# Murphy Hot Springs, Idaho

Murphy Hot Springs in Idaho. 126°F (52°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Elko County.

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

## Can you soak at Murphy Hot Springs?

Only once it cools. The water leaves the ground at 126°F, hotter than any hot tub. It's a short walk from the road. It's on Bureau of Land Management land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 126°F (52°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.5 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Total dissolved solids | 162 mg/L |
| Elevation | 5,380 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.2 mi from the nearest road (Three Creek Road) |
| Land | Jarbidge Field Office, Bureau of Land Management |
| County | Elko County |
| Nearest town | Jackpot |
| Coordinates | 42.03200, -115.36300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Big Cottonwood Campground, 0.2 mi |

## About Murphy Hot Springs

Murphy Hot Springs sits alongside Big Cottonwood Campground on BLM ground in Elko County, about forty-four miles from Jackpot. The water comes out hot, well past what you can sit in without cooling. Access is open under the Jarbidge Field Office. A short walk off Three Creek Road gets you there.

Dry uplands a mile above sea level. Precipitation is modest and winter snow amounts to four or five feet over the season, enough to matter for Three Creek Road. The BLM holds the land. From the road it is a couple hundred yards on foot, and the campground is about the same distance, so the spring and the campsites share one corner of the map.

Listed best months run December through February. Camp at Big Cottonwood Campground, which is essentially at the spring. No fee is on record. The source temperature is hot enough to hurt, so find where the water has cooled before you sit, and keep children back from the outlet. The chemistry on file comes from a 1978 sample.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1978-06-28 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8.5 |
| Total dissolved solids | 162 mg/L |
| Calcium | 5.9 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0 mg/L |
| Sodium | 30 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 4.7 mg/L |
| Chloride | 2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Twin Falls](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/twin-falls), 49 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Rowland Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/rowland-hot-springs): 104°F source, pH 7.6, Roadside, near Jackpot, Elko County
- [Indian Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/indian-hot-springs-2): 160°F source, pH 9.4, TDS 286 mg/L, Short Walk, near Glenns Ferry, Elmore County
- [Hot Creek Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/hot-creek-springs-2): 151°F source, Short Walk, near Wells, Elko County
- [Rizzi Ranch Hot Spring, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/rizzi-ranch-hot-spring): 106°F source, pH 7.4, Short Walk, near Elko, Elko County
- [Wild Horse Hot Springs, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/wild-horse-hot-springs-2): 129°F source, pH 7.2, Roadside, near Elko, Elko County
- [San Jacinto Ranch Spring, NV](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/nevada/san-jacinto-ranch-spring): 148°F source, Roadside, near Jackpot, Elko County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Murphy Hot Springs?**
Murphy Hot Springs has a water temperature of 126°F (52°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Murphy Hot Springs located?**
Murphy Hot Springs is located in Elko County, Idaho at 5,380 feet elevation, near Jackpot. Coordinates: 42.0320°N, 115.3630°W.

**How do I get to Murphy Hot Springs?**
Murphy Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Three Creek Road (0.2 mi from the road).

**Is Murphy Hot Springs free to visit?**
Murphy Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.

**Can I camp near Murphy Hot Springs?**
Yes, Big Cottonwood Campground is located nearby (0.2 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Murphy Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.5 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 162 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Murphy Hot Springs?**
With care. At 126°F Murphy Hot Springs 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