17 Amazing Hot Springs Near Boise to Explore
Welcome to Idaho, where we have the most soakable Hot Springs in the nation. The great mountains and expansive wilderness is home to over 300 springs, with about 130 of those soakable.
Growing up in Idaho I had the pleasure of traversing thru wilderness and woods to find a steamy springs. Great for relaxing after a long day skiing, cutting fire wood, or just enjoying the beautiful outdoors. Here in Boise we are in close proximity to numerous commercial and public springs. Check out the places below to enjoy Idaho’s geothermal activity!
Remember if you’re new to the area or a seasoned local there are a few rules to follow.
- PICK UP YOUR TRASH! ! ! What gets packed in must get packed out. No exceptions if we want to continue enjoying the springs for years to come.
- Avoid Glass in the springs.
- Keep your pets out of the pools.
- Be Kind to everyone when visiting.
- Don’t get them shut down with litter, poor behavior, or drug use at the springs!
Check Out These Hot Springs Near Boise
The Springs
Commercial Hot Springs- Idaho City
Address: 3742 ID-21, Idaho City, ID 83631. About 45 minute drive outside Boise.
Open: Sunday, Monday, Thursday-Saturday. Visits are by Reservation Only.
Water bottle refilling stations, indoor bathrooms, poolside food and drink
Poolside Menu/Beverage ordering. Outside food/beverage not permitted. Can bring water bottles.
Open year round! Busiest during the winter season.
The Springs in Idaho City is a must visit if you’re in the area or just getting back from the Idaho City Sledding Hill! Open certain days of the week, with adults only night on Fridays! This amazing hot springs near Boise is a must visit!
This resort offers a hot springs pool, a luxurious place to stay, and a full menu served poolside. You’ll have an amazing view of the picturesque snowcapped mountains, while soaking up the fresh spring water.
You can visit by reservation only, with reservations lasting 2.5 hour long sessions. Looking for a romantic getaway near Boise? Reserve one of the romantic private tubs!
This location is fantastic for kids, adults, and families of all ages.
Pine Flats
Free Hot Springs- Near Garden Valley, Idaho West of Lowman
90 minutes drive from Boise long the Banks-Lowman Highway. Trail head within the Pine Flats campground.
The hot springs is free, but the campground does take reservations and is only open until late fall. Link above will take you to the campground reservation site.
Vault toilets in campground during camping season. No ammenities nearby. Pack in and pack out.
Bring your own cooler. DO NOT bring glass bottles. Do not leave litter.
Fall/Winter months. In the Spring the river traverse is much more difficult.
Located West of Lowman, and hugging the Banks-Lowman Highway is this hidden gem. Follow the winding trail about a half mile along the South Fork Payette River until you come to a large rock outcropping.
Climb up the rock area to find more secluded small pools. These are nice in the winter months as the water is scorching hot. Near the river, you’ll find various sized pools nestled into the side of the cliff. These range from lukewarm, to hot.
If you’re looking for the real diamond, then follow the cliff face around the bend, and wade through about 15 feet of water. You’ll find a large pool with hot volcanic heated mineral water tumbling down over the cliff. A photo worthy scene, with the expansive Idaho Mountains in the background. This is one of my favorite hot springs near Boise as it was the first on I went to with my husband 6 years ago!
Gold Fork
Commercial Hot Springs- Near Donnelly, Idaho
About 2 and a half hours outside of Boise. The road from Donnelly is filled with pot holes, in the winter I recommend taking the drive in an SUV or Truck.
Does not take reservations. The website is somewhat old and they historically don’t answer their phone. CASH ONLY! Last time I went they didn’t have an ATM.
Porta potties on site. Lockers for rent. Water stations to refill water bottles. Snacks available in the yurt. Changing room with towel rentals.
Can bring your own food. Alcoholic beverages no longer allowed/served. Usually we keep the cooler by the pool.
Open Year Round! Busy during holiday weekends and they do have a capacity limit.
