# Indian Hot Springs, Idaho

Indian Hot Springs in Idaho. 160°F (71°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Elmore County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/indian-hot-springs-2
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Indian Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 160°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road. It's on Bureau of Land Management land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 160°F (71°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.4 (Alkaline) |
| Total dissolved solids | 286 mg/L |
| Elevation | 3,720 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.4 mi from the nearest road (Indian Hot Springs Road) |
| Land | Bruneau Field Office, Bureau of Land Management |
| County | Elmore County |
| Nearest town | Glenns Ferry |
| Coordinates | 42.33300, -115.65000 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | The Forks Campground, 24.2 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 160°F, the source water at Indian Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs

Indian Hot Springs, the Elmore County one, is a long way from anywhere: Glenns Ferry, the nearest town in our records, is some forty-six miles off. Scalding at the source. It is on BLM land managed from the Bruneau Field Office and listed as open to the public, with a road named for the spring running within half a mile.

Indian Hot Springs Road gets you to within about four tenths of a mile. After that it is a walk across BLM ground. Elevation is modest, under four thousand feet, and the climate is dry with light snow. The Forks Campground is about twenty-four miles away, the closest we know of.

The dry months are December through February, and snowfall is light enough that it should not block you. The water will burn on contact. Test with a hand before any part of you goes in. Chemistry and temperature date to a 1978 survey. Open access, no fee on record.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1978-06-15 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.4 |
| Total dissolved solids | 286 mg/L |
| Calcium | 1.3 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0 mg/L |
| Sodium | 80 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 23 mg/L |
| Chloride | 9.1 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Glenns Ferry](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/glenns-ferry), 57 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Murphy Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/murphy-hot-springs): 126°F source, pH 8.5, TDS 162 mg/L, Short Walk, near Jackpot, Elko County
- [Indian Bathtub Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/indian-bathtub-hot-springs): 99°F source, pH 8.6, TDS 248 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County, primitive pools, pools 93–96°F, free
- [Lower Indian Bathtub Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lower-indian-bathtub-hot-springs): 108°F source, pH 8.7, Short Walk, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County, primitive pools, pools 102°F, free, year-round
- [Buckaroo Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/buckaroo-hot-spring): 109°F source, pH 8.2, Roadside, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County
- [Rowland Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/rowland-hot-springs): 104°F source, pH 7.6, Roadside, near Jackpot, Elko County
- [Bat Hot Spring, Pence Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/bat-hot-spring-pence-hot-spring): 117°F source, pH 8.2, TDS 243 mg/L, Short Walk, near Mountain Home Air Force Base, Elmore County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Indian Hot Springs?**
Indian Hot Springs has a water temperature of 160°F (71°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Indian Hot Springs located?**
Indian Hot Springs is located in Elmore County, Idaho at 3,720 feet elevation, near Glenns Ferry. Coordinates: 42.3330°N, 115.6500°W.

**How do I get to Indian Hot Springs?**
Indian Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Indian Hot Springs Road (0.4 mi from the road).

**Is Indian Hot Springs free to visit?**
Indian Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.

**Can I camp near Indian Hot Springs?**
Yes, The Forks Campground is located nearby (24.2 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Indian Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.4 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 286 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Indian Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Indian Hot Springs reaches 160°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