Upper Loon Hot Springs
Open
The access road to the Loon Creek Trailhead is open only from July through October.Open seasons
- Access
- Hike-in, Loon Creek Trail (Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness).
- Accommodations
- A campsite by the main source fits 2–5 tents, with another near the Crescent Moon source.
Upper Loon Hot Springs is a complex of four separate hot spring sources strung along the Loon Creek Trail in the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness, passed in consecutive order as you trek up Loon Creek toward Warm Springs Creek. With everything from a two-person soaker to a 10–15 person pool fed by a hot waterfall, it’s one of the finest backpacking soaks in Idaho — reachable only in a short summer-to-fall window.
The Pools
All four sources have rock-walled pools with sand, gravel, and rock bottoms. Upper Loon #1 (“None Too Soon”) is a small two-seater at 101°F. Upper Loon #2 is a medium, four-person soaker whose main pool runs hot — 115–120°F, with a bucket on site for tempering; its other pools run too cool. Upper Loon #3 (“Crescent Moon”) is the glory: a 10–15 person pool fed by a hot waterfall, at 90–98°F depending on where you sit. Upper Loon #4 holds two stagnant, low-flow, algae-laden pools that are not suitable for soaking. Owen Cabin Hot Springs lies just beyond.
Seasonal Notes
The access road to the Loon Creek Trailhead is open only from July through October — the whole Loon Creek corridor, Upper Loon included, is a summer-to-fall trip.
Camping
A sweet campsite next to Upper Loon #2 sits beside an old cabin with a partially collapsed roof: room for 2–5 tents, a very nice fire pit with custom benches (one bench is supported by large gears from old mining equipment), and the hot springs a few paces away. Another semi-large site just beyond, near #3, is also nice but lacks shade.
Upper Loon Hot Springs Soak Stats
- Access Type: Backpack (Loon Creek Trail)
- Public Land: Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness (south half)
- Elevation: 5,400 ft
- GPS: 44.645, -114.739
- Water Temperature: Varies by pool — #1: 101°F; #2: 115–120°F; #3: 90–98°F; #4: not soakable
- Water Clarity: #1 semi-clear; #2 semi-clear; #3 clear; #4 murky
- Visibility: Low
- Odor(s): Slight
- Nearest Area: 7–8 miles north of Loon Creek Airstrip
- Wildlife: Many snakes, black bear, deer, elk, moose; mountain lion sign
- Usage Level: Seasonally moderate
Frequently Asked Questions
How many springs are there at Upper Loon?
Four separate sources along the Loon Creek Trail: the main pool runs 115–120 °F, Crescent Moon runs 90–98 °F, None Too Soon is about 101 °F, and a fourth source is two stagnant pools that are not soakable.
How do you get there?
Hike the Loon Creek Trail in the Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness. The access road to the trailhead is open only from July through October.
How hot is the main pool?
115–120 °F. A bucket is provided for tempering with cooler water.
Can you camp?
Yes. A campsite by the main source fits 2–5 tents, and there is another campsite near the Crescent Moon source.
Does it cost anything?
No fee is published for this undeveloped wilderness spring.
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