# Salmon Hot Spring, Idaho

Salmon Hot Spring in Idaho. 113°F (45°C). Roadside. Lemhi County.

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

## Can you soak at Salmon Hot Spring?

No. Salmon Hot Spring is on private land with no public access.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 113°F (45°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.1 (Neutral) |
| Elevation | 4,920 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 100 ft from the nearest road |
| County | Lemhi County |
| Nearest town | Salmon |
| Coordinates | 45.09500, -113.83600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Williams Lake Campground, 8.0 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, no public access |
| Getting there | Salmon Hot Springs Road |

A 366-acre private parcel on Salmon Hot Springs Road is advertised with a hot spring piped into a building. No public soaking found.

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.acrevalue.com/land-for-sale-near-me/0-salmon-hot-springs-road-salmon-id-83467/362af111-c90c-4da8-8519-45673c66fe02/

## About Salmon Hot Spring

Salmon Hot Spring sits beside an unnamed road in Lemhi County, six miles or so from the town of Salmon. Hot water at the source, beyond soaking comfort, so it needs testing. Ownership and public access are not recorded, which is worth settling first. Williams Lake Campground is about eight miles away.

Close to five thousand feet, with moderate precipitation and five or six feet of snow each season. The approach amounts to crossing a hundred feet of ground. Neither land owner nor management unit appears in the file, and the record is silent on the surroundings. Williams Lake Campground is the camping on record, eight miles out.

The record favors a winter visit. Test the outlet before anything else; it runs hot. For camping the record gives Williams Lake Campground. No fee listed. The chemistry is from 1980. Ask locally who owns the ground, since access is not recorded. The temperature figure dates back decades, so verify it on the spot.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1980-08-07 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.1 |
| Calcium | 21 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 9.8 mg/L |
| Sodium | 190 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 31 mg/L |
| Chloride | 49 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Arco](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/arco), 60 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Sharkey Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sharkey-hot-spring): 126°F source, pH 8.0, Roadside, near Salmon, Lemhi County, primitive pools, pools 103°F, day pass
- [Goldbug Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/goldbug-hot-spring): 113°F source, pH 7.8, Hike, near Salmon, Lemhi County, primitive pools, pools 90–105°F, free, year-round
- [Cronks Canyon Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/cronks-canyon-hot-spring): 115°F source, pH 7.9, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools
- [Jardine Hot Spring, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/jardine-hot-spring): 140°F source, pH 7.0, Short Walk, near Salmon, Lemhi County
- [Big Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/big-creek-hot-springs): 199°F source, pH 7.6, Short Walk, near Salmon, Lemhi County, primitive pools, free, year-round
- [Owl Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/owl-creek-hot-springs): 122°F source, pH 8.4, Hike, near Salmon, Lemhi County, private, no public access

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Salmon Hot Spring?**
Salmon Hot Spring has a water temperature of 113°F (45°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Salmon Hot Spring located?**
Salmon Hot Spring is located in Lemhi County, Idaho at 4,920 feet elevation, near Salmon. Coordinates: 45.0950°N, 113.8360°W.

**How do I get to Salmon Hot Spring?**
Salmon Hot Spring has Roadside road access (100 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Salmon Hot Spring?**
Yes, Williams Lake Campground is located nearby (8.0 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Salmon Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.1 (neutral).

**Is it safe to soak at Salmon Hot Spring?**
With care. At 113°F Salmon Hot Spring is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

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