Wild Rose (Milford Sweat) Hot Springs

Wild Rose Hot Springs — better known to many Idaho soakers as Milford Sweat (and filed in the old listings as Milford Sweet) — is a black lava rock pool near Carey, Idaho. Land status for this spring could not be confirmed from official sources; the fullest secondary account describes private land owned by the Milford Sweat family, who permit public access, so treat access as a courtesy and visit respectfully. The pool itself is a good size and the water runs clear, but the old listing is blunt about the downside: this heavily used roadside soak has a severe, long-documented trash problem.

Pool Condition

A black lava rock pool with a gravel bottom, about 12 feet across and roughly 4 feet deep. The water is clear with no odor noticed, at 95–98°F — on the cool side for soaking. Documented visits found extreme trash, including broken glass, so watch your feet and pack out more than you pack in.

Seasonal Notes

Accessible all year.

Camping

There is no reliable camping at the springs, and property lines around the springs are unclear. The best camping is about 10 miles away at Craters of the Moon National Park.

Wild Rose Hot Springs Soak Stats

• Access Type: Roadside
• Public Land: Not verified
• Elevation: 5,000 ft
• GPS: 43.363, -113.779
• Water Temperature: 95–98°F
• Water Clarity: Clear
• Visibility: Low (state highway is close, but the pools aren’t visible from it)
• Odor(s): None noticed
• Nearest Town: Carey
• Wildlife: Mule deer
• Usage Level: Heavy-extreme