# Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring, Idaho

Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring in Idaho. 108°F (42°C). Hike · Public Land. Custer County.

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

## Can you soak at Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring?

The water leaves the ground at 108°F, a comfortable soaking temperature. Reaching it takes a hike. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 108°F (42°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 5,472 ft |
| Access | Hike · