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Home: Idaho Hot Springs: Frenchman's Bend Hot Springs
  Public Hot Springs
Sawtooth National Forest Overall Rating: A-
6,400 ft Water Temperature: Depends on season/pool condition
Ketchum / Smoky Mountains Area Usage Level: Heavy

Picture Viewer


08.29.04: Clear pools lie on each side of the creek during low water conditions


05.12.02: Buried under runoff (pic taken at night)


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Pool Condition
Wide and shallow, rock-walled with gravel and sand bottoms. Pools lie on each side of the creek.
Dates Visited: Trash Levels: Bug Levels:
08.29.04 low moderate
05.12.02 none none

Water Clarity:
Clear

Visibility:
High

Odor(s):
Slight Odor

Wildlife Sighted: Deer and Elk

Seasonal Notes
Seasonal Forest Road closure from October through mid-May (open date in May depends on snow level). Prime soaking season is between late June and late October. Pools are buried under spring runoff. Nighttime closure is posted and still in effect.
Camping Notes
No campsites around the spring and area is posted with 'no camping' and 'nighttime closure' signs, but there is plenty of campgrounds and primitive sites to choose from in the surrounding Sawtooth National Forest.

Briefings

08.29.04
I've heard that this place was popular; Frenchman's Bend sees a steady flow of late summer visitors until sunset every night. It's easy to see why once you've set yourself into one of the hot and clear pools. The scenery is great, people are usually pretty nice and it's only a short drive from Ketchum on a well-used, very bumpy dirt/gravel Forest Service Road.
Rating A-

05.12.02
Frenchman's Bend was submerged due to spring runoff. However, the two pools that I spotted looked like they would be prime soaks in a few weeks. I couldn't tell much about the condition of the nearby grounds because it was pitch black by the time we made it out to FB. This spring is now closed at night due to problems with abuse. I've also heard that during the summer locals clean themselves with soap in the pools on a daily basis. Rumor has it that there is another HS between FB and Ketchum along Warm Springs Road and nestled in the same creek. This HS is now day use only.
Rating X

Average Rating: A-

Related: Hot Springs Guide Books, Idaho Posters/Prints, Weather Conditions

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PUBLIC BATHING NOTICE

No Soap, Shampoo or BIO-Soap/Shampoo Allowed in Hot Springs! Avoid Being Fined!

Public hot springs are not bathing facilities and do not have 'plumbing' like that of commercial, improved hot springs. Soap and shampoo (including biodegradable soap and shampoo) do not completely breakdown naturally. This pollutes our water systems (ingested by fish, animals, humans) at or near the source. This is also illegal in most wilderness and public lands areas.

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