Willow Creek Hot Springs
Open
Summer and fall; the forest road is typically snowbound from late fall into spring, and the Forest Service describes the Fairfield District springs as accessible in the summer.Open seasons
- Access
- Hike-in, just under 1 mile from a horse transfer camp on the Idaho Centennial Trail.
- Accommodations
- Good camping at the trailhead horse camp; Willow Creek Campground is roughly a mile down the road from the trailhead.
Willow Creek Hot Springs is a chain of algae- and silt-laden pools along Willow Creek and the Idaho Centennial Trail in the Sawtooth National Forest, just under a mile’s hike from a horse transfer camp northeast of Pine and Featherville, Idaho. It is also a comeback story: the area burned hard in a 2008 wildfire and the pools vanished for years — by June 2013 they were back, soaking a recovering, still-scorched landscape.
Red spider mites have been reported at this hot spring, so keep clothing and towels off the rocks and ground around the pools.
Pool Condition
Pools are dug out of a thermal stream fed by the source and dammed with mostly rocks and some logs; bottoms run muddy and silty, partly because use is light. Expect to clean and improve a pool on arrival. The surrounding burn area was recovering nicely at the last documented visit.
Seasonal Notes
Summer and fall. The forest road is typically snowbound from late fall into spring, and when it opens depends on snow level. The Forest Service describes the Fairfield District springs as accessible in the summer.
Camping
No truly great camp spots sit right near the springs (flat ground, but heavy deer and elk sign). Good camping is available at the trailhead horse camp, and Willow Creek Campground is roughly a mile down the road from the trailhead. The surrounding Sawtooth and Boise National Forests offer plenty of campgrounds and primitive sites.
Willow Creek Hot Springs Soak Stats
- Season: Summer, fall
- Access Type: Hike (just under 1 mile)
- Public Land: Sawtooth National Forest
- Elevation: 5,100 ft
- GPS: 43.637, -115.130
- Water Temperature: Varies
- Water Clarity: Varies
- Visibility: Low
- Odor(s): Slight
- pH: 6.5–7
- Nearest Towns: Pine / Featherville
- Wildlife: Deer, elk, moose, bats, toads (occasional red spider mites)
- Usage Level: Light
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Willow Creek Hot Springs?
A chain of algae- and silt-laden pools along Willow Creek and the Idaho Centennial Trail in the Sawtooth National Forest, dug out of a thermal stream and dammed with rocks and logs. Expect to clean and improve a pool on arrival.
How do you get there?
A hike of just under a mile from a horse transfer camp northeast of Pine and Featherville.
When is it accessible?
Summer and fall. The Forest Service describes the Fairfield District springs, including Willow Creek, as accessible in the summer; the forest road is typically snowbound from late fall into spring.
Can you camp?
There is good camping at the trailhead horse camp, and Willow Creek Campground is roughly a mile down the road from the trailhead, with more campgrounds and primitive sites in the surrounding national forests.
How hot is it?
Temperatures vary by pool.
Does it cost anything?
No fee is published for this undeveloped spring.
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