# Owen Cabin Hot Spring, Idaho

Owen Cabin Hot Spring in Idaho. 133°F (56°C). Hike · Public Land. Custer County.

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

## Can you soak at Owen Cabin Hot Spring?

Only once it cools. The water leaves the ground at 133°F, hotter than any hot tub. Reaching it takes a hike. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 133°F (56°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.3 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,080 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 5.0 mi from the nearest road (Loon Creek Road) |
| Land | Challis National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Custer County |
| Nearest town | Challis |
| Coordinates | 44.65200, -114.73400 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Custer #1 Campground, 17.8 mi |

## About Owen Cabin Hot Spring

Owen Cabin Hot Spring is a five-mile hike from Loon Creek Road in the Challis National Forest, Custer County, something like twenty-seven miles from Challis. The water at the source runs hot, well above soaking temperature. The access entry says open. This is the kind of spring you plan a day or an overnight around.

High mountain country, with a winter snowpack around eight feet and moderate precipitation. Five miles on foot each way from the road. The Forest Service holds the land and it carries the plain National Forest designation. Nothing on file describes the route or the source itself. Carry everything, since there is no development on record at the source.

Best months on record run December through February. That is a strange answer for a spring behind five miles of trail in snow country, so read it as the soak being best in cold air and plan the trip for whenever the route is passable. Custer #1 Campground is eighteen miles away, the only camping on record. Nothing about a fee. Test before entering; the outlet is hot enough to burn.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1979-07-30 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.3 |
| Calcium | 2 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 70 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 43 mg/L |
| Chloride | 8.7 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 27 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Upper Loon Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/upper-loon-creek-hot-springs): 145°F source, pH 9.3, Hike, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, pools 90–120°F, jul–oct
- [Foster Ranch Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/foster-ranch-hot-springs): 135°F source, pH 9.1, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [Shower Bath Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/shower-bath-springs): 122°F source, pH 9.3, Hike, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, free, jul-oct
- [Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lower-loon-creek-hot-spring): 120°F source, pH 9.0, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, parking or permit fee, late may-sep (river permit season)
- [Cox Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/cox-hot-springs): 131°F source, pH 8.9, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [Hospital Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/hospital-hot-spring): 115°F source, pH 8.9, TDS 278 mg/L, Hike, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, parking or permit fee, late may-sep (river permit season)

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Owen Cabin Hot Spring?**
Owen Cabin Hot Spring has a water temperature of 133°F (56°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Owen Cabin Hot Spring located?**
Owen Cabin Hot Spring is located in Custer County, Idaho at 5,080 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 44.6520°N, 114.7340°W.

**How do I get to Owen Cabin Hot Spring?**
Owen Cabin Hot Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Loon Creek Road (5.0 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Owen Cabin Hot Spring?**
Yes, Custer #1 Campground is located nearby (17.8 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Owen Cabin Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.3 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Owen Cabin Hot Spring?**
With care. At 133°F Owen Cabin 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