Plants and animals near Goldbug Hot Spring are what you would expect to see in the high desert. Watch for snakes during the warmer months; this area has many rattlesnakes and other kinds of snakes - the elevation and temperatures are just right. The last 1/2 miles or so is very steep so be prepared, but it shouldn't be too hard for anyone. read more, Drove to Goldbug from Sawtooth (~1.5h drive) before sunrise. The 1st quarter mile of the hike is on private property, and there are no camping sites at or near the trailhead aside from a BLM recreation site a few miles down the highway. We originally had considered doing some boondocking while in the area to save some more money, but decided that the lake was just too good and went ahead and paid for five nights.
The domineering peak is seen from US-93 just waiting to be climbed.
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your
Gotta get that 15 megabytes of fame. You will be greeted by a mossy, waterfall covered oasis cave included. It's steepest at the beginning with switchbacks and the end climbing up to the springs. A chain of 6 or so waterfall-fed pools is the reward for intrepid soak seekers willing to endure a grueling 2-mile hike up shade deprived switchbacks. On the way back through the Sun Valley area we also finally got to meet up with some fellow DIY fulltime traveler Instagram friends of ours, Matt and Amanda and their doodle puppy Royal, from Van Project.
A 2.5 mile hike with some moderately steep but well groomed uphill sections will get you to the springs. Two miles may not seem like much, but you will have to work to reach Goldbug. There are a number of different waterfalls, some are hot and some are cold.
the time is quite a different story depending This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. [7] Hikers will experience 1,350 feet (410m) in elevation gain along the 2 miles (3.2km) hike. - BLM Goldbug is well-known, and is used by many different types of soakers. This turns into a short dirt road (heading east) with a trailhead at the end; wooden fences and a restroom will assure that you're in the correct location. While technically not in the Sawtooth National Forest, it is surrounded by it on three sides. The farther you trek from the top pool, the cooler the water becomes. This hot spring was unreal. They are all fairly close together, so dont bother unless you dont mind close company because there will be company. The norm here is to pick up your trash and leave as little trace as possible. There are many hot pools on both sides of the bridge at top though, so room for lots of people. Follow the marked trail 2 miles mostly up to reach the series of geothermal bliss.
Expect a mostly non-swimsuit wearing crowd (signed as clothing optional area) that are polite and friendly.
Spring runoff. 
During hot temps this hike is rough bring plenty of water or a water filter. Depending on snow levels, crampons are highly recommended. While the pools reside on National Forest Land, the first quarter mile of trail passes through private land with an easement purchased and held by the Bureau of Land Management. Many people at top soaking just before dark, who hiked down after dark. The view from all the pools is fantastic. They were awesome, and hopefully next time we cross paths well get to hang out a little longer.
The Bighorn Crags are a fantastic grouping of granite peaks and alpine lakes in central Idaho. In other news, since our last update we had a nice feature on Inhabitat. On our last day in the area we met Derek and the gang for lunch since they had come up for the day, and then headed back to their place to drop off the Jeep and then started making our way Boise, which is where we are now. From town, turn onto 75 N until you reach S nture seekers, or those just looking for a relaxing getaway.
There are also stepped camping sites above the hot springs near the 4th bridge on the north and south sides of the creek. A mini work out, fantastic soak in the hot springs and the best views ever! Reaching the Goldbug Hot Springs trailhead is pretty straightforward.
There are cactus. The next morning our pals, Derek, Danielle, and Remi and their dog Sky drove out to meet us and to drop of Jeep Grand Cherokee for us to borrow while we were in the area. It is almost like it was man made it is so perfect. creek.
Signage warned that the 1st quarter mile of the 3 mile trail crossed private land, and beyond were primitive camps and a bio-toilet near trail mile 2. About 3 miles up, the road crosses a canal. Hike up took about 1.5 hours and down maybe an hour.Real Hot Springs. It was about a two mile hike up into the mountains to get to the spring, which we decided to do during the heat of the day with our big ol camping backpacks loaded down with supplies. We went early in the morning, and clothing was optional. This excursion can be very muddy during the spring thaw, very hot in the summer, perfect in autumn, and much more difficult in the winter when the snow begins to pile up perhaps equip yourself with snowshoes. Don't miss it. Water from Goldbug Hot Springs flows into Warm Springs Creek, which flows into the Salmon River. In case you missed it, here is the link:https://inhabitat.com/couple-convert-a-20-year-old-bus-into-a-solar-powered-tiny-home-on-wheels/. on the creek flow there can be anywhere between If you are bringing your tripod to do some long exposure work, please be careful since the ground It's an ideal destination for family travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, adventure seekers, or those just looking for a relaxing getaway. While most of the path is through a desert landscape filled with sagebrush there are brief cool areas of relief near the creek among the junipers. Expet company. In central Idaho sits a magical land that goes by the name of the Sawtooth National Forest. We had been told to visit this spring weeks before by the owner of the RV park we stayed at outside of Capitol Reef in Utah, and had this suggestion reaffirmed by several others along the way. The temps also slightly fluctuate throughout the year. might have to search around a bit. It was about 20 degrees outside when we went and the pool I chose was the second highest one (as the top pool was occupied) The water was a comfortable 103ish degrees by my estimate. On our fourth day at the lake we took the boat shuttle across the lake in the morning to do the 11.6 mile, 1,800 foot roundtrip hike up to Alpine Lake. The hike isn't bad. Just be careful around him. This is well worth the hike. The trail is maintained with sturdy bridges, and there are sections where hikers will be climbing steps. On the second day we joined them for a 8 mile, 2500 foot round trip hike up to pioneer cabin. There was also a small "cave" down below the main pools that allowed you to climb under the waterfalls. Keep in mind, camping isn't permitted within 500 feet of the hot springs. According to Idaho Hot Springs: "In a remote part of the state, nestled in rugged backcountry between the small towns of Salmon and Challis, is Idaho's most majestic high desert hot springs. It is not unusual to see snakes in the area, including venomous rattlesnakes. You should also check out their Instagram. Just after you cross the canal turn left on the faint Mt. There is a bio-toilet about 1.5 to 2 miles in, near one of the shaded primitive sites. Make sure you watch your feet as I'm assuming you'll be wearing Chacos or some type of sandal. At this point, be sure to look over to your left and break through the trees. Rating: A+, View Goldbug Hot Springs Complete Listing, Hey Hotsprings Guy. There are several pools that differ in temperatures and sizes. Having an extra vehicle really changed the dynamic of how we spent our days, and may have spoiled us a bit. There is a large pool at the very top of the cliff that is fed by a creek. The hike lies just outside of rural Salmon, Idaho down steep a 2 mile trail which does well to ween out the crowds a bit. While most of the path is through a desert landscape filled with sagebrush there are brief cool areas of relief near the creek among the junipers. With an elevation gain of 3,500 ft, t Set against the beautiful backdrop of Sawtooth Wildwerness, there are endless opportunities and spots to cast off. So, this was our first time with an extra vehicle since hitting the road and it was glorious. Overnight campers will enjoy almost zero light pollution. This first 1/4 mile is on private land. However, while we were there, there were a couple nude bathers. There are also some rocky fire rings scattered throughout the area. The area is almost a secret because of the time it takes just to get to the trailhead. Once you pass through the gate you will have entered the national forest. I drank a ton of water The last .5 mile to the springs proved to be the most difficult, after the 3rd bridge crossing. I probably would not take children here, unless they're comfortable with nudity. Please explore responsibly! The trail gets very steep very fast. The hike is easy and isn't long. The view is unrivaled while soaking in your 'victory' pool looking over the valley that you just conquered all the way up. Be the first to add a review to the Goldbug Hot Springs. Along the trail, however, there are numerous primitive campgrounds. I took it all in, the hot waterfall massage, stretching out in one of the coves and watching a diamondback curl around the inside of a cracked stump above a thermal vent. It is pretty exposed for a good portion of the hike, so just bring some water to not overheat. Once you breakaway from this magical sight, you'll push yourself up the last leg of steps and cross a small wooden bridge. For all of the Redfish Lake photos, this is where you click. But the view and the atmosphere was totally worth it all. be hard-pressed to find a soaking pool that is 4 miles round trip is about right (GPS said 3.6 total).
