# Indian Creek Hot Spring, Idaho

Indian Creek Hot Spring in Idaho. 190°F (88°C). Hike · Public Land. Custer County.

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

## Can you soak at Indian Creek Hot Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 190°F, hot enough to burn skin. Reaching it takes a hike. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 190°F (88°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.0 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,438 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 3.8 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Custer County |
| Nearest town | Challis |
| Coordinates | 44.79900, -115.12900 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | JOHNSON CREEK GUARD STATION, 19.3 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 190°F, the source water at Indian Creek 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 Indian Creek Hot Spring

Indian Creek Hot Spring is a backcountry source in Custer County, Boise National Forest, nearly fifty miles from Challis. Where it surfaces the water is close to boiling. That rules out soaking at the source and makes it a hazard. Access is open, and reaching it means a hike of close to four miles from the nearest road.

Nothing about this is roadside. The closest road is almost four miles off, name unrecorded, and the spring sits at mid elevation in country that gets over ten feet of snow a year. National Forest land without a wilderness designation in our data. Johnson Creek Guard Station, nineteen miles distant, is the nearest camping our data has.

Our climate data favors midwinter for dryness, but with over ten feet of snow a year the route will be buried in those months. Water this hot will scald you instantly; do not touch it without checking. The 1979 survey is the only chemistry we have. No fee listed.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1979-07-31 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9 |
| Calcium | 2 mg/L |
| Sodium | 110 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 66 mg/L |
| Chloride | 11 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 40 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Middle Fork Indian Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/middle-fork-indian-creek-hot-spring): 162°F source, pH 9.0, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [Kwiskwis Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/kwiskwis-hot-spring): 156°F source, pH 9.0, Hike, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Pistol Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/pistol-creek-hot-springs): 115°F source, pH 9.6, Hike, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Sunflower Flat Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sunflower-flat-hot-spring): 109°F source, pH 9.2, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County
- [Thomas Creek Ranch Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/thomas-creek-ranch-hot-spring): 138°F source, pH 9.3, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County
- [Sunflower Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sunflower-hot-springs): 149°F source, pH 9.3, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Indian Creek Hot Spring?**
Indian Creek Hot Spring has a water temperature of 190°F (88°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Indian Creek Hot Spring located?**
Indian Creek Hot Spring is located in Custer County, Idaho at 5,438 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 44.7990°N, 115.1290°W.

**How do I get to Indian Creek Hot Spring?**
Indian Creek Hot Spring has Hike road access (3.8 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Indian Creek Hot Spring?**
Yes, Johnson Creek Guard Station is located nearby (19.3 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Indian Creek Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.0 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Indian Creek Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Indian Creek Hot Spring reaches 190°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