Bronco Billy Hot Springs

Bronco Billy Hot Springs — also known as Deer Creek — is a cautionary tale along the Banks-Lowman Highway in the Boise National Forest, in the Banks/Garden Valley area. The honest summary: the source pool is far too hot to soak, and the second pool below the highway has been gone since a 1996 mudslide. Most visitors look, and keep driving.

Pool Condition

The rock-walled source pool, with a sand/rock/gravel bottom, is shallow and extremely hot. The outflow runs down the hill and under the highway through a culvert; the culvert pool on the Payette River side has been non-existent since Bronco Billy was covered in a mudslide in the winter of 1996, and its water runs far too cool for soaking anyway.

Seasonal Notes

Accessible year-round — but be wary of the mud and rock slides that are a common occurrence along the Banks-Lowman Highway.

Camping

Boise National Forest campgrounds are abundant in this area, though the close ones are around 10–15 driving minutes away.

Bronco Billy Hot Springs Soak Stats

• Access Type: Roadside
• Public Land: Boise National Forest
• Elevation: 2,925 ft
• Water Temperature: Too hot (source) / too cold (culvert pool)
• Water Clarity: Murky
• Visibility: Low to moderate
• Odor(s): None noticed
• Nearest Area: Banks / Garden Valley
• Wildlife: Deer, elk, fox
• Usage Level: Low