Discovering hot springs, or hot springs hunting as I sometimes call it, is so much fun! Alex and I enjoy ones found off the beaten path although we have also indulged in hot springs that are more improved such as the ones you can find when you rent a cabin in Twin Springs, Idaho. Great place if you’ve never been! Might need to do a post about that place…….
In Idaho, there are about 130 hot springs you can soak in which, from my understanding, is more than any other state. Many of the hot springs are created from leftover energy that has heated the water near and around fault lines. According to some research I’ve done, it’s thought that the energy is from a 17 million year old meteorite collision that occurred in southeast Oregon. Pretty cool stuff!
There is nothing like sitting in a hot springs while snow is falling all around you. Fall and winter are my favorite times of the year to enjoy hot springs. Usually water levels in the rivers located near many of the hot springs are low enough so that you can actually see and enjoy them. In some instances, you need to ford across the river to reach them and if it’s running high, it’s dangerous. Be sure you do your research before you head out so you know what to expect. Some of our favorite hot springs require us to hike or snowshoe into, others have steep terrain, so be sure you wear the proper footwear so you aren’t slipping and sliding down a steep and rocky pathway and getting hurt. Researching the area the hot springs is in is important.
We have a hot springs bag we bring that we throw our water shoes, towels, dry clothes, a small first aid kit, and water in. That’s usually what we’ll bring because we don’t tend to stay too long (usually no more than an hour). If we think we’ll stay longer we’ll bring along some snacks to munch on and extra water. Alex can generally soak in hot springs longer than I can before becoming too hot. Be sure to listen to your body because the last thing you want to do is faint. Take breaks, drink plenty of water, and if you choose to drink an adult beverage, just know that the heat can affect you differently because you become dehydrated so, I’ll say it again, drink plenty of water along with your adult beverage. We also bring headlamps if we know we’ll be hiking in or out when there is little to no light out. Keep in mind there are likely animals around. We do carry a gun in case we need to scare something off (bears, mountain lions) but most of the time they avoid humans. Just be aware of your surroundings.
Generally we end up alone at a hot springs but there have been times others are there when we arrive. Depending on the size of the hot springs, you may be able to soak with plenty of space. If not, be courteous and wait for the others to leave. If you are soaking and others arrive, enjoy your soak time but don’t “hog” the area. Most people we have encountered have been pretty cool and we end up sharing the area while still enjoying the relaxing atmosphere. Keep in mind that bathing suites are not necessarily required so expect to encounter nudity.
Don’t use a hot springs to take a bath. Even using environmentally friendly products is a no-no. Never bring glass and always pack out what you pack in. You might consider bringing an extra garbage bag in case someone has trashed the area before you arrived. Most of the time we have not seen trash or other items strewn around the hot springs thankfully. It is my understanding this is not the case in other states which is unfortunate.
There are so many beautiful places in Idaho with hot springs nearby. Look for the telltale steam or keep your nose tuned to the sulfur smell that accompanies these gems. Many of the places we like to go are not well known but there are plenty that are. Get yourself a hot springs book or use good old Google to plan your trip. On the Banks/Lowman highway you’ll find Kirkham and Pine Flats hot springs, both of which are popular. There are several near Sun Valley and Stanley including Boat Box and Frenchman’s Bend. I mentioned Twin Springs earlier in the post where you have your own private “hot springs” when you rent a cabin; Idaho City also has a fun place to soak that is improved, The Springs. Around the McCall area there are a few including Gold Fork hot springs. Don’t be afraid to get out and explore and if you ever come on camping trips with us, you can be sure we’ll be heading to a hot springs you may not have heard of.
Comment below and let us know what some of your favorite spots might be or email us and we might give away some of our hot spring location secrets. Happy soaking!
