Pine Flats is the Perfect Idaho Hot Springs for a Winter Soak
In this post, I'll talk about what to pack for a day spent at Pine Flats, how to prepare, detailed directions, my favorite springs, and pro tips for an enjoyable experience for all. Let's dive in!
Lounging beneath a steamy waterfall in a pool of hot mineral water with river views on a snowy winter day–I mean, what sounds better than that? I'm a sucker for hot springs, so I stopped at plenty on my Seattle-to-Jackson Hole road trip. My favorite? Pine Flats. You'll see why.
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Table of Contents
At a Glance:
Location: South Fork Payette River, in the Sawtooth National Forest, Lowman, Idaho
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
Hot springs nearby: Kirkham Hot Springs, Boat Box Hot Springs, Bonneville Hot Springs
Getting There
From Boise, Idaho, head north on US-55 to Banks, Idaho, which is about 38 miles away.
At Banks, turn right onto US-17, also known as Banks/Lowman Road and travel for 28 miles to Pine Flats Campground.
It's a 10-minute walk down to the hot springs via the trail from the west side of the campground.
Winter Notice: If you're visiting in winter, you'll have to park on the shoulder of US-17 and walk the unplowed campground road to the trailhead, which adds another 0.5 miles or so to your hike.
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, increases the chance of COVID exposure, 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.
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 like Astoria, 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 pee in the springs! Just like pools and hot tubs, peeing (or pooping) 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 peeing before getting in. (Make sure to pack out your toilet paper too!)
Leave your fur puppies at home.
Camping is not allowed at Astoria Mineral Hot Springs.
Leave it better than you found it!
The Adventure
Once parked, we threw on our swimsuits under our clothes, packed our micro-fiber towels, snacks, water, and a trash bag, strapped on our spikes, and took off down the snowy campground road to the trailhead. The road itself was flat with a packed trail, so snowshoes weren't necessary.
Just about a half-mile down as the road made its first turn, a small sign on our right pointed us to the springs.
But first things first, I had to pee like none other. We drove from Boise that morning and my bladder was fulllll of coffee. Luckily, the campground's pit toilet is open year-round (bring your own toilet paper if you have it–I like to keep a roll in my car for just these scenarios), so I ran over and did my thang.
Pro Tip: Make sure you pee before visiting the springs! As mentioned above, hot springs are delicate ecosystems, and peeing in the pools is not just gross, but it can throw the whole thing off balance. Pee before you go!
Feeling good, we started our short but steep-ish descent down to the river, which was SUPER icy. Our spikes were seriously game changers. Two women in front of us turned around because they were afraid to brave the slippery trail, while another group full sent it on their butts most of the way down.
The trail then evens out for a beautiful riverside stroll through snowy trees. You'll eventually hit a fork in the trail–clifftop pools are to the right and cliffside pools to the left.
The Best Clifftop Pools:
The first pool after the fork is my favorite of the upper pools. Warm with a view, I could've stayed there forever, but I was keen on exploring a little more!
The hottest pools are at the top of cliff, with the source being 127 degrees. Walk toward's the cliff's edge CAREFULLY, to find another pool overlooking the river and the mountains beyond. The steam makes it hard to spot, but when you find it, you'll feel as if you have the entire area all to yourselves.
The Best Pools by the River:
Once you reach the beach, climb the natural rocky ramp up the cliffside, then turn around to see a small pool nestled between the rocks, fed by a waterfall. While gorgeous, this one isn't too warm, so we snapped a pic or two and moved on.
But the pool that makes Pine Flats my favorite Idaho hot springs is just around the corner. You have to work for it, which makes it that much more exciting when you arrive.
At the river's edge, you'll see a rocky cliff that leads straight into the river to the west. 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. We did both, and scaling the cliff ended up being the favored option. I don't know about you, but I like being able to feel my toes!
You'll see a pool built into the river's beach, a second one up a little higher in the rock, and the third one at the base of a massive, steamy waterfall. It was unrealllll!
We placed our clothes on our z-mat to keep them dry, grabbed our reusable water bottles, and waded in.
What to Pack:
Swimsuit – I layer my one-piece under my clothes to get in the pool as fast as possible.
Changing poncho. I loveeee my Nomadix microfiber changing poncho for adventures like these! They’re quick to absorb, warm, and make changing back into my clothes so easy in public!
Water – I like to bring along my Hydroflask insulated water bottle follows me on all my hot springs adventures. Stay hydrated, friends!
Snacks – Something fresh like an orange (pack out those peels!) tastes 10x better when enjoyed in a spring.
Rumpl Everywhere Mat – I throw my clothes on top of my Everywhere Mat to keep my clothes dry while soaking.
Spikes – This trail can get slipper in the winter. Spikes can make all the difference!
Trashbag – For your trash and others'!
** Don't forget to pack everything out with you!