Lakey Hot Spring
Lakey Hot Spring discharges at 158 degrees Fahrenheit in Adams County, making it one of western Idaho's hottest thermal features. Positioned at just 2,680 feet near Council, this spring sits at a notably low elevation for the region, producing water more than 107 degrees above the surrounding air temperature.
The spring emerges in the foothills along the Weiser River drainage, where ponderosa pine gives way to bunchgrass slopes and scattered juniper. The terrain is drier and warmer than the higher mountain springs to the east, with about 22 inches of annual precipitation and modest snowfall of 38 inches. The air carries a distinct mineral scent from the sodium- and sulfate-rich discharge, and the ground near the source is stained white with mineral deposits.
Water chemistry reveals a near-neutral pH of 7.8, unusual for Idaho hot springs that typically run alkaline. Sodium reaches 200 milligrams per liter and chloride 140 milligrams per liter, indicating deep circulation and extended contact with subsurface rock. USGS measurements confirm 70 degrees Celsius at the source. The spring's chemical signature differs markedly from the sodium-bicarbonate waters found in the Idaho Batholith to the east.
The spring is a roughly 375-meter walk from Goodrich Road, an easy but unmarked trail. At 158 degrees, the source water is dangerously hot and requires extreme caution. There are no developed facilities nearby. The nearest reservable accommodation is Buck Park Cabin, a rustic three-person shelter at 7,280 feet on Cuddy Mountain, about 23 miles away in the Payette National Forest. Council, the nearest town, has basic services.
Is Lakey Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Lakey Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).
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Overview Buck Park Cabin is located on Cuddy Mountain, in the Payette National Forest of central Idaho. Guests enjoy the remote area for its hunting opportunities and abundance of hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails. The cabin sits at an elevation of 7,280 feet within Buck Park, a scenic meadow surrounded by a dense conifer forest. Rush Lake, Hornet and Lower Hornet reservoirs are nearby. This very rustic cabin can accommodate a maximum of three people. Metal cots are...