# Smith Cabin Hot Spring, Idaho

Smith Cabin Hot Spring in Idaho. 138°F (59°C). Roadside · Public Land. Boise County.

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

## Can you soak at Smith Cabin Hot Spring?

Yes. Smith Cabin Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools. Soaking is free. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 138°F (59°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.5 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 3,560 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 65 ft from the nearest road (Middle Fork Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Boise County |
| Nearest town | Idaho City |
| Coordinates | 43.72000, -115.61700 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Ninemeyer Campground, 3.5 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No entrance fee |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Clothing | Clothing optional |
| Getting there | roadside; high clearance for forest road |
| In winter | road often impassable winter and spring |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Boise NF) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/smith-cabin-hot-spring-idaho

## About Smith Cabin Hot Spring

Boise National Forest holds Smith Cabin Hot Spring, a roadside spring thirteen miles from Idaho City in Boise County. It is hot, near the top of the hot range, strongly alkaline on the 1981 sample. The public can go. OpenStreetMap carries the same name as the record, Smith Cabin Hot Spring, so there is no confusion over what to call it.

Middle Fork Road runs about sixty feet from the water, close enough that you could step out of a vehicle and be there in moments. Low elevation for the forest. Snow totals are heavy, a bit over nine feet, with a moderately wet year. Designation on file is national forest.

Ninemeyer Campground is three or four miles away. The record gives December through February as the best season, and whatever nine feet of snow has done to Middle Fork Road by then is worth asking about first. Straight from the ground the water will hurt; let it mix with something cooler first. Forest Service ground, no access restriction on file.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-08-03 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.5 |
| Calcium | 2.3 mg/L |
| Sodium | 44 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 18 mg/L |
| Chloride | 2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Boise](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/boise), 21 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Loftus Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/loftus-hot-spring): 129°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, pools 100–110°F, free, year-round
- [Vaughn Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/vaughn-hot-spring): 154°F source, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, jul–nov
- [Sheep Creek Bridge Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/sheep-creek-bridge-hot-spring): 142°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, free
- [Basset Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/basset-hot-spring): Hot, Hike, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [Ninemeyer Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/ninemeyer-hot-springs): 169°F source, pH 9.6, TDS 245 mg/L, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, jul–nov
- [Pool Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/pool-creek-hot-spring): 108°F source, pH 9.6, TDS 245 mg/L, Short Walk, near Idaho City, Boise County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Smith Cabin Hot Spring?**
Smith Cabin Hot Spring has a water temperature of 138°F (59°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Smith Cabin Hot Spring located?**
Smith Cabin Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 3,560 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 43.7200°N, 115.6170°W.

**How do I get to Smith Cabin Hot Spring?**
Smith Cabin Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (65 ft from the road).

**Is Smith Cabin Hot Spring free to visit?**
Smith Cabin Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Smith Cabin Hot Spring?**
Yes, Ninemeyer Campground is located nearby (3.5 miles away).

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

**Is it safe to soak at Smith Cabin Hot Spring?**
With care. At 138°F Smith Cabin 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