Goldbug Hot Springs

Goldbug is well-known and is used by many different types of soakers. The fairly difficult hike does little to deter the crowds. However, this hot springs is well cared for. The norm here is to pick up your trash and leave as little trace as possible. It is encouraging to encounter a hot springs where the majority of visitors are stewards. Expect a mostly non-swimsuit wearing crowd (signed as clothing-optional area) that are polite and friendly. Watch for snakes during the warmer months; this area has many rattlesnakes and other kinds of snakes – the elevation and temperatures are just right.

Pool temperatures vary depending on the time of year from chilly to toasty. Dipping in a finger or toe is always a good idea before sticking a leg in. It’s not often you encounter swimsuits given the remoteness of the area, but it might be a good idea to keep one handy just in case. Sun protection, extra water and food are a must, especially during warmer months.

At a Glance

Location	Warm Spring Creek canyon, Lemhi County, east-central Idaho — 23 miles south of Salmon
Coordinates (springs)	44.905188, -113.929641
Coordinates (trailhead)	44.898097, -113.956998
Soak type	Natural rock-walled pools and hot waterfalls along the creek
Water temperature	Varies by pool and season. No official temperature is published — test the water before entering (see Safety)
Access	Hike-in only: about 2 miles one way, roughly 1,359 feet of elevation gain, steep final half-mile
Fee	None
Reservations / permits	None — free, first-come hike-in site
Land & management	Pools are on Salmon-Challis National Forest land (Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District). The site and access are managed by the BLM Salmon Field Office. The first 1/4 mile of trail crosses private land on a BLM-held public-access easement
Dogs	Must be leashed while crossing the private-property easement
Camping	Prohibited within 500 feet of the springs (Forest Order 04-13-23-005, in effect through March 30, 2028) and at the trailhead
Clothing policy	No official policy is posted — see the soaking notes above
Facilities	Limited trailhead parking. No potable water — carry your own

Current Conditions & Availability

No official open/closed notice is published for Goldbug, so check the BLM Goldbug page and Salmon-Challis National Forest alerts before you go. Two standing conditions always apply: camping is prohibited within 500 feet of the springs under Forest Order 04-13-23-005 (through March 30, 2028), and during spring runoff the pools can submerge under the creek — see Best Time to Visit.

Location, Map & Directions

From Salmon, drive 23 miles south on Highway 93. Just south of Elk Bend, near mile marker 282, turn east on the county-maintained road and drive 0.3 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road. Trailhead on Google Maps. Follow the marked trail about 2 miles, mostly up, to reach the series of geothermal bliss.

The first 1/4 mile of trail crosses private property on a public-access easement purchased by the BLM. Stay on the trail, keep dogs leashed, and keep noise down through this stretch — continued public access depends on respecting the landowners.

The Hike to Goldbug

Two miles may not seem like much, but you will have to work to reach Goldbug. This first 1/4 mile is on private land. Once you pass through the gate you will have entered the national forest. You will travel up hills, down into desert valleys complete with cacti, and back up, and up some more. In the desert-type area, you will find a composting toilet if the urge arises. Across from the toilet, there are a few dispersed, primitive campsites.

The last half mile up is the steepest section of the entire route. While most of the path is through a desert landscape filled with sagebrush there are brief cool areas of relief near the creek among the junipers. Once you have reached the wooden box steps, take a breath, enjoy the view, and know you are almost to your destination. Cross the bridge and take it all in.

The Soaking Experience

Several pools await the adventurous soak seeker. Fed by various sources from cool springs to moderate the waters and hot waterfalls provide varying temperatures. The temps also slightly fluctuate throughout the year.

The rock-walled pools are filled with sandy and rocky bottoms. The topmost hot spring is the warmest and cooler the further down you go. Water shoes are recommended not only for soaking but for going between the pools as well.

Fees, Hours & Reservations

Goldbug is free. The BLM lists no fees for the site, there is no reservation system or permit, and no official hours are posted — it is an undeveloped, first-come hike-in soak. Plan to self-sufficient: there is no potable water at the trailhead or the springs.

Facilities, Lodging & Nearby

Parking at the county-managed trailhead is limited — be respectful of the surrounding landowners and don’t block driveways. The nearest town for fuel, food, and lodging is Salmon, 23 miles north.

