Secesh Hot Spring
Secesh Hot Spring sits at 5,844 feet in Idaho's Payette National Forest, demanding a 1.6-mile hike through backcountry near McCall. No precise temperature readings exist in historical records — the spring is simply classified as hot. Heavy annual snowfall of 166 inches limits the access window and keeps visitor numbers low.
The trail winds through dense conifer forest before opening to a clearing where thermal water surfaces among rocks and grass. At this elevation, the air averages just 40 degrees year-round, and the contrast between cold mountain atmosphere and steaming water is immediate. Snow lingers well into June across the surrounding peaks of Valley County, and the nearest paved road is over 1.6 miles behind you.
Access requires navigating unpaved forest roads followed by the hike itself. The window for visiting typically runs from late June through October, depending on snowpack. Bring everything you need — there are no facilities at the spring. Upper Payette Lake Campground, 18 km away near McCall, offers the closest reservable campsites.
The spring emerges within the Idaho Batholith, a massive granitic intrusion that heats groundwater across central Idaho. The Payette National Forest has managed this area since the early twentieth century, and the spring remains in a near-natural state with no built infrastructure. Its remote position kept it off most maps until backcountry recreation expanded in the region.
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Overview Upper Payette Lake Campground is located 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of beautiful Upper Payette Lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing and exploring local trails. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as so...
Secesh Hot Spring sits at 5,844 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Secesh Hot Spring is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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