Pincock (Green Canyon) Hot Springs
Pincock Hot Springs, known locally as Green Canyon Hot Springs, flows at 111 degrees Fahrenheit in Fremont County, Idaho, near Ashton. Its water chemistry stands out with 130 mg/L calcium, 30 mg/L magnesium, and 320 mg/L sulfate, creating mineral-rich water at a near-neutral pH of 6.7 that distinguishes it from Idaho's typically alkaline springs.
A 282-meter walk separates the spring from the nearest road at 5,820 feet elevation, enough distance to muffle traffic while keeping access manageable. The setting sits in the upper Snake River Plain's transition zone where high desert gives way to forested foothills. Winter brings roughly 6.5 feet of snow annually, with average air temperatures around 42 degrees Fahrenheit. Yellowstone National Park lies to the northeast, and the Teton Range rises to the east. The volcanic plateau's basalt flows underlie the landscape, their dark rock visible in nearby canyon cuts.
The slightly acidic pH of 6.7 and high calcium-sulfate chemistry point to water interacting with Paleozoic carbonates and evaporites beneath the volcanic cover, a different geochemical path than the sodium-bicarbonate springs common elsewhere in Idaho. USGS measurements of 40.8 degrees Celsius track closely with historical records. The spring occupies a geologically active zone where the Yellowstone hotspot's thermal influence extends westward through buried fault networks.
The short walk in from the road takes about five minutes on mostly flat ground. Source water at 111 degrees Fahrenheit needs some cooling before comfortable soaking. Table Rock Campground is the nearest reservable option at roughly 22 kilometers away. Ashton provides basic supplies. The Yellowstone-Teton corridor offers extensive recreation options within an hour's drive.
Is Pincock (Green Canyon) Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Pincock (Green Canyon) Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.7). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
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Overview Table Rock Campground is located in a small but scenic canyon near Kelly Canyon Ski Resort, approximately 30 miles from Idaho Falls, Idaho. Hiking, mountain biking and ATV riding are popular activities.Recreation Hawley Gulch Trail begins at the campground, offering great opportunities for ATV enthusiasts, hikers and mountain bikers. Numerous forest roads and trails in the area allow ATV travel, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking.Facilities Table Rock is a large group campg...