Exploring Hot Springs On Idaho’s Sawtooth Scenic Byway
Idaho is chock full of hot springs but not surprisingly many are close to each other. Idaho State Highway 75, famously known as the Sawtooth Scenic Byway is a beautiful 116 mile trip through mountains and rivers away from the crowds of National Parks. This iconic route features soaring peaks, pristine alpine lakes, world-class resort luxury, and abundant geothermal hot springs.
The route winds through the rugged Boulder Mountains and follows the scenic Salmon River deep into the Sawtooth Wilderness. Be prepared, there are long stretches without towns, gas stations, or major services, giving travelers the sensation of driving straight into untouched backcountry.
Part of what makes the Sawtooth Scenic Byway so special is its solitude. While Glacier National Park attracts massive crowds during summer, Idaho’s mountain roads remain relatively under the radar.
Wildlife sightings are also common throughout the region. Depending on the season and time of day, drivers may spot elk, moose, mountain goats, marmots, black bears, or even wolves moving through the wilderness.
Needed items for your trip:
This Microfiber towel is great because it fits in almost any bag and most springs need towels.
Goggles are great if you are sensitive to minerals and if you want to peek underwater. Oops.
A good Water Bottle is needed to stay hydrated since hot springs tend to dehydrate us.
Hiking shoes are needed for some of these. I love the Merrell brand.
Osprey Backpack is great since it protects your stuff from the rain.
Sacajawea Hot Springs
Sacajawea Hot Springs is in Boise National Forest, off Grandjean Road (approx. 40 miles west of Stanley and 27 miles northeast of Lowman, Idaho). Stay nearby in Lowman at Sourdough Lodge. You can stay in cute log cabins with kitchenettes. This dog friendly motel is clean and quiet. You need to ask for a room with AC if of interest.
There isn’t a great parking option at Sacajawea Hot Springs, other than right along the road, where you’d almost be hit if a wide vehicle comes through. It’s a longer stretch creek side where you can find several pools for some privacy. No need to park right by the sign as pools continue for a bit down the road too.
What I loved most about these natural hot springs is that each pool has a different temperature, allowing you to find the perfect spot to soak. It’s amazing how you can control the temperature of the pools yourself by allowing or blocking the cold river water flowing into them.
A word of caution—be very careful if you bring pets, as some of the streams coming down from the hill are extremely hot and could be dangerous.
There is no cell service in the area; make sure to download offline maps before leaving Highway 21
Valley Creek Hot Springs
To get to Valley Creek Hot Springs, turn into Stanley Museum from Highway 75. There is a dirt spot that can park several vehicles. If you don’t have a high clearance vehicle, you need to be very careful when you enter the parking lot.
Then cross the wooden bridge over the river and the hot spring will be visible to your left.
This is more of a “warm” spring vs hot but it was still relaxing. The temperature was pleasant, probably around 95°, but there is a nice hot spot where the bubbles come out. Mild sulphur smell.
Stay nearby at Stanley High Country Inn with a view of the Sawtooth mountains. Enjoy free soda and hot tubs at this dog friendly hotel.
Mountain Village Resort
Mountain Village Lodge offers three private hot springs rooms with striking views of the Sawtooth Mountains. The water temp ranges from 98 – 104 depending on the time of year.
Two of them can be reserved for up to ten people. Rates are $50 for two people and $5 for additional guests. Each tub room has a changing room and a small grass area. The other one is a lottery system for anyone staying there.
We booked the private hot springs for morning and night. Stanley and the Sawtooth Valley are part of the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, so you can definitely stargaze here. The morning has the best views. The springs would be best if there was a cleaning tool to use. The walk to all 3 hot springs is about 550 yards (~1/3 mile) from the Lodge.
You can bring your own towels. They also have towels at the front desk that you can take down with you. There are not restrooms at the springs. The closest public restroom to the springs is at the restaurant. There are also no lockers there.
Boat Box Hot Spring
Stanley residents created Boat Box, previously known as Elkhart Hot Springs, to relax after a long day in the backcountry. The "cauldron" this spring is famous for washed away and is no longer there (P.S. read on to see where it ended up). In it's place it left a black tarp covering the rocks. It's still a beautiful place on the river however it gets really busy still.I will say, it's also right off the road. So you get a lot of traffic passing by and road noise.