Camping

The 1st quarter mile of the hike is on private property, and there are no camping sites at or near the trailhead aside from a BLM recreation site a few miles down the highway.

Between 1 and 2 miles in, there are a couple of primitive campsites nestled in the junipers near the creek just off the trail that provide ample seclusion and shade. There are also stepped camping sites above the hot springs near the 4th bridge on the north and south sides of the creek. The stepped plots are fairly small and would accommodate 2-person tents. They are all fairly close together, so don’t bother unless you don’t mind close company – because there will be company.

Wherever you camp, the Forest Service’s general rules for dispersed camping on this forest apply: free, up to 300 feet from an open road, 14-day stay limit — and remember the 500-foot no-camping zone around the springs themselves.

Safety & Health

The Forest Service’s warning for hot springs on this forest is blunt, and it applies here: the water in these springs and pools may be near or above the boiling temperature and can cause severe, possibly even fatal, burns — test the water temperature before you enter. Temperatures vary from pool to pool and season to season, so test every pool, every time.

Rattlesnakes live in this canyon — watch where you step and where you put your hands, especially in the sun on the exposed trail, and don’t count on cell signal: the Forest Service cautions that phones don’t work in most areas of this forest.

Etiquette, Rules & Leave No Trace

Goldbug Hot Springs is considered a true geothermal gem. While the pools reside on National Forest Land, the first quarter-mile of trail passes through private land with an easement purchased and held by the Bureau of Land Management. Due to an overwhelming amount of traffic to the pools, private lands are being negatively impacted. Remember to always keep dogs on leashes and reduce noise levels to a minimum.

Parking at the county managed trailhead is limited. Please be respectful of the surrounding landowners and avoid blocking driveways. Camping is not permitted at the trailhead. Overnight camping is prohibited within 500 feet of the hot springs.

— Message from the BLM. The 500-foot camping prohibition is also Forest Service law here: Forest Order 04-13-23-005 (36 CFR § 261.58(e)), in effect through March 30, 2028.

Pack out everything you pack in — trash, food scraps, all of it. Keep soap and shampoo out of the pools and the creek. Goldbug stays open and stays beautiful because its visitors act like stewards; be one of them.

Best Time to Visit

During the core of spring runoff, you might be hard-pressed to find a soaking pool that is warm enough – usually, there is one – that you just might have to search around a bit. The rest of the time is quite a different story – depending on the creek flow there can be anywhere between 2 to 10 soakable pools on each side of the creek. Accessible all year, keep in mind that the trail can be extremely difficult and treacherous in the winter. During the winter months, crampons are highly recommended.

Nearby Hot Springs

Also on Highway 93, north toward Salmon, is Sharkey Hot Springs, a smaller developed soak in the same corridor. More East-Central Idaho hot springs →

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the hike to Goldbug Hot Springs?

The hike to Goldbug Hot Springs is about 2 miles each way from the trailhead off Highway 93, south of Salmon and north of Challis. The final half-mile is the steepest section of the route, climbing to the rock-walled pools and hot waterfalls along the creek.

Is there a fee to visit Goldbug Hot Springs?

No. The BLM lists no fees for the site.

Can I camp at Goldbug Hot Springs?

Not within 500 feet of the springs — camping there is prohibited by Forest Order 04-13-23-005 through March 30, 2028, and there is no camping at the trailhead. Dispersed camping is allowed elsewhere on the Salmon-Challis National Forest under its general rules: free, with a 14-day limit, and no water or toilets provided.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes — but dogs must be leashed while crossing the private property on the first quarter-mile of trail. That stretch is a public-access easement, not public land.

Do I need a permit or reservation?

No. There is no reservation system or permit for Goldbug — it’s a free, first-come hike-in site with no Recreation.gov listing.

Can I drive to the springs?

No — access is hike-in only. You drive to the trailhead at the end of a county road 0.3 miles off Highway 93, south of Elk Bend, and hike from there.

How hot is the water?

No official temperature is published, and it varies by pool and season. The Forest Service warns that hot-springs water on this forest can be near boiling — test the water before you enter, every time.