Gold Fork Hot Springs has changed a lot over the years. Growing up they had the single upper pool, and lower sand pool. They now offer 6 pools ranging in temperature from 85-110°F.
The upper pool is scorching hot, making it the perfect soaker in winter months. The second pool is a shallow sand pit great for small children and those looking to cool off.
The pools get subsequently less hot as you move down, making it perfect for even summer excursions. The area is well maintained with clean bathroom facilities, changing rooms, and lockers to rent. Unfortunately, the roads in the winter months are not well maintained so I definitely recommend driving a SUV or truck, we bottomed out our Civic 2 years in a row getting here.
Be aware that they only take Cash/check and usually don’t have a running ATM! Honestly, this is one of my favorite hot springs in the area as the views are breathtaking, and it’s a perfect distance from McCall and Donnelly.
Trinity Hot Springs
Commercial Mineral Springs and Wellness- Featherville, ID
– TAKE HWY 20 – East From Mountain Home or West from Fairfield
– Take Hwy 20 to the Large White Gravel Tent
—> TURN ONTO PINE/ FEATHERVILLE RD towards Anderson Reservoir.
– Pass the Reservoir and follow the road to Turn Rt at the Pine Bar/Cafe.
– Continue approx 5 miles to cross the Johnson Bridge after the Elk Flats Campground.
– As you come along side the River LOOK for the Red Gabled and A-Framed Roof House on the LEFT
Reservation Only. Visit website or call ahead.
A Spa and Resort offering indoor bathrooms, food available, and lodging options.
Food/Beverage available. Offering mineral water tinctures from the springs.
Open Year Round.
Trinity Springs Water is the only certified “Naturliches Heilwasser” – a natural health water – in North America. The location has a deep spring water that is marketed to contain benificial minerals for soaking and ingesting.
The area offers limited camping availability and lodging amenities. The pool itself is crystal clear.
The water arrives at the surface at approximately 135 degrees, and the pool temp varies depending ont he season. Typically ranging from 95-108 degrees in the Summer / 90-95 degrees in the Winter. This makes it a perfect temperature year round.
This Spring is slightly more spendy than the others, but still another great location to check out if you’re looking for a hot spring near Boise!
Miracle Hot Springs
Commercial Hot Springs- Buhl, Idaho
About 90 minutes outside of Boise, located right outside of Twin Falls in Buhl, Idaho.
Reserve Online, if staying in the area can walk in as well. Private pools by reservation only!
Indoor Bathrooms, snacks available for purchase, overnight accommodations including Geo-Domes. Camp sites have outdoor fire-pit and picnic areas.
Can bring your own food/beverages. No Glass allowed.
Year Round!
Featuring 4 outdoor general pools of varying temperatures and VIP Private pools to enjoy the hot mineral water. The area is well kept, and the facilities are clean.
This is a great area for summer camping as you have the river for kayaking, fishing, and swimming in the summer right down the road. Access is easy with well maintained roads and RV spots. The Vault bathrooms within the nearby campground are well maintained. It’s another amazing hot spring close to Boise, that’s well worth the drive!
You can check out the surrounding towns of Buhl and Hagerman, and then end the day with a relaxing soak in Idaho Mineral Water. Be aware that there is no lifeguard so kids need to be monitored at all times.
Kirkham
Free Hot Springs- Along South Fork of Payette
About 2 hours from Boise along the South Fork of the Payette along State Highway 21.
Free geothermal pools. Extremely busy on weekends. Recommend mid week trips! If you don’t have a Parks Pass make sure you bring cash for parking/day use.
Vault Bathrooms during open camping season. Clothing is required, sorry skinny dippers!
Bring a cooler! Glass is NOT allowed. Please pick up your trash!
Busy in the summer months with limited parking. Recommend mid week trip for this location as it has gained in popularity in recent years!
