# Cronks Canyon Hot Spring, Idaho

Cronks Canyon Hot Spring in Idaho. 115°F (46°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Custer County.

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

## Can you soak at Cronks Canyon Hot Spring?

Yes. Cronks Canyon Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 115°F (46°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.9 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 4,740 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 345 ft from the nearest road (Salmon River Scenic Byway) |
| Land | Challis Field Office, Bureau of Land Management |
| County | Custer County |
| Nearest town | Challis |
| Coordinates | 44.72000, -114.01600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Iron Lake Campground, 15.5 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Getting there | riverside pool below US-93 in Cronks Canyon, short walk |
| Operator | Bureau of Land Management |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://cycleblaze.com/journals/idahooregon2008/day-8-to-elk-bend, https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/missoulatotwinfalls/day-13-elk-bend-to-challis

## About Cronks Canyon Hot Spring

Cronks Canyon Hot Spring sits beside the Salmon River Scenic Byway in Custer County, about 18 miles from Challis, on BLM land managed by the Challis Field Office. The water surfaces at 115, right at the line between hot and soaking warm. Access is open. The record includes a picture. Nothing on file says what the soaking arrangement looks like or whether there is one.

A short walk of about 350 feet from the byway. The elevation is moderate and the climate dry with warm summers; snow totals run around five feet a winter, lighter than the forests further west. Iron Lake Campground, the closest listed, is about 15 miles off.

Midwinter carries the best-months tag. Five feet of snow along a highway corridor is usually manageable, though the byway itself is the thing to check in a storm. Water at 115 is soakable for most people with a little care. A 1980 sample put the water near neutral.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1980-08-05 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.9 |
| Calcium | 9.4 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 160 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 59 mg/L |
| Chloride | 26 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 51 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Goldbug Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/goldbug-hot-spring): 113°F source, pH 7.8, Hike, near Salmon, Lemhi County, primitive pools, pools 90–105°F, free, year-round
- [Beardsley Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/beardsley-hot-springs): 109°F source, pH 7.0, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County, developed pools, pools 96–105°F, mid-march-nov
- [Little Antelope Flat Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/little-antelope-flat-warm-spring): 93°F source, pH 7.4, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County
- [Big Eightmile Creek Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/big-eightmile-creek-warm-spring): 91°F source, Short Walk, near Salmon, Lemhi County
- [Salmon Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/salmon-hot-spring): 113°F source, pH 7.1, Roadside, near Salmon, Lemhi County, private, no public access
- [Sharkey Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sharkey-hot-spring): 126°F source, pH 8.0, Roadside, near Salmon, Lemhi County, primitive pools, pools 103°F, day pass

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Cronks Canyon Hot Spring?**
Cronks Canyon Hot Spring has a water temperature of 115°F (46°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Cronks Canyon Hot Spring located?**
Cronks Canyon Hot Spring is located in Custer County, Idaho at 4,740 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 44.7200°N, 114.0160°W.

**How do I get to Cronks Canyon Hot Spring?**
Cronks Canyon Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Salmon River Scenic Byway (345 ft from the road).

**Is Cronks Canyon Hot Spring free to visit?**
Cronks Canyon Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.

**Can I camp near Cronks Canyon Hot Spring?**
Yes, Iron Lake Campground is located nearby (15.5 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Cronks Canyon Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.9 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Cronks Canyon Hot Spring?**
With care. At 115°F Cronks Canyon Hot Spring 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