# Kwiskwis Hot Spring, Idaho

Kwiskwis Hot Spring in Idaho. 156°F (69°C). Hike · Public Land. Valley County.

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

## Can you soak at Kwiskwis Hot Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 156°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 | 156°F (69°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.0 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,670 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 4.0 mi from the nearest road (Meadow Creek Lookout Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Valley County |
| Nearest town | Cascade |
| Coordinates | 44.83100, -115.21500 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | JOHNSON CREEK GUARD STATION, 14.5 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 156°F, the source water at Kwiskwis 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 Kwiskwis Hot Spring

Kwiskwis Hot Spring is a hike-in thermal source on the Boise National Forest in Valley County, with Cascade the nearest town at around forty-six miles. The water is scalding, far too hot to touch where it emerges. Access is open. Expect four miles on foot from the end of the road.

Meadow Creek Lookout Road is the closest road and it stops about four miles short. The spring sits at fifty-six hundred feet, in country that sees eleven feet of snow most winters and a moderate amount of rain. National Forest land. Johnson Creek Guard Station, roughly fourteen miles away, is the closest camping we have.

Midwinter reads driest in our numbers, but the snowpack at this elevation will cover the route in those months. The water will burn you at the source. Do not test it with bare skin. Chemistry and temperature are from a 1979 survey. No fee listed.

## Water chemistry

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

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9 |
| Calcium | 2.3 mg/L |
| Sodium | 120 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 80 mg/L |
| Chloride | 17 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 44 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
- [Indian Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/indian-creek-hot-spring): 190°F source, pH 9.0, Hike, near Challis, Custer 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 Kwiskwis Hot Spring?**
Kwiskwis Hot Spring has a water temperature of 156°F (69°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Kwiskwis Hot Spring located?**
Kwiskwis Hot Spring is located in Valley County, Idaho at 5,670 feet elevation, near Cascade. Coordinates: 44.8310°N, 115.2150°W.

**How do I get to Kwiskwis Hot Spring?**
Kwiskwis Hot Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Meadow Creek Lookout Road (4.0 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Kwiskwis Hot Spring?**
Yes, Johnson Creek Guard Station is located nearby (14.5 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Kwiskwis 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 Kwiskwis Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Kwiskwis Hot Spring reaches 156°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