This Underrated State Has Over 200 Hot Springs—Here Are 5 Favorites, According to a Local Travel Expert

Nearly every time I tell somebody I’m from Idaho, I have to present a brief geography lesson. As one of America’s forgotten states, Idaho flies mostly under the radar, perhaps because it’s the only state west of Nebraska without a national park (unless you count a tiny sliver of Yellowstone). Yet Idaho abounds with natural wonders, from the otherworldly Craters of the Moon—a lava-crusted landscape full of secret caves—to the lush Hagerman Valley in the Snake River Canyon.

Growing up in the city of Ketchum, we’d spend weekends and school trips traversing the state, backpacking and river rafting through rugged mountain landscapes. Our outdoor trips would inevitably lead to hot springs—the state has over 200, created by the geothermal activity of the active volcanos within the nearby Yellowstone Caldera. From backcountry pools only accessible by foot to family-friendly geothermal water parks, here’s how to experience the best of Idaho’s varied hot springs.

Goldbug Hot Springs

This hike-in hot spring between the towns of Challis and Salmon is one of the best day trips in Idaho. The 3.6-mile out-and-back hike is a short but steep climb with almost 1,000 feet of elevation gain. The trail itself passes through sagebrush slopes and rocky canyons, giving you a sense of just how untouched this part of the state remains. But the reward is worth it: At the top, you’ll reach a natural infinity pool with views overlooking the valley. Soaking in the warm springs after the ascent feels almost surreal, like stumbling upon a spa in the middle of the wilderness.

The best time to visit is summer or fall, when the trail is dry. You can camp overnight at Goldbug, provided you’re at least 500 feet from the springs. Two miles from the trailhead, you’ll also find Salmon Gypsy Bed and Breakfast, where you can glamp or stay in a converted shepherd’s wagon.

Photo by steve bly/Alamy

Sunflower Hot Springs

This hard-to-reach hot spring is located along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, one of the largest car-free wilderness areas in the United States. While some of the state’s best hot springs are only accessible by foot, this one is only accessible by boat. Sunflower Hot Springs, steps from the river, perches on a rocky outcropping. Climb up to the pool to soak, or stand below, where overflowing water creates a natural hot shower.

Sunflower is a popular stop on the five-night trips offered by companies like Far and Away Adventures, one of the best luxury outfitters, providing a mobile glamping experience with a wine and food focus. The excursion takes you through 100 miles of rushing rapids and tranquil pools along the Salmon River. I’ll never forget my first visit here during a multi-day rafting trip, when guides surprised us with a stop at Sunflower to soak.

Photo by CSNafzger/Shutterstock

Frenchman’s Hot Springs

Although Frenchman’s is by no means the best hot springs in Idaho, it’s still my favorite. It’s also the one I grew up visiting the most, for après-ski soaks with my family or late-night shenanigans with friends. To reach it, drive 10 miles from downtown Ketchum on Warm Springs Road. When the road turns from pavement to dirt, keep going. And then keep going some more, until you reach the sign. The hot spring is right along the river and nearly invisible, except for the wafting steam. Depending on the season, there will be multiple natural pools to choose from—and the frigid Warm Springs Creek to use as a cold plunge.

While you can visit the springs year-round, they might be flooded and too cold to enjoy at certain points—ask a local before you make the trek out there. Frenchman’s is especially fun during ski season, when Sun Valley sparkles with gallery walks, chic boutiques, and bustling restaurants. To take advantage of all the town offers, stay at the Limelight Ketchum, with its cozy rooms and Baldy views. For many locals, a soak at Frenchman’s after a day on Bald Mountain is a beloved winter ritual.

Courtesy of Visit Idaho

Miracle Hot Springs

While Idaho is rife with natural hot springs, there are also plenty of facilities that have harnessed geothermal waters to create accessible pools with amenities like changing rooms and waterslides. In Hagerman, the family-friendly 1,000 Springs Resort was an inevitable stop on school trips. The indoor pool has a log suspended on chains right at the water’s surface, and we’d happily spend hours trying to see how many kids could fit on the floating log.

If you don’t have kids in tow, I suggest heading to Miracle Hot Springs instead, only a five-minute drive down the road, where the indoor-outdoor facilities offer a slightly more upmarket experience. Instead of a floating log, you’ll find a large outdoor pool along with private baths, plus peaceful landscaping that makes it feel more like a spa than a school-trip destination. Spend the night in one of the property’s glamping domes.

Courtesy of Visit Idaho

Mountain Village Resort

The tiny town of Stanley is one of my favorite places in Idaho. Fewer than 300 people call this municipality home, but it’s one of the best spots in the state to experience the aptly named Sawtooth Mountains. In the summer, we’d go river rafting on the Salmon River or water skiing at Redfish Lake. Stanley is an ideal launching point for multi-day backpacking trips. In the winter, a handful of ski-in lodges offer the ultimate backcountry experience. The town has almost a Wild-West feel, with a few old-school steakhouses and country bars, plus the famous Stanley Baking Co. & Cafe (get an order of oatmeal pancakes for the table). Stay in town at one of the funky motels or splurge for a few nights at Idaho Rocky Mountain Ranch, a stylish log-cabin resort about 20 miles from town.

To get your hot springs dip, head to the Mountain Village Resort, which has an unbelievable view of the Sawtooth Mountains from its geothermal hot tub. The facilities are open to nonguests, but advanced reservations are required. A sunset soak with the jagged Sawtooths glowing pink is one of those Idaho moments you never forget.