To my surprise, Heather was able to snag an excellent spot at the first campground on our list. If you are in relatively good shape, this is but a mere hike that may raise your heart rate a little. It's very easy to find. After getting dressed and starting my walk back, I saw that I had somehow missed the most beautiful pools, including one just at the top of the stairs that had a gorgeous waterfalls going into it!!!! Still, the pool I was in was fine and had a little falls to put my feet in. There is a very simple composting toilet off to your left in the desert territory if you find the need to use it while hiking up. Initially, we soaked with another local that had been coming to the springs for at least 20 years. Well worth the trip. The water continues down from that into another pool. This is a trail listed as "moderate" on AllTrails.com. It begins on the side of a hill and then drops down to land that mimics a desert cactuses equipped. Photography wise, this is a great location. If we wanted to go 15 miles up the pass to look for firewood or go back into town to our friends house for some cocktails and conversation, we could, and did. Further exploration lead to the discovery of the additional pools, although only 1 grouping was hot enough for soaking due to runoff. Remember to always keep dogs on leashes and reduce noise levels to a minimum. This adventure is perfect for a group of friends to spend a handful of hours or the night within nature. This part was a bit difficult for me but, again, it is worth it! There will be a number of cattle gates to go through. Theres no cell service at the lake, so we had a plan in place where I would check a couple of the campgrounds when I got there in the bus to see if Heather was able to find anything, and if I didnt see them I would meet them at the lodge. Across from the toilet, there are a few dispersed, primitive campsites. However, this hot springs is well cared for. Looking down from the top pool of Goldbug Hot Springs. Go early (a sun rise hike would be beautiful), as would a dusk hike and sunset hike (also popular, but be careful hiking back in the dark.
adventures and follow local regulations. warm enough usually, there is one - you just You are in nature and it is secluded. Little known fact: You can get the Best Maps Ever from our friends that live there on their website:bestmapsever.com. The spring is along Warm Spring Creek and there are about six waterfall-fed pools. I was one of those huffing and puffing a bit on the hike up (hey, I've lived at sea level my whole life lol) but it was phenomenal. Tall tales, trip guides, & the world's weird & wonderful. Also, there are plenty of small areas that you can leave your backpack and not worry too much about someone running off with it. Once you have reached the wooden box steps, take a breath, enjoy the view, and know you are almost to your destination. The section of the Salmon River between Corn Creek and Carey Creek, known as the "Main" among boaters, flows through the second deepest canyon on the continent (only Hells Canyon is deeper).
Valley Creek, a tributary of the famous Salmon River, snakes its way through the land just outside of the town of Stanley. I think if there weren't a 3 mile hike in this place would be packed all the time. Speaking of changing how we operate, knowing some fantastic folks in the town we were staying in also made a huge difference. [11] Jackrabbits, badgers and other small game are fairly common.[1]. However, there was only an inch or so and it was lovely. We will have to see how we fare over the next couple weeks without one to see if there are any long-lasting effects. Please be respectful of the surrounding landowners and avoid blocking driveways. Drove to Goldbug from Sawtooth (~1.5h drive) before sunrise. I did it with tendonitis in both knees and made it, but I used KT tape, knee braces, and took anti-inflammatory meds. Several pools await the adventurous soak seeker.
The rock-walled pools are filled with sandy and rocky bottoms. There are no outhouses or anything up there, of course, so if you are wanting to change into dry clothing after you may need to dodge behind some rocks or a tree. Dipping in a finger or toe is always a good idea before sticking a leg in. South of Salmon and north of Challis near mile marker 282 on Highway 93, take a dirt road east a short distance to trailhead parking. It's not often you encounter swimsuits given the remoteness of the area, but it might be a good idea to keep one handy just in case. I did it with tendonitis in both knees and made it, but I used KT tape, knee braces, and took anti-inflammatory meds. I drove the bus up, while Heather and Miles went ahead in the Jeep to see if they could score a campsite at the fiercely contested Redfish Lake campgrounds. There were wooden stairs built in but for good reason. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Along the way were endless views of the formidable Sawtooth Mountains, and at the top was the crystal clear and insanely beautiful Alpine Lake. Just before the 4th bridge we were greeted by the 1st pool *sigh* we were here. This may sound counterintuitive, but the next day we packed up the Jeep with our camping gear and headed another hundred miles into the wilderness to camp at Goldbug Hot Springs for the night. 2022 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. I wore hiking boots and had a walking stick; which was helpful. Depending on how the waterfalls flow down into the pools determine the temperature of the pools, some hotter, some colder. McCaleb's beautiful south face towers over the little town of Mackay, Idaho. We left our excellent spot in Sun Valley on our fifth day and made our way an hour and a half north into the heart of the Sawtooth National Forest, landing at Redfish Lake. If it bothers you politely ask them to cover up but don't get mad if they don't. After you pass through the flat land, it'll begin to become overtaken with trees and the elevation will begin to gain. When we went, there were close to 12-15 pools but it was packed with people. Goldbug Pool Condition
The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. However, this hot springs is well cared for. There are plenty of pools to choose from, depending upon the weather that year. It is truly a special place. We camped above springs and went for morning soak around 7:15 a.m. The rest of the time is quite a different story depending on the creek flow there can be anywhere between 2 to 10 soakable pools on each side of the creek. River Rafting & Tubing, Fishing Charters & Tours, Sightseeing Tours.
They love us. The norm here is to pick up your trash and leave as little trace as possible. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. Season: All (campground closed during winter), Restrictions: Pools submerge during Check the weather and prepare appropriately for conditions. The man who lives here is often waiting outside his home to jump in front of your car and say a few choice words about how fast you are driving I even if you are going the speed limit. It is not unusual to find visitors skinny dipping. Drove up through Stanley and got worried that there would be too much snow! Goldbug Hot Springs is considered a true geothermal gem. The springs are incredible!
The norm here is to pick up your trash and leave as little trace as possible. This was our longest and most beautiful hike to date.
It's a part of the Lost River Range, which boasts seven of Idaho's nine 12K-foot peaks; at 11,682 feet tall, McCaleb is Idaho's 34th highest peak.The west ridge approach is a four mile round trip, class 3 hike. I was quite relieved myself. Due to an overwhelming amount of traffic to the pools, private lands are being negatively impacted. Due to the hike and remoteness of the trailhead, it is not usually crowded.[5]. Our tour video is also performing well, with almost 10k views at the time of writing this. Bring your camera, the landscape is breathtaking. There are also homes along the dirt road and trailhead don't let that deter you. If you look up at the mountain range from here, you'll see a "V" shape cut into the ridge. Goldbug Hot Springs is a hot spring located in the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 20 miles south of Salmon, Idaho. This hike really wasn't that difficult. Pool temperatures vary depending on the time of year from chilly to toasty.
However, this hot springs is well cared for. They are all fairly close together, so don't bother unless you don't mind close company - because there will be company.
I am not from the hikers. There are so many good pictures, just go look at them.
I got to a bridge and figured the pools must be higher, but there just seemed to be campsites up there. Spending the night there allows you to indulge in the utter bliss of soaking in hot water on a brisk night as the sky is taken over by billions of stars. The hike to Goldbug Hot Springs was exactly like written up. I've heard there are some nudists so keep that in mind if you are bringing younger eyes or something. Anything you plan or save automagically syncs with the apps, ready for you to hit the road! We left the trailhead a couple hours prior to sunset. Sand and rock bottomed pools that are rock-walled and are fed by various sources, some in the form of hot waterfalls." As other reviewers mentioned, the last 1/4 mile is the worst. The first mile and a half of the hike is very easy with a slight uphill rise to the trail. There are intermittent douglas fir and lodgepole pine trees along the riparian zone and in the higher elevations of the trail. Fun hike that has great spots to soak in the hot springs at the top! For all of the Sun Valley photos, just click right here. If we wanted to run into town for say, a cup of coffee, or a scoop of ice cream, without worrying about packing up or losing our tremendous spot, we could, and did. But for city folk like me the place was a gem. As other reviewers mentioned, the last 1/4 mile is the worst. There were two main bigger pools across the little wooden foot bridge then I noticed a few hotter mini pools you could probably stand in on the trail side of the stream. Dipping in a finger or toe is always a good idea before sticking a leg in.
The hot springs will then engulf your sight. [1] The pools have a sand/gravel bottom and are dammed by boulders. Theyve been doing this a lot longer than us had some great tips and advice for life on the road.
In the desert-type area, you will find a composting toilet if the urge arises. We were also featured on several other sites and have a couple more in the works now. You can check out my blog if you ever get around to it.