Nestled alongside the Payette and visible from the highway is one of the more poular geothermal pools in Idaho. Kirkham is a local favorite for it’s breathtaking scenery, and multiple hot soaking pools. This beautiful hot spring close to Lowman, and a short distance from Boise is worth the trip.
Skinny dipper beware, as clothing is not optional, and the signs remind you to keep the clothes on. There is day use parking, however it gets busy fast during the weekends and Holiday months. Make sure to get here early to get a good spot!
The pools are extremely shallow in certain areas, and the terrain is slippery so I recommend wearing water shoes. I don’t recommend this are for young kids as it can be difficult to traverse with smaller children.
In recent years Kirkham has seen a huge upswing in visitation, so make sure what you pack in is what you pack out! We want to keep this hot spring open and available for all the mineral water lovers!
Pools range from 90-120°F, but the pools are shallow in certain areas so plan for a quick change when getting out.
Trail Creek
Free Hot Springs- Warm Lake, ID
Past Cascade, and turn towards Warm Lake. Continue on the main road. This Springs is not marked and not visible from the road. 2 hours trip from Boise.
None: Pack in and pack out. DO NOT LITTER !
Bring your own. No Glass in Springs.
April – October: Spring Melt washes out some of the pools
This is a local hot spring favorite for nearby residents of Cascade, McCall, and Garden Valley. Located in the Payette National Forest, this natural spring was created with a mixture of natural boulders and cement to create 2 soaking pools.
The trek is not for the faint of heart, as coming off the main road, the trail features a winding, steep, dirt packed path that requires some technical skill to traverse. In the summer months the rope along the trail makes for a convenient hike down. In the Winter, this becomes a slip and slide, so wear good boots.
Once you arrive at the Springs, your reward is a steaming hot pool immersed in wilderness, and surrounded by mountains, a gurgling stream, and fresh pine trees.
Only a 2 hour drive from Boise, but I recommend visiting this spring if you’re staying in the surrounding area.
Burgdorf
Commercial Hot Springs- Mccall Idaho
3 hour drive from Boise. Outside McCall. Access to Burgdorf in the Winter (Nov-April) is by snowmobile/tracked vehicle only. Snow covered road closed to wheeled traffic.
Must make Reservation ahead of arrival. 2 hour soak reservations.
No electricity or cell service available. Bathrooms, drinking water, and light snacks on site.
Can bring outside food/beverage. Light snacks availabe for purchase.
Winter: The 30 mile snowmobile ride is an adventure.
Summer: Convenient location from McCall.
Operating since the 1870’s this historical mineral springs is an adventure unto itself. Set in the backdrop of expansive mountain peaks, fresh pine, and rustic buildings.
This hot springs near McCAll, Burgdorf features 3 historic log sided pools with gravel bottoms. The 2 smaller pools fluctuate around 113 degrees, and the larger pool fluctuates between 100-113.
The larger pool has a shallow area for those with limited accessibility, or smaller children. There is no lifeguard on duty, so kids must be monitored by adults at all times.
Dressing rooms are available with shelves to store your things. And they do have picnic areas for grabbing lunch. This is a year round hot spring, but be aware that in the winter it is only accessible by Snowmobile!
If you want to extend your stay you can reserve the small cabins along the springs! This hot springs is a favorite in McCall, but worth the trip for those from out of town!
Gold Bug
Free Hot Springs- South of Salmon, Idaho
South of Salmon near mile marker 282 on Highway 93. Trailhead to hot springs is accessed by dirt road. Follow the 2-mile trail. Hiking: Mod-Difficult.
Vault Toilets near trailhead
Pack in and Pack out. No Glass!
Fall: Trails are dry and easily navigated
Winter: Amazing experience, much more difficult to hike
Goldbug Hot Springs is located just south of Salmon, Idaho near mile marker 282. Located off Highway 93, featuring a 4 mile round trip hike with a 1,400 feet elevation gain. This hot springs 2-3 hours from Boise is a more isolated excursion.
