Sacajawea Hot Springs

Sacajawea Hot Springs is a seasonal batch of rock-walled pools on the banks of the South Fork of the Payette River, north of Lowman, Idaho, near the Sawtooth Lodge and the Grandjean trailhead into the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. Well known and easy to reach in the warm months, it is a soak that depends entirely on the river: the cold water is what keeps the pool temperatures in the usable range.

Description

Over the years visitors have built a variety of rock-walled pools here with river rock, sand, and gravel bottoms. The catch is the mix — your soak depends on cold river water tempering the hot inflow, so be ready to keep stirring the pool to disperse the frequent blasts of hot and cold, and to find a pool sitting level with the river. Depending on the river level there may or may not be a good soak waiting, but the view is beautiful either way. This is a social spring: expect to see and interact with people.

Seasonal Notes

All of the pools submerge during spring runoff. The seasonal Forest Service Road closes in winter, when access is by snowmobile, ski, or snowshoe only.

Camping

There is no camping at the springs themselves. Along NFS Road 524, camping is allowed only at marked sites under a Boise National Forest order, and Grandjean Campground is closed through December 31, 2026.

Sacajawea Hot Springs Soak Stats

• Season: Summer, fall
• Access Type: Roadside
• Public Land: Boise National Forest
• Elevation: 5,600 ft
• GPS: 44.160, -115.177
• Water Temperature: Varies (river-tempered)
• Water Clarity: Crystal-clear
• Visibility: High
• Odor(s): Slight sulfur
• Nearest Area: Grandjean / Sawtooth Lodge, north of Lowman
• Wildlife: Bull trout, deer, elk
• Usage Level: Moderate