Owen Cabin Hot Spring
Owen Cabin Hot Spring demands a five-mile backcountry hike to reach 133°F waters at 5,080 feet in Challis National Forest, Custer County. Sitting nearly 90 degrees above ambient air temperature with strongly alkaline water (pH 9.3), this is a destination for experienced backcountry travelers willing to earn their soak.
The trail follows Loon Creek drainage into one of central Idaho's most remote valleys, where granite peaks and dense conifer forest close in on all sides. At 5,080 feet, the spring sits in country that receives over eight feet of snow annually and averages just 43°F year-round, meaning the access window is narrow and the contrast between hot water and cold air is dramatic. The Loon Creek corridor is prime wildlife habitat, and encounters with elk, deer, and black bear are common along the approach.
The spring taps the same deep Idaho Batholith system that feeds many of Custer County's thermal features, with USGS-confirmed temperatures of 65°C and alkaline chemistry characteristic of long-residence-time circulation through Cretaceous granite. Sodium dominates at 70 mg/L with sulfate at 43 mg/L, while calcium remains nearly absent at 2 mg/L. The name references an old mining-era cabin, as this drainage saw prospecting activity during Idaho's 19th-century gold rushes.
This is a committed backcountry trip requiring five miles of hiking from Loon Creek Road. Plan for an overnight with full gear. The nearest developed camping is Custer #1 Campground, nearly 18 miles away near the historic Custer townsite with its mining-era museum open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Snow blocks access from roughly November through June. The 133°F source requires careful temperature testing before any water contact.
Is Owen Cabin Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Owen Cabin Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.3).
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This campground is along the Custer Motorway just above the townsite of Custer, a boom town during the late 1800's. Visit the museum, open 9 - 5 Memorial Day through Labor Day. Facilities include 6 sites with picnic tables and fire rings with cooking grills. Campground has a vault toilet and can accommodate trailers and motorhomes up to 32 feet long.