# Prospector Hot Springs, Idaho

Prospector Hot Springs in Idaho. Hot. Backcountry · Public Land. Ravalli County.

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

## Can you soak at Prospector Hot Springs?

Yes. Prospector Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools. Soaking is free. It's open mid-late summer. It sits deep in the backcountry.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | Hot (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 3,215 ft |
| Access | Backcountry · Public Land, 6.4 mi from the nearest road (Savage Pass Road) |
| Land | Nezperce National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Ravalli County |
| Nearest town | Hamilton |
| Coordinates | 46.23500, -114.70700 |
| Nearest campground | Elk Summit Campground, 7.1 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free |
| Season | mid-late summer |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Getting there | hard to find, multi-day trip with multiple river fords |
| Operator | US Forest Service |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/prospector/index.htm

## About Prospector Hot Springs

Prospector Hot Springs lies six and a half miles beyond Savage Pass Road in the Nezperce National Forest, Ravalli County, more than fifty miles from Hamilton. Whoever recorded it called the water hot and left it at that. No temperature figure exists. The record lists public access as open. Nothing is on file about a fee.

Low elevation for a backcountry spring, a bit over three thousand feet, in wet country where snow stacks up close to fifteen feet over a winter. The approach from Savage Pass Road is long, and nothing in the record says what the route is like. Forest Service ground. What the ground around the outlet looks like is not recorded.

Best months were never recorded. With that much snow the usable season is the warm half of the year, and the forest is the place to ask about conditions. Camping nearest is Elk Summit Campground, about seven miles away. No fee is listed. Treat the water temperature as unknown and test it before getting near the outlet.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Kamiah](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/kamiah), 27 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/jerry-johnson-hot-springs): 118°F source, pH 9.5, Short Walk, near Superior, Mineral County, primitive pools, pools 95–115°F, free, year-round
- [Colgate Warm Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/colgate-warm-springs): 106°F source, pH 9.5, Short Walk, near Superior, Mineral County
- [Stuart Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/stuart-hot-springs): Hot, Backcountry, near Hamilton, Ravalli County, primitive pools, free, mid-late summer
- [Marten Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/marten-hot-springs): Hot, Backcountry, near Hamilton, Ravalli County
- [Weir Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/weir-creek-hot-springs): 117°F source, pH 9.4, Short Walk, near Superior, Mineral County, primitive pools, pools 105°F, free, year-round
- [Stanley Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/stanley-hot-springs): 120°F source, Hike, near Kamiah, Lewis County, primitive pools, pools 106°F, free, jun-oct best

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Prospector Hot Springs?**
Prospector Hot Springs is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.

**Where is Prospector Hot Springs located?**
Prospector Hot Springs is located in Ravalli County, Idaho at 3,215 feet elevation, near Hamilton. Coordinates: 46.2350°N, 114.7070°W.

**How do I get to Prospector Hot Springs?**
Prospector Hot Springs has Backcountry road access, with the nearest road being Savage Pass Road (6.4 mi from the road).

**Is Prospector Hot Springs free to visit?**
Prospector Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Prospector Hot Springs?**
Yes, Elk Summit Campground is located nearby (7.1 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals