Lower Bowery Hot Spring
Lower Bowery Hot Spring surfaces at 129 degrees Fahrenheit and 6,820 feet elevation in the Sawtooth National Forest above Sun Valley, where the annual average temperature is just 39 degrees. That 90-degree differential between water and air makes it one of the hotter-above-ambient springs in central Idaho, with sulfate-rich chemistry at 120 milligrams per liter.
Snow dominates this landscape for more than half the year. At nearly 7,000 feet in Blaine County, the Sawtooth foothills are blanketed by 130 inches of snow annually, and the forest is a mix of lodgepole pine, subalpine fir, and spruce. The spring sits 253 meters from the nearest road, a short walk through timber. In summer, the surrounding meadows fill with lupine and Indian paintbrush. The Big Wood River drainage below carries snowmelt well into July, and the contrast of hot mineral water against cold mountain air produces thick clouds of steam.
The Sawtooth Range and its foothills are composed of Cretaceous granite intruded into older metamorphic rocks. Hot water ascends along faults in this fractured bedrock, picking up sodium (80 mg/L) and sulfate (120 mg/L) during deep circulation. The pH of 8.5 indicates moderately alkaline conditions. USGS measurements confirm a source temperature of 52.5 degrees Celsius, slightly below the 1980 NOAA survey reading, which may reflect seasonal variation or slight changes in flow path.
Sun Valley and Ketchum are about 20 kilometers south, making this spring accessible as a day trip. The 253-meter walk from the road is straightforward in summer but challenging in winter without snowshoes or skis. Source water at 129 degrees requires significant cooling before soaking. Wood River Group Overnight Area, 20 kilometers away, accepts reservations and sits at 6,400 feet along the Big Wood River with fishing and trail access nearby.
Is Lower Bowery Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
- Winter soaking with dramatic temperature contrast
The water at Lower Bowery Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.5).
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Overview Wood River Group Overnight Area is located inside the Wood River Campground, which has 30 single campsites for RV's and tent camping, which are available for use on a first-come first-served basis. This campground is located on the banks of the beautiful Big Wood River at an elevation of 6400 feet. Ketchum, Idaho is conveniently close, only 10 miles south. Visitors enjoy fishing, tubing and exploring local trails.Recreation This site is part of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area,...