# Lower Bowery Hot Spring, Idaho

Lower Bowery Hot Spring in Idaho. 129°F (54°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Blaine County.

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

## Can you soak at Lower Bowery Hot Spring?

Yes. Lower Bowery Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools. It's open May–Dec. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 129°F (54°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.5 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 6,820 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Sawtooth National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Blaine County |
| Nearest town | Sun Valley |
| Coordinates | 43.97400, -114.49900 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | WOOD RIVER GROUP OVERNIGHT AREA (TENT ONLY), 12.7 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Season | May–Dec |
| Getting there | short walk by East Fork Salmon guard station |
| In winter | seasonal road open May 1 to Dec 1 |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Sawtooth NF) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/bowery/index.htm

## About Lower Bowery Hot Spring

Lower Bowery Hot Spring is a hot source in the Sawtooth National Forest, Blaine County, Idaho, around twenty-two miles from Sun Valley. The public access on record is open. Out of the ground it comes hot enough to need mixing with something cooler before a soak, and the only chemistry reading is from 1980. High country, cold year-round on average.

The nearest road, unnamed in the record, is a short walk away. Sawtooth National Forest land, no wilderness designation noted. This is high terrain, up near seven thousand feet, where the year runs cold on average and winter drops something close to eleven feet of snow. What lies between road and water goes unrecorded.

Winter tops the record's list of months, and at this elevation that means deep snow on the way in. The closest camping on file is the Wood River group overnight area, tents only, nearly thirteen miles off. The water will burn if you get in without testing it first. Nothing on file describes pools or how the water is cooled.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1980-08-07 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8.5 |
| Calcium | 24 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 6.2 mg/L |
| Sodium | 80 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 120 mg/L |
| Chloride | 13 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 26 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [West Pass Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/west-pass-hot-spring): 124°F source, pH 8.5, Roadside, near Sun Valley, Blaine County
- [Russian John Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/russian-john-hot-spring): 100°F source, pH 9.2, Roadside, near Ketchum, Blaine County, primitive pools, pools 86–105°F, free, year-round
- [Easley Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/easley-hot-springs): 100°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Ketchum, Blaine County, developed pools, $14 day pass
- [Slate Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/slate-creek-hot-spring): 122°F source, pH 8.8, TDS 352 mg/L, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, free, jul-oct best
- [Pierson Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/pierson-hot-springs): 109°F source, pH 9.3, Roadside, near Ketchum, Blaine County
- [Sullivan Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sullivan-hot-springs): 106°F source, pH 6.9, TDS 684 mg/L, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County

## Questions

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

**Where is Lower Bowery Hot Spring located?**
Lower Bowery Hot Spring is located in Blaine County, Idaho at 6,820 feet elevation, near Sun Valley. Coordinates: 43.9740°N, 114.4990°W.

**How do I get to Lower Bowery Hot Spring?**
Lower Bowery Hot Spring has Short Walk road access (0.2 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Lower Bowery Hot Spring?**
Yes, Wood River Group Overnight Area (Tent Only) is located nearby (12.7 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Lower Bowery Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.5 (slightly alkaline).

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