Overnight camping is prohibited within 500 feet of the hot springs. This was an awesome stop while we were waiting poor weather at the summit of Borah Peak! There were already two different parties in pools by then, and we counted 26 people going up as we descended mid-morning. More about that later. We were flanked by 2,000 foot mountains on each side with the Trail Creek running briskly by down a 30 foot hill just behind the bus. There is a good chance that you may make a few friends while soaking as well. 2 to 10 soakable pools on each side of the That is one reason to go though. The pools are essentially located right at the point of the "V" use that as motivation.
We spent about two weeks in the area and easily could have spent two months more. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In a remote part of the state, nestled in rugged backcountry between the small towns of Salmon and Challis, is Idaho's most majestic high desert hot springs. Summertime temperatures can get extremely hot, and it is suggested that hikers bring extra water and sunblock with them.[1]. You get a taste of the landscape in front and the open sky above so there is a lot to work with. It's not often you encounter swimsuits given the remoteness of the area, but it might be a good idea to keep one handy just in case. Parking at the county managed trailhead is limited. It is located South of Salmon, Idaho and north of Challis, Idaho. If you get hot a quick dip in the stream can fix that! It was worth it, although it took me about 1 hour each way. Idaho They are also the crown jewel of the huge Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, which is the largest contiguous wilderness in the lower 48. I don't know how I missed allof those!!!! This remains as one of my favorite locations to visit. The view from all of the springs is stunning. Sun protection, extra water and food are a must, especially during warmer months. During the core of spring runoff you might be hard pressed to find a soaking pool that is warm enough usually theres one you just might have to search around a bit. There's a small, hot pool(5 people, bellybutton deep), a large, warm pool with a hot section where the spring leaves the rocks (10+ people, chi est to shoulder deep) and several scattered seasonal pools. If you would like to keep feeling this way, subscribe to our email updates and we will let you know when we make new posts for your vicarious pleasures. The last .5 miles (0.80km) of the hike is the steepest, and the trail continues beyond the hot spring itself. But as a general rule don't bring anything that you don't want to lose. He was friendly, polite and truly respected this special place. Our closest neighbor was at least a couple hundred yards away. Big game, such as Mule deer can be seen occasionally, along with rare black bears. Sun protection, extra water and food are a must especially during warmer months. It is encouraging to encounter a hot springs where the majority of visitors are stewards. Talk about scenic and tough on ol Nick. Goldbug Hot Springs Idaho's Most Beautiful Hot Spring.
When we first got to town we made our way straight to the first dispersed area that we hoped to find a spot in right outside of town on Trail Creek Rd. This is a site that used to be a local's secret.
I soaked in a Luke warm pool just under the bridge. The hike is not hard and the landscape will keep you distracted while walking. Goldbug is truly an amazing hotsprings. "Goldbug Hot Springs in Idaho (Elk Bend Hot Springs)", "Goldbug Hot Springs - Missoula Independent", "Goldbug Hot Springs - Bureau of Land Management", "Getting into hot water while hiking - Post Register", "Climatography of the United States NO.81", National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Goldbug_Hot_Springs&oldid=1069480958, Tourist attractions in Lemhi County, Idaho, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 2 February 2022, at 14:50. I have only ever been to super commercialized hot springs but nothing like this so you can imagine that this was utterly breathtaking. It's near mile marker 282 on Highway 93 Camping is not permitted at the trailhead. This is a trail listed as "moderate" on AllTrails.com. Sounds like we have a lot in common. Additionally, there's several campsites near the bottom, two with an immense amount of shade. Accessible all year. At one point I was enjoying the waterfall and thinking about the rattlesnake as a twig came down the falls and hit my shoulder I launched myself out into the pool and received some quirky looks, then giggles once it was divulged that I had thought a snake slid down the water slide. When we got back to the lodge six hours later, the mid-summer Saturday afternoon crowd was in full effect. There are several campgrounds on the lake and a popular lodge with cabins, a couple restaurants, a bar and a marina with all sorts of watersports activities. The strongest earthquake in Idaho occurred along the fault line in 1983 and rose the peak of Mt. The views are amazing and the water is so relaxing. Camping is not permitted at the trailhead.
