Road Trip the Epic Idaho Hot Springs Loop
Four of the best hot springs in Idaho can be found on a single loop drive that’s epic in and of itself. Not only do we get to soak under steamy waterfalls and take a dip in the famed boat box, all while watching the sun set over a snowy river, but we’ll also get to experience Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, drive through a Dark Sky Park, and stop in Sun Valley on our way back to Boise for an end-of-trip libation if we’d like! This epic Idaho hot springs loop is one for the adventure books, and can be done in 1-2 days (depending on how determined you are).
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Table of Contents
Before we dive in, let's review a few very important details about hot spring etiquette.
Hot Springs Etiquette
Before we dive in, let's review a few very important details about hot spring etiquette.
Shower beforehand, if possible. Hot springs are very delicate, and it's super easy to accidentally introduce foreign bacteria that can disrupt its delicate chemical balance. Showering before entering can help their long-term health.
Keep it down. We visit hot springs to relax, and while Rainbow Kitten Surprise is calming for you, your neighbor might not agree. Read the room.
Never use soap. Again, hot springs are very delicate, and any foreign substance can hugely alter its natural balance. This includes biodegradable soaps and shampoos!
Stay hydrated! Hot springs are, well, hot, and can cause serious dehydration if your'e not careful. It's important to drink lots of water to ward off those "fainting spells" hot springs are known to cast. When it's time to leave, get up slowly. I never visit a hot spring without my 34-oz reusable, insulated water bottle.
Leave the glass behind. Breaking glass is (hopefully) never intentional, but accidents happen, and when they do, it can be dangerous, and broken glass can be nearly impossible to see.
Avoid peak times. Overcrowded springs aren't fun for anyone–it increases the negative impact on the springs and you could end up without a spot. Try to visit on weekdays if possible, and mornings are always best.
Are the hot springs on private land? If so, remember that this is a privilege. You're there as a guest.
Check for fees/permits/reservations. Every spring has its own rules and many do require fees, permits, or reservations to keep human impact to a minimum. Know before you go.
Kirkham Hot Springs
Check road conditions. Wilderness springs, while amazing, can be pretty grueling to get to. Do your research ahead of time to make sure you're appropriately prepared. Are there potholes? How deep is the snow? Will you need 4WD?
Pack out what you pack in. Hot springs see a lot of visitors, and we all have our little luxuries we like during a hot soak, but all of those cans, snack wrappers, and underwear (this is more common than you think) need to accompany you back home as well. Many of these hot springs, especially those in national forests aren't regulated as well as they could be. Therefore, what you bring in will stay there until someone else packs it out for you. Don't put that burden on them. Do your part, respect the land, treat it as if it were your own property, and keep it clean and pristine for future use.
Don't relieve yourself in the springs! Just like pools and hot tubs, relieve yourself in public springs is so not okay. Pools at least have chlorine and a cleaning system in place. Hot springs are as natural as can be, and any foreign substance can throw it off balance. We all know hot water loves to test our bladders, so consider using the bathroom before getting in. (Make sure to pack out your toilet paper too!)
Leave your fur puppies at home.
Camping is allowed at a few springs on this list. Check to make sure there’s a campground nearby before arriving.
Leave it better than you found it!
Pine Flats
The Route
Pine Flats
1) Pine Flats
Entrance Fees/Permits: Free in winter. $5 parking fee in summer.
Native Lands: Shoshone-Bannock
Level: Easy
Length: Summer: 0.6 miles RT. Winter: 1.5 miles RT
Open: Year-round
Temperature: 107-127 degrees.
Activities: Soaking, white water rafting, camping, fishing
Toilets: Vault at campground
Best time to visit: Early morning on a weekday.
This might just be my favorite Idaho hot springs of all time. The trail (1.5 miles round trip) begins at Pine Flats Campground and guides you along the Payette River, which is a freaking winter wonderland of a stroll in the colder months. I’d recommend bringing spikes if you have them–portions of the trail can get super icy, especially if there’s a lot of foot traffic.
Pine Flats
When you reach the fork, veer right for the hotter clifftop pools or left to soak by the river. The iconic pool–the one with the massive waterfall–is a bit tricky to get to but well worth the adventure if you ask me!
