Hot springs in Idaho in winter

Soaking in winter

Winter is the best time of year for most hot springs. The water feels hotter, the steam comes off the pools and the crowds thin out after the holidays. The catch is getting there. Forest roads close or go unplowed from November, trailheads disappear under snow, and a spring that was a five minute walk in September can be a long ski in January.

Every spring on this page has a winter note from its official source or recent trip reports. Resorts and town pools keep running all season, though many change their hours, so check their website before you drive. For wild springs, carry chains, tell someone where you are going, and check the spring page on the day. Our daily check flags Forest Service closures and National Weather Service winter storm warnings.

Open all winter (10)

Resorts, town pools and roadside springs on plowed roads. Most are open daily; a few close on holidays or midweek.

1. Challis Hot Springs

   Paved road, any vehicle; open Tuesday to Sunday.

2. Downata Hot Springs

   Hot pools open year-round; slides summer only.

3. Durfee Hot Springs

   Open fewer days in winter; call before visiting.

4. Gold Fork Hot Springs

   Access road maintained and plowed in winter.

5. Green Canyon Hot Springs

   Off-season hours Labor Day to Memorial Day; closed Sundays.

6. Heise Hot Springs

   Hot pool open year-round; check winter hours.

7. Lava Hot Springs

   Town pools open winter hours, to 11pm Fri and Sat.

8. Miracle Hot Springs

   Open year-round; closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas.

9. Roystone Hot Springs

   Covered pool works in any season; reservation required.

10. Zim's Hot Springs

    Open Wednesday to Sunday; check hours before you go.

Worth the extra effort (9)

Reachable in winter, but with a gated road, a snowy trail, a 4WD requirement or a boat. Plan ahead and turn back if conditions are bad.

1. Bonneville Hot Springs

   Campground gate closed in winter; park and walk in.

2. Goldbug Hot Springs

   Open year-round but heavy snow makes 2 mile trail hard.

3. Molly's Tubs

   FR 474 not plowed; snowshoe or horseback.

4. Pine Flats Hot Springs

   Gate closed in winter; park and walk, roads icy.

5. Sunbeam Hot Springs

   Hwy 75 plowed in winter; short walk to pools.

6. Teapot Hot Spring

   Warm Lake Hwy and FSR 474 may need 4x4.

7. Trail Creek Hot Springs

   Reachable year-round; Warm Lake Hwy may close, 4x4 needed.

8. Weir Creek Hot Springs

   US-12 open year-round; icy 0.5 mile trail.

9. Wild Rose Hot Spring

   Roadside on US highway; short walk, water only 95-100F.

Snowed in until spring (24)

These springs are closed or out of reach in a normal winter, usually because the road or trail is buried. They are not on the map above. Check back from late spring.

1. Atlanta Hot Springs

   Middle Fork Boise River Road not plowed in winter.

2. Banbury Hot Springs

   Resort closed for renovation since 2022.

3. Barth Hot Springs

   River access only; boating season June to September.

4. Baumgartner Hot Spring

   Road gated or snowed in; open mid May to Sept.

5. Bear Creek Hot Springs

   Forest roads close in winter; best March to October.

6. Brown Creek Hot Spring

   Most roads into Atlanta area close in winter.

7. Council Mountain Hot Springs

   Forest road open May to Oct or Nov only.

8. Dagger Creek Hot Spring

   Forest road closed by snow October to mid May.

9. Easley Hot Springs

   Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day only.

10. Horse Creek Hot Springs

    High-elevation roads; open July through October.

11. Hospital Bar Hot Spring

    River trips only; no winter access.

12. Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring

    Loon Creek Road closed by snow in winter.

13. Nat-Soo-Pah Hot Springs & RV Park

    2026 season May 1 to Sept 7; closed winter.

14. Ninemeyer Hot Springs

    Atlanta area roads mostly close in winter.

15. Pete Creek Hot Springs

    Atlanta area roads close in winter.

16. Rocky Canyon Hot Springs

    Middle Fork Road closed to vehicles; snow until April or May.

17. Secesh Hot Springs

    Snowed in much of year; access road closed by snow.

18. Shower Bath Hot Springs

    Road passable only about July to October.

19. Silver Creek Plunge

    Campground closed for season until May 15.

20. Skillern Hot Springs

    Access road closed October to mid May.

21. Snake Pit Hot Springs

    Guide lists late spring to fall; winter access difficult.

22. Upper Loon Creek Hot Springs

    Loon Creek access snowed in; usable from about June.

23. West Pass Hot Spring

    Seasonal road open May 1 to December 1.

24. White Licks Hot Springs

    Seasonal road open about May through October.