Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring
Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring emerges at 120 degrees Fahrenheit along Loon Creek in the Challis National Forest, one of central Idaho's most remote drainages. Known locally as Loon Creek Hot Spring, it sits at 4,094 feet with alkaline water (pH 9.0) and a sodium concentration of 94 milligrams per liter -- among the highest in the region.
Loon Creek Canyon is deep backcountry. At 577 meters from the nearest road, the spring requires a real walk through forest and along the creek, which runs clear and cold past rock walls and stands of ponderosa pine. The elevation here is moderate at 4,094 feet, but the surrounding ridges climb thousands of feet higher, catching 102 inches of snow each winter. The air averages 47 degrees annually, and the canyon stays cool even in summer. Steam rises from the spring's source and drifts through the trees, marking the location from a distance.
Access requires a walk of nearly 600 meters from the road, through terrain that can be slippery near the creek. Water at 120 degrees needs cooling before soaking -- find where creek water enters the thermal pools. This area is remote with limited cell service and rough roads that may require high clearance. Yellowjacket Guard Station, 34 kilometers away, can be reserved and offers shelter and basic facilities. Plan for seasonal access only, roughly June through October.
Loon Creek cuts through Cretaceous granite of the Idaho Batholith, and the hot springs along its length emerge where faults intersect the creek drainage. The sodium-dominated, low-calcium chemistry (1.8 mg/L calcium versus 94 mg/L sodium) indicates deep circulation through granite, likely exceeding several kilometers of depth. Yellowjacket Guard Station, a historic 1925 Forest Service ranger station remodeled by the CCC in 1934, offers reservable lodging 34 kilometers away and is eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
The water at Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.0).
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Overview Yellowjacket Guard Station is a historic Forest Service Ranger Station and Work Center. Originally constructed in 1925 and remodeled in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the structure is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Recreation Hikers, horseback riders, mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts will find many trails in the surrounding area. Hunting is also a popular activity. Click here for an Idaho OHV safety messageFacilities The spacious...
Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water runs hot, so extra hydration is key.
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