Bridge Hot Springs
Also known as Elk Flat Hot Springs
138°F
Source water (NOAA)
Short walk
Easy access
Unknown
Fee not verified
Bridge Hot Springs is a group of user-built rock and sand pools along the South Fork Boise River by a bridge just before Featherville. Hot water comes out of the gravel bank and is channeled into pools. The site is busy in summer and the pools are submerged during spring runoff.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Swimsuits required
- Camping nearbyElk Flat Campground is across the river and within walking distance. It is reported to operate year-round, with reservations through Recreation.gov.
- PoolsSeveral (numerous user-built pools on both sides of the bridge)
- BusyLate summer, once the river has dropped after spring runoff.
- SeasonPools are submerged during spring runoff. The site is reachable all year, and the best soaking is in late summer when the river is low.
Best time to go. Late summer, once the river has dropped after spring runoff. This is also the busiest period.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with Boise National Forest.
Checked 14 Oct · updated daily
No current closures, fire restrictions or road restrictions specific to this site were found in searches for 2024 and 2025. The fire closure notices that came up concerned other parts of the Boise National Forest. Check with the Boise National Forest before traveling. The trip reports are old (2002 to 2006).
Pools are submerged and unusable during spring runoff. Source water is reported at about 135 F, so mix it with river water. The pools can be seen from the road, the bridge and the campground. There are no services on site.
03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Featherville.
- 1
Take Forest Road 114 toward Featherville, Idaho. The pools are on both banks of the South Fork Boise River next to the bridge just before Featherville.
- 2
They are on the bank opposite Elk Flat Campground, and steam is visible from the road. One guide lists a 1.3-mile Bridge (Elk Flat) Hot Springs Trail nearby.
- 3
Exact trailhead details were not verified.
43.5400, −115.2880 · nearest town Featherville, ID
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Featherville, from campgrounds to cabins.
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