The hike is not for the faint of heart, with a well traversed dirt trail and steeper climb section the closer you get to the springs. The pools are steamy hot year round, with breathtaking views of the surrounding area. You can pitch a tent, but remember you have to be 500 feet from running water.
The isolated area, gorgeous views, and piping hot mineral water make this trek worth the journey! As always make sure that you pick up any litter that you see, and keep our hot spring beautiful.
Rocky Canyon
Free Hot Springs- Boise National Forest near Cascade, ID
90 minutes from Boise between Garden Valley and Cascade Idaho. Follow Hiking trail, wear water shoes as you will be crossing a river bed. Shallow but cold! From Boise, Idaho Take W State St to ID-55 N in Eagle 18 min (7.6 mi) Turn right onto ID-55 N 39 min (33.7 mi) Follow Banks Lowman Rd to Middlefork Rd in Valley County 41 min (21.8 mi)
Vault Toilets near hiking trail.
Pack in/Pack out. Do Not bring glass.
Late Summer/Fall- Have to Cross Middle Fork so ideally when water levels are low.
Rocky Canyon is the perfect location if you want a secluded spot to enjoy Idaho’s hot springs.
A more hidden gem, this area gets less foot traffic due to the epic river crossing (Not that bad). The hike from the road is only about a half-mile, with a shallow river crossing, before arriving at the multi-level mineral pools.
This spring is best to visit when water levels are low, and not ideal for small children. The pools are built into the mountain side and overlook the pristine Middlefork of the Payette.
This area is great for day trippers or those staying in Cascade or Garden Valley. You can experience the wonder of the Boise National Forest and the beautiful mountainside while enjoying the geothermal spring.
The pools are about 90-105 degrees depending on the season, but make sure you bring warm clothes for the hike back. I recommend water shoes as your feet will get wet!
Mountain Village Resort
Commercial Hot Springs – Stanley, ID
Located in Stanley, ID about 2-3 hour drive from Boise.
Lodge Room guests of Mountain Village Resort get free access to the hot springs. All others must reserve ahead for soaking times.
2 small changing rooms, bathroom facilities, and food/beverage at lodge.
At lodge, cannot bring your own alcoholic beverages. Do not eat in the spring/pools.
Open year round, limited availability due to popularity. Best for if you’re staying at the lodge.
This man made hot springs pool seats about 8 indiviuals comfortably. A log frame has been built around the pool, with barn doors that swing open to reveal a breathtaking mountain backdrop overlooking the river.
Close to Boise, but a must visit hot springs when in Stanley. The area offers world class snow sports, hiking, kayaking, and fishing.
The stunning view of the Sawtooth Mountains can be enjoyed while soaking in mineral water ranging between 98-105 degrees depending on the time of the year. Lodge Room guests have free access, but reservations are available to the public.
Banbury
Commercial Hot Springs- Buhl, ID outside Twin Falls.
A little over 90 minutes from Boise, located in Buhl Idaho. Across the road from Miracle Hot Springs.
Expansive campground with Snake River Access. Reservations recommended.
Indoor bathrooms, changing areas, and picnic tables/chairs around pool.
Snacks available. Can bring in water bottles/cooler historically. Check for updated policies.
Year round- check as recently undergoing rennovations
Banbury Campground and Hot Springs is a family favorite. Located alongside the Snake River, with gorgeous views of waterfalls in the early Spring. This hot spring is near Twin Falls, and a short day trip from Boise.
The campground is well cared for with clean bathrooms and facilities, and the hot springs is well maintained. It features a large pool with a diving board, and floaties for the kids. Be aware there is no lifeguard on duty, so watch your children!
The campground is adjacent to the Snake River with kayak access to Blue Heart Springs. This is great location if near Twin Falls and looking for a family adventure.
Bonneville Campground and Hot Springs
Free Hot Springs – East of Lowman, ID
19 miles east of Lowman, Idaho just off Highway 21 at an elevation of 4,700 feet. Warm Springs Creek runs alongside the campground and the South Fork Payette River lies across the highway
Can reserve the campground May thru September
Vault toilet and potable water during open camping season
Pack in and pack out. No Glass at Hot Springs.
