# Barth Hot Springs, Idaho

Barth Hot Springs in Idaho. 140°F (60°C). Backcountry · Public Land. Ravalli County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/barth-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Barth Hot Springs?

Yes. Barth Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools. You pay for parking or a permit. It's open Jun–Sep. It sits deep in the backcountry.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 140°F (60°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 2,640 ft |
| Access | Backcountry · Public Land, 10.2 mi from the nearest road (Magruder Road) |
| Land | Payette National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Ravalli County |
| Nearest town | Hamilton |
| Coordinates | 45.51200, -115.04600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | HORSE HEAVEN CABIN, 10.7 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Parking or permit fee. Main Salmon river permit (Recreation.gov lottery) needed to reach it |
| Season | Jun–Sep |
| Reservations | Required |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | raft trip on Main Salmon then short hike; not a day trip |
| Operator | Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness (agency not named) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/barth-hot-springs-idaho

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 140°F, the source water at Barth Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Barth Hot Springs

Ten miles from any road, Barth Hot Springs sits deep in the Payette National Forest, Idaho, a backcountry hot spring. The record lists the county as Ravalli and Hamilton as the nearest town. Source water runs at the top of the hot range, hot enough to scald. Open to the public on Forest Service land.

Around twenty-six hundred feet. Magruder Road is the jumping-off point, ten miles back, and it is the only road the record names. The climate on file is mild on average, around fifty, yet winter still dumps eleven feet of snow. Horse Heaven Cabin, a Forest Service rental, is the camping the record points to, nearly eleven miles off.

This is a multi-day trip. Ten miles each way from Magruder Road, backcountry class, no road closer. Source water is at the edge of scalding, so test before entering anything. The winter months get the nod as best on record, which does not square with the snow total; use judgment. No fee on file.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Grangeville](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/grangeville), 47 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Red River Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/red-river-hot-springs): 131°F source, pH 9.4, TDS 274 mg/L, Roadside, near Grangeville, Idaho County, developed pools, pools 95°F, day pass, year-round
- [Running Warm Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/running-warm-springs): 106°F source, pH 9.7, Short Walk, near Hamilton, Ravalli County
- [Horse Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/horse-creek-hot-springs): 109°F source, pH 6.4, Roadside, near Salmon, Lemhi County, primitive pools
- [Owl Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/owl-creek-hot-springs): 122°F source, pH 8.4, Hike, near Salmon, Lemhi County, private, no public access
- [Marten Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/marten-hot-springs): Hot, Backcountry, near Hamilton, Ravalli County
- [Blue Joint Hot Spring 1, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/blue-joint-hot-spring-1): 84°F source, Short Walk, near Hamilton, Ravalli County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Barth Hot Springs?**
Barth Hot Springs has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Barth Hot Springs located?**
Barth Hot Springs is located in Ravalli County, Idaho at 2,640 feet elevation, near Hamilton. Coordinates: 45.5120°N, 115.0460°W.

**How do I get to Barth Hot Springs?**
Barth Hot Springs has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Magruder Road (10.2 mi from the road).

**Is Barth Hot Springs free to visit?**
Barth Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Barth Hot Springs?**
Yes, Horse Heaven Cabin is located nearby (10.7 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Barth Hot Springs?**
With care. At 140°F Barth Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals