Slate Creek Hot Springs (Hoodoo)

Slate Creek Hot Springs — also known as Hoodoo Hot Springs — is a sunken wooden soaking box at the old Hoodoo Mines site in the White Cloud Mountains, in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area northeast of Stanley, Idaho. A short hike at the end of a bumpy, unpaved forest road (FSR 666) reaches one of the most characterful soaks in the Stanley area: a plumbed, drainable wooden box fed by a mine-shaft source.

The Pool

A rebar-reinforced, six-person sunken wooden box, about 6 × 6 feet and 3 feet deep, with seating, hot and cold water plumbing, and a drain plug. Two additional natural pools sit nearby (three soaking options in all). The box takes time to fill and temper — plan on about 30 minutes to dial it in — and the etiquette matters: pull the plug and drain the pool when you leave, and move the hot-water pipes out of the box, because keeping the wood water-logged weakens the structure. Hot seeps steam throughout the old mine site, where abandoned out-buildings and shafts stand within sight of the pool.

Seasonal Notes

Rated for all seasons, with asterisks. Spring runoff has demolished structures at the springs time and time again, and the road takes the same water — drive carefully in spring. In winter, locals try to keep the road plowed, but 10 inches of snow can drop in a few hours at this elevation. Harsh summer storms can turn the road into a muck pot and have washed it away entirely, stranding visitors until rescue.

Camping

Plenty of primitive sites along the forest road and many primitive and official campgrounds along Highway 75. A small site next to the parking area/trailhead exists — don’t camp there unless you’re ready for round-the-clock visitors.

Slate Creek Hot Springs Soak Stats

• Season: All (road conditions permitting)
• Access Type: Hike (short) + unpaved forest road
• Public Land: Sawtooth National Recreation Area (White Cloud Mountains)
• Elevation: 7,040 ft
• GPS: 44.171, -114.624
• Water Temperature: Adjustable (plumbed hot/cold)
• Water Clarity: Clear
• Visibility: Moderate
• Odor(s): Heavy sulfur
• Nearest Town: Stanley
• Wildlife: Deer
• Caution: Bug levels have been rated extreme on past visits
• Usage Level: Heavy