Hike-in Required
No
Water Temperature
Sensitive Habitat
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Along the Payette River off of Idaho's scenic Highway 21, the Kirkham Hot Springs are some of the most accessible and scenic hot springs in the region. A plethora of large, natural and constructed pools offer soaking options ranging from extra steamy to mildly warm. A natural shower of hot water offers you a chance to get your hair wet. And for those seeking a real mix of temperatures, take a quick jump off of the rocks into the Payette, which is a frigid collection of snow melt from the nearby Sawtooth Mountains. 

The pools are easy to access and kept very clean. The water in both the soaking pools and the river is crystal clear and inviting to visitors. Be careful climbing over slippery rocks, where colorful but slick algae thrives. 

Camping is available at the adjacent Kirkham Campgrounds for those seeking an overnight soaking experience.

Logistics + Planning

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Pools are large and shareable. Beautiful river. Easy to access.

Cons

Can be crowded.

Features

Natural
Constructed

Number of pools

10

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Comments

08/11/2017
These hot springs are a beautiful spot, and easy to access. It can be tough to find it on a day when it's not crowded, but the people of Idaho are great-- and willing to share this special spot. As with all hot springs, be mindful and considerate of others, do not bring glass, and clean up after yourself. Please see the OP post on hot springs etiquette for more info if you're interested!
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