# Skillern Hot Springs, Idaho

Skillern Hot Springs in Idaho. 140°F (60°C). Hike · Public Land. Camas County.

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

## Can you soak at Skillern Hot Springs?

Yes. Skillern Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 100 to 106°F. It's open May–Oct. Reaching it takes a hike.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 140°F (60°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.4 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,820 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 2.5 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Sawtooth National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Camas County |
| Nearest town | Fairfield |
| Coordinates | 43.64700, -114.81600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Bowns Campground, 4.3 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Season | May–Oct |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 100–106°F |
| Getting there | about 6 mi round trip hike from trailhead, fords on low trail |
| In winter | forest road closed Oct to mid-May (usually opens ~May 20) |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Sawtooth NF) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/skillern/index.htm, https://visitsouthidaho.com/skillern-hot-springs/

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 140°F, the source water at Skillern 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 Skillern Hot Springs

Skillern Hot Springs sits on Sawtooth National Forest ground in Camas County, twenty miles from Fairfield, and you walk in. The water is hot, right at the upper edge of that range on the 1981 reading, and strongly alkaline. It is open, as far as access goes. Plan on two and a half miles on foot each way.

Two and a half miles of walking from an unnamed road is what the record describes. High ground, national forest, managed by the Forest Service. Snow runs around twelve feet a winter. The yearly average temperature sits in the low forties, and the precipitation figure is moderate.

Bowns Campground is about four miles distant. December through February are listed as best, which with this much snow is worth thinking about before you commit to the walk. Where it surfaces the water can scald; check before you sit. That 1981 number may have drifted since.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-07-15 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.4 |
| Calcium | 3.4 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0 mg/L |
| Sodium | 60 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 31 mg/L |
| Chloride | 4.9 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Hailey](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/hailey), 21 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Preis Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/preis-hot-spring): 106°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, pools 102°F, free, may-oct
- [Big Smokey Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/big-smokey-hot-spring): Hot, Hike, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, pools 102°F, free, jun-oct
- [Worswick Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/worswick-hot-springs): 180°F source, pH 9.0, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, free, jul–oct
- [Lightfoot Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lightfoot-hot-springs): 133°F source, pH 8.8, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, may–oct
- [Baumgartner Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/baumgartner-hot-spring): 111°F source, pH 9.1, Roadside, near Fairfield, Camas County, developed pools, pools 98–111°F, parking or permit fee, late may-sep 30
- [Willow Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/willow-creek-hot-spring): 131°F source, pH 9.5, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, free, jun–oct

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Skillern Hot Springs?**
Skillern Hot Springs has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Skillern Hot Springs located?**
Skillern Hot Springs is located in Camas County, Idaho at 5,820 feet elevation, near Fairfield. Coordinates: 43.6470°N, 114.8160°W.

**How do I get to Skillern Hot Springs?**
Skillern Hot Springs has Hike road access (2.5 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Skillern Hot Springs?**
Yes, Bowns Campground is located nearby (4.3 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Skillern Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.4 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Skillern Hot Springs?**
With care. At 140°F Skillern Hot Springs 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