To find it, walk along the river’s edge until the river bed ends and the cliff goes straight into the river. You can either take off your boots and brave the icy water, or try your footing with a little cliff scaling to get you around the corner. If the river’s low, you’ll see a couple of smaller pools on the dry riverbed. Walk up to them and look up at the cliff to find the waterfall pool.
Pine Flats
If it’s taken, patiently wait your turn or try out one of the other pools–there are plenty to go around and all are relatively private.
Kirkham Hot Springs
2) Kirkham Hot Springs
Entrance Fees/Permits: There is a $5 fee per-vehicle / per-day use fee for parking outside of the closed gate.
Native Lands: Shoshone-Bannock
Level: Easy
Length: 0.2 miles RT
Open: Year-round
Temperature: 95-110 degrees.
Activities: Soaking, camping, fishing, hiking, swimming
Toilets: Vault at campground
Best time to visit: Early morning on a weekday.
Kirkham Hot Springs are probably the most popular springs on this Idaho hot springs list, and for good reason: they’re beautiful. They’re also visible from the highway, which makes finding them a breeze!
Kirkham Hot Springs
In the winter, park in the pullout outside of the campground’s gate and walk the short 0.1 through the campground to the river’s edge. The last traverse is a little steep and slipper, so spikes come in handy here!
You’ll find the epic waterfalls right away. Stop for a quick steamy shower before heading further down the river to find a secluded pool. They feature sandy or rocky bottoms, which means great exfoliation down there if ya know what I mean ;) We watched deer graze the riverbank while we soaked. Pretty freaking magical.
Hot springs addict? Check out these beautiful bright blue natural springs in Jackson Hole, Wyoming!
3) Sunbeam Hot Springs
Entrance Fees/Permits: None.
Native Lands: Lemhi-Shoshone
Level: Easy
Length: 0 miles
Open: Year-round
Temperature: 110ºF
Activities: Soaking, fishing, swimming
Toilets: None.
Best time to visit: Early morning on a weekday.
Just 18 minutes from downtown Stanley, Sunbeam Hot Springs has plenty of space for everyone! Its water flows into the Salmon River by pipe where visitors built a bunch of pools that mix river water with hot spring water to achieve the perfect soaking temperature. Note: Because you’re soaking in the river, the water may be too high and the current too strong to enjoy them. Evaluate the risk!
Boat Box
4) Boat Box
Entrance Fees/Permits: None.
Native Lands: Lemhi-Shoshone
Level: Easy
Length: 0 miles
Open: Year-round
Temperature: Hot hot hot. Up to 110 degrees, but you can adjust the temperature by taking out its source. I’ll explain more below!
Activities: Soaking, fishing, swimming
Toilets: None.
Best time to visit: Early morning on a weekday.
Stanley residents created Boat Box, previously known as Elkhart Hot Springs, to relax after a long day in the backcountry. Its close proximity to town quickly made it a popular local hot spot.
Boat Box
If you’re boat savvy and are thinking, “that’s not a boat box!” you’re right, but it did start as one! The river actually swept the boat box away one disheartening day, and was replaced by this metal tub fit for two. Don’t worry, this one’s secured with cables–we’re trying to relax, not white water raft.
Boat Box is right off the highway on the Salmon River, which was honestly a bit of a surprise for me. From the pictures I’d seen, I’d imagined it being tucked away in a remote part of Idaho’s forests, but it’s so close to Highway 75 that you could potentially splash a car driving by.
Boat Box
Pro tip: If Boat Box is looking a little dirty, open up the valve at the base of the pool to drain it, then use the PVC pipe to refill the tub. Note: It’s HOT! If it’s too hot, use the provided bucket to add a little river water–works like a charm.
4) Mountain Village Hot Springs
Entrance Fees/Permits: $25 USD per hour, for up to three people (if not staying at the hotel). Reservations required. Call 1-800-843-5475 to reserve.
Native Lands: Lemhi-Shoshone
Number of People: 8
Level: N/A
Length: N/A
Open: Year-round
Temperature: 98-104ºF
Activities: Soaking,
Toilets: In the lodge.
Best time to visit: Year-round, but I prefer winter.
