Pistol Creek Hot Springs
Pistol Creek Hot Springs demands commitment. Sitting nearly 2.8 miles from the nearest road at 5,100 feet in Boise National Forest, this backcountry spring rewards the hike with 115-degree Fahrenheit water. USGS readings actually register 64 degrees Celsius, suggesting the source runs substantially hotter than the original survey recorded.
The trail passes through dense mixed-conifer forest in the Middle Fork country, one of Idaho's most remote and rugged landscapes. Annual snowfall exceeds 10 feet at this elevation, and the mean temperature hovers around 43 degrees Fahrenheit. The surrounding terrain is steep, heavily timbered, and cut by deep drainages flowing toward the Middle Fork of the Boise River. Wildlife sightings are common, including elk, deer, and black bear. The spring emerges in a relatively sheltered draw where the thermal warmth supports a patch of unusually green vegetation.
The 64-degree Celsius USGS reading, significantly above the 115-degree Fahrenheit surface temperature, implies a deep and powerful heat source. Water chemistry shows extremely high pH of 9.6 and elevated sodium and sulfate, consistent with prolonged contact with granitic rock at depth. The spring sits within the broader Middle Fork geothermal system, where the Idaho Batholith's residual heat drives numerous thermal features. The Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness begins nearby.
This is a genuine backcountry destination requiring a multi-mile hike with elevation changes. Boundary Creek Campground, 22 kilometers away, serves as a staging point and accepts reservations during the Middle Fork float season. Bring a topographic map and be prepared for route-finding. Water at the source may exceed safe soaking temperature and requires testing before entry. Best accessed mid-June through September when trails are clear of snow.
Is Pistol Creek Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Pistol Creek Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.6).
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Overview Boundary Creek Campground is located at the edge of the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, adjacent to the boat launch for the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho. The site generally provides overnight camping for boaters waiting to launch the next day on their permit to float the Middle Fork. Of the 15 campsites, 5 can be reserved during the high-use season (June 15-Aug. 15); the remaining 10 are first-come, first-served. Outside of those dates, all 15 sites are first-...