# Gold Fork Hot Spring, Idaho

Gold Fork Hot Spring in Idaho. 127°F (53°C). Roadside. Valley County.

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

## Can you soak at Gold Fork Hot Spring?

Yes. Gold Fork Hot Spring is a developed hot spring. A day pass costs $10 as of October 2026.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 127°F (53°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.5 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 4,960 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 150 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Valley County |
| Nearest town | Cascade |
| Coordinates | 44.67600, -115.94300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | PADDY FLAT GUARD STATION, 6.9 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Developed pools |
| Cost | $10 day pass. Child 2-9 $5; cash or check only; price undated secondary source |
| Hours | noon-9pm or noon-8pm, closed Tuesdays |
| Season | Year-round |
| Getting there | near Donnelly, short drive |
| Operator | Gold Fork Hot Springs, https://www.goldforkhotsprings.com |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/hot-springs/gold-fork-hot-springs/, https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/gold-fork-hot-springs/index.htm

## About Gold Fork Hot Spring

About 13 miles out of Cascade in Valley County, Gold Fork Hot Spring puts out water in the upper 120s, hot enough to need tempering before a soak. No owner is named for the ground, and public access goes unmentioned too. No name is on file for the road beside it. Paddy Flat Guard Station, about seven miles away, is the nearest camping the record lists.

The spring is close to the road, around 150 feet, so you will barely leave the car. What there is, is snow: around twelve feet per winter, on top of a wet climate, at an elevation near five thousand feet. That makes this snowbound country for a good part of the year. No photograph is on record, nor any description of the terrain.

The best-months entry reads December through February, which with twelve feet of snow makes road condition the thing to settle first. The chemistry is a 1982 sample and it came back strongly alkaline. Confirm ownership before you go, since the record is silent.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1982-07-28 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.5 |
| Calcium | 1.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 70 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 12 mg/L |
| Chloride | 11 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Weiser](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/weiser), 47 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Badley Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/badley-warm-spring): 100°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Arling Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/arling-hot-spring): 90°F source, pH 9.8, TDS 218 mg/L, Roadside, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Trail Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/trail-creek-hot-spring): 122°F source, pH 9.7, Short Walk, near Cascade, Valley County, primitive pools, pools 100–110°F, free, year-round
- [Cascade Reservoir Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/cascade-reservoir-hot-spring): Hot, Hike, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Dollar Creek Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/dollar-creek-warm-spring): 68°F source, pH 7.7, Roadside, near Cascade, Valley County
- [South Fork Plunge, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/south-fork-plunge): 129°F source, Short Walk, near Cascade, Valley County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Gold Fork Hot Spring?**
Gold Fork Hot Spring has a water temperature of 127°F (53°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Gold Fork Hot Spring located?**
Gold Fork Hot Spring is located in Valley County, Idaho at 4,960 feet elevation, near Cascade. Coordinates: 44.6760°N, 115.9430°W.

**How do I get to Gold Fork Hot Spring?**
Gold Fork Hot Spring has Roadside road access (150 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Gold Fork Hot Spring?**
Yes, Paddy Flat Guard Station is located nearby (6.9 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Gold Fork Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Gold Fork Hot Spring?**
With care. At 127°F Gold Fork 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