Barney Hot Springs
Barney Hot Springs flows at 82 degrees Fahrenheit on BLM land along Pahsimeroi Road in Butte County, offering a mellow warm soak at 6,435 feet elevation in the sagebrush rangeland east of Arco. The spring sits just 1.6 meters from the road, essentially emerging from the roadside itself. Public access is open under federal management.
The Pahsimeroi Valley stretches long and narrow between the Lemhi and Lost River ranges, both exceeding 10,000 feet. The valley floor is classic high-desert ranching country: dry grass, sage, and scattered willows along creek bottoms. Annual precipitation reaches only 15 inches, most of it falling as snow. The spring seeps out at road level, its warm water contrasting with the cold air of a valley where winter nights routinely plunge well below zero.
The spring is literally roadside on Pahsimeroi Road, requiring no walking. BLM land with open public access means no permits needed. Meadow Lake Campground sits 21 miles away at 9,160 feet in the Lemhi Range and accepts reservations, though the elevation difference is substantial. The 82-degree water feels warm but not hot, suitable for cooling off after hiking rather than a true hot soak. Best visited May through October.
The Pahsimeroi Valley sits in a graben, a down-dropped block between parallel mountain-front faults. These deep fractures allow groundwater to circulate to significant depth, picking up modest heat before returning to the surface. Barney Hot Springs' calcium-magnesium chemistry with moderate sulfate suggests contact with sedimentary and metamorphic rocks rather than the granitic batholith that feeds hotter springs to the west.
The water at Barney Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.2).
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Overview Meadow Lake Campground is located on the Leadore Ranger District of the Salmon-Challis National Forest. This high alpine campground sits at an elevation of 9,160 feet in the Lemhi Mountain Range, 22 miles from Leadore, Idaho.Recreation There's no lack of recreational opportunities around Meadow Lake Campground. The lake is stocked twice a year so the fish are always biting. Fish from the bank or carry your boat down to the lake and try from the water, as there is no boat ramp or boat...
Barney Hot Springs sits at 6,435 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 26% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Barney Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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