Beardsley Hot Springs
Beardsley Hot Springs, known locally as Challis Hot Springs, flows at 109 degrees Fahrenheit roadside in Custer County near Challis. Its neutral pH of 7.0 stands out among Idaho's typically alkaline thermal waters, and the spring has been developed into a commercial bathing facility.
The springs sit at 4,950 feet in the Salmon River valley, where dry sagebrush hills rise steeply above the river corridor. The town of Challis anchors this stretch of central Idaho, and the surrounding landscape is open and arid, receiving just 15.6 inches of rain annually. Views from the springs take in the rugged peaks of the Salmon River Mountains. The air is dry and carries the scent of sage in summer.
Challis Hot Springs operates as a commercial facility with maintained pools and seasonal hours. Check current admission fees and hours before visiting. The springs sit just 25 meters from the road, making access effortless. Challis offers full services including fuel, groceries, and dining. The area serves as a gateway to the Frank Church Wilderness and the Salmon River.
The neutral pH and mixed calcium-sodium chemistry distinguish these springs from the highly alkaline sodium-chloride waters common elsewhere in central Idaho. The balanced mineral content, 47 mg/L calcium, 150 mg/L sodium, and 130 mg/L sulfate, suggests the water interacts with diverse rock types during its underground journey. The Challis area sits within the Trans-Challis Fault Zone, a major structural corridor driving geothermal circulation across the region.
The water at Beardsley Hot Springs is neutral (pH 7.0).
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Beardsley 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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