Paradise Hot Springs
Paradise Hot Springs runs 126 degrees Fahrenheit from alkaline sources at 4,480 feet in Idaho's Camas County, with a pH of 9.5 and steady half-cubic-foot-per-second flow that keeps its pools well circulated. The sodium-dominant water chemistry and low calcium content make for notably soft-feeling water.
The spring sits in a high-desert valley flanked by sagebrush-covered hills, about 200 meters off Grouse Creek Road via a short walk. At this elevation, winters bring nearly eight feet of snow, and ambient temperatures average just 45 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. The South Fork Boise River corridor lies nearby, and the surrounding terrain mixes open grassland with scattered timber stands along creek drainages. Summer evenings cool quickly at this altitude, making the 126-degree source especially welcome after sundown.
Thermal activity here traces to deep fault systems running through central Idaho's volcanic province. The 9.5 pH and low calcium signature suggest the water travels through silicic rock at significant depth before surfacing. USGS measurements confirm temperatures of 53 degrees Celsius, consistent with the original 1980 NOAA survey data. The Camas Prairie, historically a Shoshone-Bannock gathering ground, sits in a graben formed by Basin and Range extension.
Elks Flat Campground lies under 2 miles away and accepts reservations. The short walk from Grouse Creek Road is straightforward in dry conditions but can be muddy in spring. Source temperature of 126 degrees Fahrenheit requires mixing with cooler water before soaking. Best visited June through October, though accessible year-round with appropriate gear.
Is Paradise Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Paradise Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.5).
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Overview Elks Flat Campground is situated on the banks of the South Fork Boise River, at the foot of the Trinity Mountain Range in Idaho. It is five miles north of the town of Pine. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and exploring trails in the surrounding area. Recreation The South Fork Boise River runs along the eastern edge of the campground, offering rafting, swimming and fishing for rainbow trout. Paradise Hot Springs is nearby. Green Creek Trail 270, a 4.5-mile trail for hiking, horsebac...