Basin Creek Hot Springs — also known as Cove Hot Springs — is a cluster of rocky, user-built pools along the Salmon River east of Stanley, Idaho, a short hike from the Highway 75 parking area past Basin Creek Campground. It comes with an honest caveat up front: on repeated visits over the years these pools have been found semi-submerged and too cool to soak, so treat this one as a low-water gamble rather than a sure thing.
Description
The pools are rock-built with gravel and rock bottoms, set semi-secluded along the river. When the Salmon River runs high they sit partly underwater and the soak goes cold; at low water they look like a proper soak. This is a day-use stop — there is no overnight camping in the parking area.
Seasonal Notes
Pools submerge during high water. Summer and fall, after runoff drops, are the realistic windows.
Camping
No camping at the hot springs and no overnight camping in the parking area. There are plenty of official campgrounds along Highway 75, plus primitive camping options in the area.
Basin Creek Hot Springs Soak Stats
- Season: Summer, fall
- Access Type: Roadside (short hike from parking)
- Public Land: Sawtooth National Forest
- Elevation: 6,100 ft
- GPS: 44.264, -114.818
- Water Temperature: Not documented (repeatedly too cool on past visits)
- Water Clarity: n/a
- Visibility: High
- Odor(s): None noticed
- Nearest Town: Stanley
- Wildlife: Deer, elk
- Usage Level: Moderate-high
Discover more from IdahoHotSprings.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.