# Loftus Hot Spring, Idaho

Loftus Hot Spring in Idaho. 129°F (54°C). Roadside · Public Land. Boise County.

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

## Can you soak at Loftus Hot Spring?

Yes. Loftus Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 100 to 110°F. Soaking is free. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 129°F (54°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.6 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 3,630 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 76 ft from the nearest road (Middle Fork Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Boise County |
| Nearest town | Idaho City |
| Coordinates | 43.72400, -115.60400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Ninemeyer Campground, 2.9 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No day-use fee |
| Season | Year-round |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 100–110°F |
| Clothing | Clothing rules vary |
| Getting there | short hike from graded road, high clearance recommended |
| In winter | winter driving may be dangerous |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Boise NF) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://hotspringslocator.com/loftus-hot-springs

## About Loftus Hot Spring

Loftus Hot Spring is a roadside thermal source within the Boise National Forest, thirteen or so miles out of Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho. Open to the public per the record. Hot water, hot enough that it needs cooling before anyone sits in it, and the 1981 sample shows it to be strongly alkaline. There is a campground a few miles along.

Middle Fork Road runs right by, under a hundred feet from the water. Forest Service land, nothing special in the designation. The spring sits fairly low for Idaho mountain country, yet the snow comes down in quantity, something close to nine feet a winter, and the area gets a fair amount of rain through the year.

The record leans winter. Ninemeyer Campground is about three miles away. Test the water before you get in; at the recorded heat it will burn if you are careless. The water is notably alkaline. Chemistry dates to 1981. Nothing on file mentions a fee.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-05-27 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.6 |
| Calcium | 2.4 mg/L |
| Sodium | 42 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 21 mg/L |
| Chloride | 11 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Boise](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/boise), 21 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Smith Cabin Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/smith-cabin-hot-spring): 138°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, free
- [Vaughn Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/vaughn-hot-spring): 154°F source, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, jul–nov
- [Basset Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/basset-hot-spring): Hot, Hike, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Ninemeyer Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/ninemeyer-hot-springs): 169°F source, pH 9.6, TDS 245 mg/L, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, jul–nov
- [Pool Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/pool-creek-hot-spring): 108°F source, pH 9.6, TDS 245 mg/L, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Sheep Creek Bridge Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sheep-creek-bridge-hot-spring): 142°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, free

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Loftus Hot Spring?**
Loftus Hot Spring has a water temperature of 129°F (54°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Loftus Hot Spring located?**
Loftus Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 3,630 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 43.7240°N, 115.6040°W.

**How do I get to Loftus Hot Spring?**
Loftus Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (76 ft from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Loftus Hot Spring?**
Yes, Ninemeyer Campground is located nearby (2.9 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Loftus Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.6 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Loftus Hot Spring?**
With care. At 129°F Loftus 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