# Sacajawea Hot Springs, Idaho

Sacajawea Hot Springs in Idaho. 153°F (67°C). Roadside · Public Land. Boise County.

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

## Can you soak at Sacajawea Hot Springs?

Yes. Sacajawea Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools. Soaking is free. It's open Jul–Oct. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 153°F (67°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 5,000 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 135 ft from the nearest road (Grandjean Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Boise County |
| Nearest town | Idaho City |
| Coordinates | 44.16000, -115.17700 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | BONNEVILLE, 6.7 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No parking, day-use or permit fee |
| Season | Jul–Oct |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Clothing | Swimsuit required |
| Getting there | About 5 mi gravel on Grandjean Rd (FS 524) off Hwy 21, roadside pullout, short uneven bank; no high clearance needed |
| In winter | Snow on Grandjean Rd makes winter access unreliable |
| Operator | US Forest Service, Boise National Forest |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/sacajawea-hot-springs-idaho, https://hotspringslocator.com/sacajawea-hot-springs

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 153°F, the source water at Sacajawea Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Sacajawea Hot Springs

Sacajawea Hot Springs is scalding at the source. The water would burn you in seconds. It sits at the roadside in Boise National Forest, Boise County, a short way off Grandjean Road and about forty miles from Idaho City. Access is recorded as open, and Bonneville campground sits seven miles off.

Five thousand feet up in heavy snow country. Fifteen feet most winters, and wet the rest of the year. Grandjean Road passes within a few dozen yards of the source, and once the road is open you can step from the car to the water. Forest Service land with the ordinary National Forest designation. No water chemistry is on file for it.

The best season on record is winter. At this temperature the source itself is off limits to skin. Any soaking happens only where the hot water has mixed with cold, and you test that first every time. Bonneville is the listed campground. No fee shows up. Snow load means checking Grandjean Road before you go.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 19 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Grandjean Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/grandjean-hot-spring): Hot, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Bonneville Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/bonneville-hot-springs): 185°F source, pH 9.3, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, pools 104°F, $5 parking or permit, apr–oct
- [Stanley Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/stanley-hot-spring): 106°F source, pH 8.8, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County
- [Elkhorn Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/elkhorn-hot-spring): 136°F source, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, free, year-round
- [Rosalys Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/rosalys-warm-spring): 106°F source, pH 9.4, Short Walk, near Sun Valley, Blaine County
- [Cape Horn Warm Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/cape-horn-warm-springs): 95°F source, pH 9.6, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sacajawea Hot Springs?**
Sacajawea Hot Springs has a water temperature of 153°F (67°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Sacajawea Hot Springs located?**
Sacajawea Hot Springs is located in Boise County, Idaho at 5,000 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 44.1600°N, 115.1770°W.

**How do I get to Sacajawea Hot Springs?**
Sacajawea Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Grandjean Road (135 ft from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Sacajawea Hot Springs?**
Yes, Bonneville is located nearby (6.7 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Sacajawea Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Sacajawea Hot Springs reaches 153°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

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