Gold Fork Hot Springs

Gold Fork Hot Springs is a commercial hot springs in the woods above the Gold Fork River near Donnelly, Idaho, about 15 minutes from Cascade and 90 minutes from Boise. Six terraced pools step down the hillside, fed by 100% natural mineral water with an alkaline pH of +9. The water is known for its smooth, slick feel; lithium is its most prominent mineral, followed by potassium, calcium, sodium, fluoride, chloride, arsenic and boron. All six pools flow through completely in about four hours.

The setting is deliberately natural. The decking and walkways are untreated wood, geothermally heated in places, and the pools are monitored by staff who keep the atmosphere quiet and family friendly. One pool has a soft white sand bottom, a favorite with kids. Gold Fork is open year-round, including all holidays, and the road in is maintained and plowed all winter.

Soak Stats

Place Information

The Pools

The six pools are terraced so the water spills from one level to the next, cooling as it goes. The top pool is the hottest, at about 110 °F per Visit McCall, and each pool below runs a little cooler, ending in a cool pool for contrast soaking. One pool is floored with soft white sand brought in from Emmett, shallow and gentle enough for small children. Several pools have hydromassage jets. Umbrella-shaded picnic tables line the decks between the pools.

Fees, Hours and Rules

Admission is $15 per person for everyone age one and up, including anyone who is not soaking. Gold Fork is cash only and does not accept credit or debit cards. Stays are capped at two hours. Swimsuit and towel rentals are available, along with hats, shirts and sunscreen in the small shop.

Winter hours run from October 1: Wednesday through Monday, noon to 8 p.m., closed Tuesdays, with no entry after 7:30 p.m. Summer hours are also noon to 8 p.m. Two age rules matter for families: Thursdays are for guests 18 and older only, and on other days children under 13 must leave by 4 p.m. Hours and rules per the operator.

Hours are subject to change in severe weather (wind, lightning, blizzards), and on holidays and weekends the springs may stop admitting guests early when volume reaches capacity. No alcohol or tobacco is allowed.

Facilities

Changing rooms and restrooms are on site, with accessible parking and restrooms. There are no overnight accommodations, no RV hook-ups and no overnight parking. National Forest camping is nearby, and Donnelly, Cascade and McCall all have hotels and motels.

Getting There

From Donnelly (north) or Cascade (south), take Highway 55 to mile marker 128 and turn east on Plant Road at the Gold Fork sign. Follow the blue Gold Fork signs for 6.6 miles: the first 2.6 miles are paved, the rest is a graded dirt road that is maintained and plowed the entire year.

Nearby Hot Springs

Make it a soaking weekend: Burgdorf Hot Springs offers rustic cabin soaking north of McCall, Zim’s Hot Springs in New Meadows is another easy drive-up soak, and Trail Creek Hot Springs near Cascade is the primitive option in the same hills. More West-Central Idaho hot springs.