Rocky Canyon Hot Springs
Open
Road access is snow-covered until about late April or mid-May. Best after spring runoff.Open seasons
- Access
- Tiered, user-built pools on the far bank of the Middle Fork of the Payette River, north of Crouch in the Boise National Forest, reached by a cold ford of the river.
- Accommodations
- No camping at the pools. Hardscrabble Campground is about 1.5 miles away, and other Forest Service campgrounds and primitive sites line Middle Fork Road.
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs is a series of tiered, user-built pools on the far bank of the Middle Fork of the Payette River, north of Crouch in the Boise National Forest. Hot water is channeled down the hillside into rock pools above the river — reaching them requires a cold ford of the river itself, which keeps this soak feeling earned.
Red spider mites have been reported at this hot spring, so keep clothing and towels off the rocks and ground around the pools.
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Pictures
The pools are composed of rocks, sand, and logs. Year-round, one or two small soakable pools can usually be found far above the waterline, and late in the season a couple more tend to pop up as visitors build additional pools while the river level recedes. The Forest Service road that provides access is snow-covered all winter until approximately late April or mid-May, and spring runoff makes for a tricky river ford early in the season — cross carefully, or better yet, wait until after runoff. During summer this is ORV country, with heavy dirt and dust traffic on the road. Deer, elk, and moose are all sighted in the canyon. Because there is no camping at the pools themselves; Hardscrabble Campground is about 1.5 miles away, Rocky Canyon works best as a day soak paired with a campsite elsewhere in the area. The tiered layout means temperatures vary from pool to pool, so it pays to test each one before settling in. Other soaks on the Middle Fork of the Payette include Boiling Springs Hot Springs and Fire Crew Hot Springs.
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs Soak Stats
- Season: Late spring through fall (best after spring runoff)
- Access Type: Forest Service road plus a river ford
- Public Land: Boise National Forest
- Elevation: 3,440 ft
- GPS: 44.253, -115.891
- Water Temperature: Varies per pool
- Nearest Town: Crouch
- Wildlife: Deer, elk, moose
- Camping: Primitive and official campgrounds are plentiful in the area, but there is no camping at the pools themselves; Hardscrabble Campground is about 1.5 miles away
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reach Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
The tiered pools sit on the far bank of the Middle Fork of the Payette, reached by a cold ford of the river. The access road is snow-covered until about late April or mid-May, and spring runoff makes the ford tricky early in the season.
When is Rocky Canyon Hot Springs soakable?
Late spring through fall is the season, best after spring runoff. One or two small pools can usually be found above the waterline, and visitors build more later in the season.
Can I camp at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
There is no camping at the pools. Hardscrabble Campground is about 1.5 miles away, and other Forest Service campgrounds and primitive sites line Middle Fork Road.
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