May thru September. Difficult traverse in snowy months.
Bonneville Campground and Hot Springs sits on the bluff overlooking Warm Springs Creek. Open May thru September, this campground is a wonderful base camp for enjoying all the outdoor recreation. The towering ponderosa offer plenty of daytime shade during the summer months.
The trail located near the campground isa 1/4 mile regularly traversed dirt path that leads to the hot soaking pools. The pools are warm year round, but much more difficult to reach in the winter months. Numerous natural hot springs can be found in this area, also known as the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway.
Other outdoor recreation found in this area includes trout fishing, wild life spotting, white water rafting, and kayaking.
Terrace Lakes Resort
Commercial Hot Springs – Garden Valley, Idaho
90 minutes from Boise in Garden Valley, at the Terrace Lakes Resort and golf course.
Call ahead to check availability. Rooms available for overnight stay.
Indoor bathrooms, lockers, and changing rooms.
Full restaurant and alcoholic beverages served at bar.
open year round-check website for hours
Terrace Lakes Resort nestled in the mountains of Garden Valley is another to add to the itinerary. They have a large outdoor pool between the main lodge and golf course.
The pool is hot year round-and has a shallow area for kids, and deeper area for adults. Drinks/food options are available at the restuarant inside the main lodge. The roads leading to the resort is well paved/cleared year round.
FrenchMan's
Free Hot Springs- Ketchum, Idaho
2 hours outside of Boise along Warm Springs Rd, in Ketchum Idaho.
From Twin Falls, Idaho US-93 N 4.0 mi Continue straight to stay on US-93 N 20.0 mi Continue onto N Greenwood St 180 ft Continue straight onto State Hwy 75 N/N Greenwood St Continue to follow State Hwy 75 N 54.8 mi Slight left onto Warm Springs Rd
Destination will be on the left 10.5 mi
Free and public hot springs.
Pack in and Pack out!
Late Fall/Winter
Easley Hot Springs
Commercial Hot Spring Pool- Ketchum, ID
Conveniently located a short 20 minutes North of Ketchum Idaho and 2 hours from Boise.
Call Ahead for private pools.
Indoor bathrooms, changing rooms, and storage space. General store with snacks and ice cream.
General store with snacks available.
Closed November until May, Summer season again opens May 2024.
Operating since 1928, this mineral water filled hot springs is a fun excursion for the whole family. Offering a small general store with snacks and delicious ice cream, to enjoy between soaks.
It has one large pool open throughout the Summer and into the Fall, with a few private springs available for reservation.
Be aware no life guard on duty, so monitor children closely. Located inside the Sawtooth National Recreation Area, they are surrounded by Forest Service campgrounds. The area is ideal for scenic hiking along the Harriman Trail, as well as biking and other outdoor recreational activities.
Haven Hot Springs
Commercial Hot Springs – Lowman
2 Hours from Boise, in Lowman, Idaho
Reserve ahead of time for the entire pool. Need to reserve a soaking time online.
Indoor bathrooms, changing rooms, areas for belongings. Camp on site.
Snacks/Beverages available for purchase.
Year Round- check website for camping availability.
Located in Lowman Idaho, this historic pool offers healing mineral geothermal bliss. Serving the community since 1951, you can soak up the serenity with your essential minerals.
The pool is available for reservation online. You can stay in one of the clean, cozy motel rooms, or camp in the area. They offer free access to the big hot pool after 10pm for overnight guests. The RV sites offer shady, grassy areas with full hookups for 45$ a night.
Come stay in Lowman and enjoy the scent of pine, the quietness of nature, and wash your worries away. This hot springs near Boise is best for an overnight stay, but bring the family and make a tip of it!
This was 17 amazing hot springs to enjoy around the Boise area! There are so many more to discover!