, and pit toilets are available at the Grandjean Campground. Though there was no cell service at the hot springs, we did have service at the end of Grandjean road near the turnoff on ID-21.
Idaho Natural Hot Spring #5: Goldbug Hot Springs
In the tradition of saving the best for last, Goldbug Hot Springs is one of the most - if not THE most - beautiful and iconic Idaho natural hot spring. So if your trip only allows enough time for one, make it this one!
Goldbug Hot Springs is nestled high up in the Sawtooth Mountains, and offers a wide variety of pools with various temperatures, hot & cold waterfalls, and spectacular views. And despite the somewhat strenuous 4 mile (total) hike and 1300ft elevation gain required to get there, it is very much worth the trek!
How to Get to Goldbug Hot Springs
Heading north through the town of Elk Bend, Idaho on Hwy 93, turn east on Warm Springs Road. The road terminates at the trailhead in approximately ¼ mile.
The trail starts on private property, and passage is generously permitted by the property owner making it imperative that all be respectful and quiet throughout this easement to ensure it continues to be accessible to future visitors as well. Continue to follow the trail approximately 2 miles, and you’ll arrive at Goldbug Hot Springs!
The first and last half-mile are the steepest and most strenuous, but our 4 year old was able to navigate the hike without too much difficulty. We highly recommend starting the hike early in the morning to avoid crowds and to keep from hiking in the full sun.
Other Helpful Goldbug Hot Springs Info:
There is cell service at the hot springs, and there’s a pit toilet available at the trailhead.
Camping is not permitted within 500 feet of Goldbug Hot Springs, but there are multiple free campsites along the trail for backpackers. Vehicle camping is available south of Elk Bend approximately 17 miles along the Salmon River just off hwy 93.
Though there are numerous other Idaho hot springs to explore, both commercialized and natural, these are definitely 5 of the best hot springs Idaho has to offer. And we hope you enjoy them as much as we did on your next adventure to this beautiful part of the country!
If you’re taking a camping road trip through Idaho, be sure to check out our post all about free camping in Idaho!
As always, thanks for reading! And please SUBSCRIBE for more travel tips to be sent right to your inbox!
Related Posts:
Pin Me!
We’d appreciate a share! Thank you!