Saw the aurora last week! Multiple (small) pools that have various Temps! Not very big but 1-2ppl can comfortably relax . Pvc pipes are there to adjust the temp. The first pools ARE HOT! Bring water shoes as the gravel is pretty sharp.
Cove Creek Hot Springs
Cove Creek hot spring is nice and secluded although you can still hear road traffic. Right next to the river so it offers beautiful views and sounds. Some areas are HOT while others are perfect temp.
The pool is very shallow, but has a nice sand bottom. Unfortunately the spot that is warm is no bigger than one person and no deeper than 10”.
The trail is about 60 yards. At the fork the hot springs are to the left and free camping is to the right. There's about 3 campsites but they haven't been visited in a while.
If you don’t like camping you’ll enjoy the cozy Redwood Cabins. When you open the rear window you hear the river rushing by!! We cooked our meal in the cabin, and later chilled in the backyard chairs next to the gorgeous river and with a view of the snowcapped Sawtooth Mountains. The cabins are simple but very clean with comfortable beds, microwave, closet, mini fridge, regular coffee maker, and standing shower.
Sunbeam Hot Springs
Sunbeam Hot Springs is a historic and unique setting situated along the Salmon River. Off Highway 75, roughly a 15–20 minute drive east/northeast of Stanley, Idaho.
The cauldron that sits here now was moved from its previous site at boat Box Hot Springs and is now part of the various pools that you can choose from.
The changing rooms are located just up the path from the Hot Springs near the parking lot. A little difficult to climb down to with younger children or older individuals.
The hot water comes out of a culvert under the highway and runs into the river. There are a few pipes placed along the shore to redirect the hot water.
There are a number of small pools along the rivers edge to sit in. There are two makeshift tubs with water flowing into them as well as natural pools in the river that have been set up for sitting and soaking.
The water issues from the hillside at around 160° F (71° C). By rearranging the river rocks to mix with the cold 50° F river current, you can adjust the pools to a comfortable 100° F to 110° F. If there in the winter you can dump some snow in too!
Slate Creek Hot Spring
Slate Creek Hot Springs, located in the White Clouds Wilderness Area in the central part of the state, is a little-known hot spring that requires quite a hike to enjoy. These hot springs are actually located at the site of the old Hoodoo mines. As you sit and relax, you’ll be able to see signs of the mine from years ago.
Water comes out of the hillside just before dumping into Slate Creek. Secluded as it is up a 7 mile dirt/gravel road. There are a few primitive camp spots along the road. Easily traversed dirt road to a hiking path about 1/4 mile long. Path gets a little sketchy and narrow, so wear good shoes.
You can also take a longer hike in. The Slate Creek Hot Spring Trail is an approximately 5-mile out-and-back trail. To reach the hot springs, you must climb nearly 1,800 feet. The last half of the climb to the hot spring is where you will experience the steepest and most difficult terrain so make sure you are prepared mentally and physically. You’ll know you’ve reached the hot springs once you see the soaking box. You can fill up the box with warm water and soak in it before heading back down the trail.
Upper pool is more “refined” and lower pools are basically hand dug with rock retaining walls.
Bring bug spray, something to drink, and don’t leave any garbage behind.
Really only one man made Pool to soak in. The tub is made out of wood and there are pipes picking up water out of several different hot and cold sources.
Challis Hot Springs
Land of the Yankee Fork State Park has several interesting historical sites, including the Challis Bison Kill site, the ghost towns of Custer, Bayhorse, and Bonanza, the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, and now, the Challis Hot Springs.
Site and pools are all A1. We got a camp spot right along the creek where water is flowing warm. We don't often stay in developed campgrounds, but when we do we want one exactly like this!
Beautiful grounds with nice spots (tent spots have nice spacing between them), great views, right on the river, gorgeous forest walking trail, clean restrooms, and of course 2 amazing hot spring pools.
The pools are concrete with a nice pebble rock bottom - very clean and well maintained. A nice warm one for hanging out longer, and a separate area for a small hot one that will cook you nicely like a lobster.
A unique feature of the springs is the "live" bottom of each pool. Natural river or creek rock and sand allows the springs to percolate upward and into the pools. The large hot springs pool was around 99°, sparkling clean and very comfortable. The smaller hot pool was between 104 and 107 ° .
You can also enjoy activities such as kayaking, rafting, and fishing on the Salmon River, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and wildlife. This is a great location for an outdoor retreat in Idaho.
