# Ninemeyer Hot Springs, Idaho

Ninemeyer Hot Springs in Idaho. 169°F (76°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Boise County.

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

## Can you soak at Ninemeyer Hot Springs?

Yes. Ninemeyer Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools. It's open Jul–Nov. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 169°F (76°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.6 (Alkaline) |
| Total dissolved solids | 245 mg/L |
| Elevation | 3,760 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 440 ft from the nearest road (Middle Fork Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Boise County |
| Nearest town | Idaho City |
| Coordinates | 43.75500, -115.57100 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Ninemeyer Campground, 0.1 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Season | Jul–Nov |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Getting there | Across Middle Fork Boise River from Middle Fork Rd; must ford, only at low water (late Jul to Nov) |
| In winter | Winter route sketchy; river must be low |
| Operator | US Forest Service, Boise National Forest |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/ninemeyer/index.htm, https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/dutch-frank-hot-spring-idaho

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 169°F, the source water at Ninemeyer Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Ninemeyer Hot Springs

Ninemeyer Hot Springs is scalding. The source temperature is far above anything a person can enter, hot enough to cause serious burns on contact. It sits in the Boise National Forest, in Boise County, a short walk off Middle Fork Road and about fourteen miles from Idaho City, with Ninemeyer Campground a stone's throw away. Access is open. The water sampled in 1982 was strongly alkaline.

Forest land a little under four thousand feet up. A wet climate for Idaho, and a normal winter brings ten feet of snow, so expect deep snow across the cold months. From Middle Fork Road the walk is short. The campground is nearer still. Forest Service land throughout, and nothing in the record about the ground itself.

The season flag points to midwinter, though at this temperature the season matters less than the water itself. Do not get in at the source. Look for a place where it has mixed with cold water and test it with a hand before anything else. Camp at Ninemeyer Campground, right there. There is no fee entry.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1982-08-19 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.6 |
| Total dissolved solids | 245 mg/L |
| Calcium | 1.6 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.02 mg/L |
| Sodium | 64 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 28 mg/L |
| Chloride | 2.4 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Boise](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/boise), 24 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [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
- [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
- [Loftus Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/loftus-hot-spring): 129°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, pools 100–110°F, free, year-round
- [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
- [Brown Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/brown-creek-hot-spring): 122°F source, pH 9.4, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, free, aug-oct (low water ford)

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Ninemeyer Hot Springs?**
Ninemeyer Hot Springs has a water temperature of 169°F (76°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Ninemeyer Hot Springs located?**
Ninemeyer Hot Springs is located in Boise County, Idaho at 3,760 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 43.7550°N, 115.5710°W.

**How do I get to Ninemeyer Hot Springs?**
Ninemeyer Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (440 ft from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Ninemeyer Hot Springs?**
Yes, Ninemeyer Campground is located nearby (0.1 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Ninemeyer Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.6 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 245 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Ninemeyer Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Ninemeyer Hot Springs reaches 169°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals