# Sheepeater Hot Springs, Idaho

Sheepeater Hot Springs in Idaho. Hot. Hike · Public Land. Valley County.

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

## Can you soak at Sheepeater Hot Springs?

Yes. Sheepeater Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools that run at 103°F. Soaking is free. It's open late May-Sep (river permit season). Reaching it takes a hike.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | Hot (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.5 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,115 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 4.3 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Valley County |
| Nearest town | Cascade |
| Coordinates | 44.62800, -115.19700 |
| Nearest campground | BOUNDARY CREEK CAMPGROUND, 8.2 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free |
| Season | late May-Sep (river permit season) |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 103°F |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | Middle Fork Salmon: permitted raft trip or long Middle Fork trail hike; short uphill walk from camp |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/sheepeater-hot-springs-idaho

## About Sheepeater Hot Springs

Sheepeater Hot Springs is a backcountry thermal point within Boise National Forest in Valley County, upward of forty miles from Cascade. The record calls it hot without giving a number; the only measurement is a 1980 water sample showing strongly alkaline water. The access status reads open. Reaching it is a hike of over four miles.

Four miles and change separate it from the closest road, which is unnamed in the record, on national forest ground at middling elevation. This is deep snow country, close to thirteen feet a winter, and precipitation is on the wetter side.

Boundary Creek Campground is the listed camp, about eight miles away. No best months are given. With no temperature on file, you have no way of knowing from here if the water is safe to touch, so test it. Thirteen feet of snow in a season means a short window for a walk in. Nothing on file bars entry.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1980-06-25 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.5 |
| Calcium | 2.6 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.3 mg/L |
| Sodium | 55 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 36 mg/L |
| Chloride | 5.9 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 31 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Pistol Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/pistol-creek-hot-springs): 115°F source, pH 9.6, Hike, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Sulphur Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sulphur-creek-hot-spring-2): Hot, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [Sulphur Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sulphur-creek-hot-spring-1): Hot, pH 9.9, Short Walk, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Dagger Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/dagger-creek-hot-spring): 110°F source, pH 9.9, Short Walk, near Cascade, Valley County, primitive pools, pools 100–104°F, late jul-oct
- [Thomas Creek Ranch Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/thomas-creek-ranch-hot-spring): 138°F source, pH 9.3, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County
- [Sunflower Flat Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sunflower-flat-hot-spring): 109°F source, pH 9.2, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County

## Questions

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

**Where is Sheepeater Hot Springs located?**
Sheepeater Hot Springs is located in Valley County, Idaho at 5,115 feet elevation, near Cascade. Coordinates: 44.6280°N, 115.1970°W.

**How do I get to Sheepeater Hot Springs?**
Sheepeater Hot Springs has Hike road access (4.3 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Sheepeater Hot Springs?**
Yes, Boundary Creek Campground is located nearby (8.2 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Sheepeater Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline).

## Sources

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