The only built-up springs on this list, Mountain Village Hot Springs is owned by Mountain Village Resort and requires reservations to soak. Guests get first dibs but it is open to the public as well. It’s a cozy space and perfect for a stormier day thanks to its shelter that features two changing rooms and a large barn-style door that you cn prop open for views of the Sawtooths.
5) Cove Creek Hot Springs
Entrance Fees/Permits: None
Native Lands: Lemhi-Shoshone
Level: Easy
Length: 0.1 miles RT
Open: Year-round
Temperature: SUPER HOT! The source is said to get up to 140 degrees!
Activities: Soaking, fishing, swimming, camping at Basin Creek Campground
Toilets: Vault.
Best time to visit: Early morning on a weekday during the winter. Pools might be submerged in summer or during high water.
Cove Creek Hot Springs
Just past Boat Box on Highway 75, Cove Creek Hot Springs (also known as Basin Creek Hot Springs) takes the form of two super hot pools at the river’s edge, and by hot, I mean HOT! I had to move around quite a bit to avoid burning water bubbling up from between the pool’s rocks. Our neighbors would even occasionally take a dip in the ice-cold river to cool off. No joke.
Cove Creek Hot Springs
To access the springs, you’ll park at the pull-out with the vault toilet and walk down the river bank to the water’s edge.
Cove Creek Hot Springs
It was the perfect spot to relax and watch the sunset after a long, -10-degree day.
Cove Creek Hot Springs
7) Bonneville Hot Springs
Entrance Fees/Permits: $5 Unless you have an America the Beautiful Pass
Native Lands: Lemhi-Shoshone
Level: Easy
Length: 0.5 miles RT
Open: Year-round
Temperature:
Activities: Soaking
Toilets: Vault.
Best time to visit: Early morning on a weekday during the winter. Pools might be submerged in summer or during high water.
These hot springs collect in small rock pools in Warm Springs Creek (which is actually not warm at all), and mix with its cold water, similar to Sunbeam! Check out the small wooden shack at the top of the hillside where the water originates to find what I think is the coolest feature: a cast iron bathtub filled with hot water straight outta the pipe!
Hot Springs Map
What to Pack:
Kirkham Hot Springs
WATER and lots of it. Hot springs are dehydrating! I always carry a 32-oz insulated water bottle with a straw lid and finish the entire thing by the end of my soak.
A microfiber towel. These are lightweight and quick drying and work great for a quick dry-off before throwing your clothes back on. This is the epic national parks towel I LOVE that I wore at Kirkham Hot Springs!
A z-mat or some other waterproof surface to lay your belongings while soaking.
A trash bag for your trash along with others' trash you find along the way. Help keep these places clean and pristine!
Waterproof sandals. I picked up a pair of these rubber knock-off Birkenstocks from Amazon. Highly recommend.
Hiking boots for Pine Flats’ longer walk through snow. I basically lived in my Danner Mountain 600s this trip.
Microspikes! These saved my butt (literally) so many times! If you’re going to any of these hot springs during winter, odds are you’ll encounter snow basically anywhere you go. Spikes will keep you from slipping on the steeper sections!
Elk in Stanley, Idaho
Hotels in Stanley, Idaho
My rec? Take your time visiting these four Idaho hot springs and spend the night in the heart of the Sawtooths. Here are the best hotels in Stanley, Idaho.
Mountain Village Resort
This place has it all: 61 cabin-style rooms, a dance hall with live music, a poppin’ saloon, a restaurant, a mercantile, a gas and service station, and my favorite, a private hot spring. You have to be a hotel guest to enjoy the hot spring, but the other amenities are open to the public. | $89-$199
High Country Inn, Stanley, Idaho
Stanley High Country Inn
This was our home base for the trip–it gave me bed and breakfast vibes with just 12 cozy rooms, three cabins, and a welcoming restaurant in the lobby (with some really fabulous food). | $74-$219
Triangle C Cabins, Stanley, Idaho
Triangle C Cabins
A father and son duo stacked the logs in each of Triangle C’s 11 rustic cabins. They’re located on 2.5 acres in the heart of Stanley 10 of the cabins have a single room with a private bathroom and various bed arrangements while the 11th is a family cabin that can sleep up to 12. | $109-$129