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One of my favorite places I have discovered over the past few years, is a small town in central Idaho called Stanley, Idaho.

The town of Stanley sits at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains and along the Salmon River. While the mountains give Stanley a stunning view from anywhere in the town, the river is surprisingly full of hot springs! 

The abundance of hot springs near Stanley Idaho makes this a perfect destination come Fall and Winter when you want to enjoy a hot dip in beautiful surroundings. The following list gives you a variety of hot springs to choose from-

Stanley, Idaho Hot Springs Map

Hot Springs Near Stanley Idaho List

1. Kirham Hot Springs

Trail Information: Link

Kirkham hot springs is by far the most popular hot springs on the list. For good reason! This gorgeous roadside attraction has many different pools to explore and even a hot waterfall you can soak under. You will be able to see the springs steaming right off the road and a set of staircases leads down to the soaking pools.

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2. Sunbeam Hot Springs

Hot Springs Location: Link

Next up on the list of hot springs near Stanley Idaho is Sunbeam Hot Springs. Sunbeam is located along the Salmon River and has piled up rocks blocking off a lovely few pools. This hot spring is super easy to access and has a sandy bottom for you to rest on.

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3. Goldbug Hot Spring

Goldbug Hot Springs is probably my favorite hot springs on this list because of it’s beautiful view! This hot spring is actually closer to Salmon, Idaho than Stanley but was worth adding to this list as it is truly a lovely experience.

This hot spring, unlike the rest on this list, does require a bit of a hike in. To get to Goldbug you have to hike a 3.6 mile RT trail to the springs.

Once there you will see that there are many tiered pools and can hike up past many different options to find the perfect one for you! Some art hotter and cooler- so it can feel a bit like a goldilocks hunt to find the best one.

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4. Boat Box Hot Springs

Hot Springs Location: Link

One of the more unique hot springs on this list of hot springs near Stanley Idaho is boat box springs. Boat box springs has a cauldron type bowl that is filled with hot water from a nearby pipe. You can add water as you go to make it the perfect temperature for you.

This hot springs is located off the Salmon River and can be quite busy. We waited a bit for some other people to leave before we finally got it to ourselves! Well worth it.

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5. Mountain Village Resort Hot Springs

Hot Springs Location: Link

If you are looking for a hot spring with a view you really cannot beat the Mountain Village Resort Hot Spring. A short walk from the resort is a small shed that houses a rather large hot spring! When we were there I think around 8 people were sitting in it together.

To access this hot spring you need to either be staying at the hotel (which we did, although I can’t really recommend it- it was pretty subpar in terms of hotels) or you can try and call and make a day reservation.

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6. Cove Creek Hot Springs

Trail Information: Link

Another gorgeous hot springs right off the road- Cove Creek Hot Springs (also known as Basin Creek Hot Springs!) This hot springs is right near a little campsite where you could easily camp for the night.

The hot spring itself is beautiful- the main pool is nestled right up to the edge of the water with nice rocks to lay back on. We spent a nice hour here reading and watching the river.

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7. Pine Flats Hot Springs

Trail Information: Link

Pine Flats is a gorgeous hot spring featuring a hot waterfall and rock lined pools. This spring is located on the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway on the the South Fork Payette River. 

Next to it you can find a campsite where you will find many families staying! It seems like a wonderful place to relax for a few hours or days!

This is the only springs on the list that I haven’t personally visited, yet it is well renowned enough that I had to share it regardless. 

You can find some great photos on this blog post.

More Info On Hot Springs Near Stanley, Idaho

Getting To Stanley, Idaho

The main way you will get to Stanley, Idaho is by car, either heading East from Boise or West from Challis or North from Twin Falls. The scenery around here is gorgeous so you will have plenty to look at on the drive in.

If you are heading in from out of town your best bet will be to fly into Boise, ID and then rent a car from there!

Where To Stay In Stanley, Idaho

Hot Springs Etiquette

Similar to the leave no trace principles (which also apply here!) There are some general rules that will leave the landscape as safe and pristine as possible.

No Glass- Just like a pool, bringing glass anything is a bad idea. People are walking around these areas barefoot and glass can easily shatter- don’t be that guy.

Don’t Pee In The Springs- Hot Springs are a natural system and like pools and hot tubs, it isn’t respectful to others or the land to pee in the springs. Make sure to use the bathroom before or after well away from the hot springs.

No Soap/ Wash Off- Hot Springs are wonderful, natural systems with their own ecosystem. Just like you don’t want to use shampoo in a lake, you don’t want to use soap in a hot spring.

Pack In, Pack Out- Too many times I have been to a hot spring and found old beer cans, and plastic wrappers- PLEASE pack out anything you decide to bring in. It is beyond disrespectful to the land and to other people who want to enjoy the beauty of nature. It can also hurt nature and be detrimental to the surrounding environment.

Stay Hydrated- Similar to a hot tub, being in a hot spring can dehydrate you extra quickly. Make sure to stay hydrated by bringing a reusable water bottle.

Be Respectful- These are shared spaces, and many times they are where others go to relax and calm their mind. Blasting music, yelling, and drinking way too much can really impact everyone’s experience. When in doubt just plan on keeping it all lowkey 🙂

What To Bring To Hot Springs Near Stanley, Idaho

Conclusion

I hope this list inspired you that Stanley, Idaho is the perfect place to explore if you are looking for a nice relaxing Fall or Winter destination! These 7 hot springs near Stanley Idaho are all absolutely gorgeous and totally worth a visit.

Let me know below if you have visited any of these before or if you know of some that didn’t make the list!

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