# Dutch Frank Hot Spring, Idaho

Dutch Frank Hot Spring in Idaho. 149°F (65°C). Roadside · Public Land. Boise County.

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

## Can you soak at Dutch Frank Hot Spring?

Yes. Dutch Frank Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 102 to 104°F. Soaking is free. It's open Jun–Nov. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 149°F (65°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.6 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 4,100 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 88 ft from the nearest road (Middle Fork Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Boise County |
| Nearest town | Idaho City |
| Coordinates | 43.78900, -115.43400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Barber Flat Cabin (Boise National Forest, ID), 5.6 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No fee |
| Season | Jun–Nov |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 102–104°F |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | Roadside, bridge crossing; high clearance recommended; about 3 hr drive from Boise |
| In winter | Forest road impassable winter and spring from snow and mud |
| Operator | US Forest Service, Boise National Forest |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/dutch-frank-hot-spring-idaho

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 149°F, the source water at Dutch Frank Hot Spring 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 Dutch Frank Hot Spring

Dutch Frank Hot Spring comes up alongside Middle Fork Road in the Boise forest, twenty miles from Idaho City. At the source the water runs near a hundred and fifty degrees. That is scalding. the record says open and the Forest Service holds the land, so permission is settled and heat is what you deal with.

Under a hundred feet from the road. The elevation is about forty-one hundred feet. Ten feet of snow falls in a typical winter, and the rain is moderate. The nearest listed place to stay is Barber Flat Cabin, between five and six miles away. Nothing in the file covers the spring itself beyond the numbers.

Keep out of the source. At that heat water burns. The record puts the best months in winter. The pH figure, strongly alkaline, dates to a May 1981 sample. Park and you are there; access is open. Barber Flat Cabin for camping, if a cabin counts as camping for you.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-05-28 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.6 |
| Calcium | 1.6 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.2 mg/L |
| Sodium | 57 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 27 mg/L |
| Chloride | 1.8 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Boise](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/boise), 31 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Straight Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/straight-creek-hot-spring): 144°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Granite Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/granite-creek-hot-spring): 131°F source, pH 9.4, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, pools 100–115°F, free, jul–nov
- [Brown Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/brown-creek-hot-spring): 122°F source, pH 9.4, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, free, aug-oct (low water ford)
- [Weatherby Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/weatherby-hot-spring): 113°F source, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Pool Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/pool-creek-hot-spring): 108°F source, pH 9.6, TDS 245 mg/L, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Ninemeyer Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/ninemeyer-hot-springs): 169°F source, pH 9.6, TDS 245 mg/L, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, jul–nov

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Dutch Frank Hot Spring?**
Dutch Frank Hot Spring has a water temperature of 149°F (65°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Dutch Frank Hot Spring located?**
Dutch Frank Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 4,100 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 43.7890°N, 115.4340°W.

**How do I get to Dutch Frank Hot Spring?**
Dutch Frank Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (88 ft from the road).

**Is Dutch Frank Hot Spring free to visit?**
Dutch Frank Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Dutch Frank Hot Spring?**
Yes, Barber Flat Cabin (Boise National Forest, Id) is located nearby (5.6 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Dutch Frank Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.6 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Dutch Frank Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Dutch Frank Hot Spring reaches 149°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

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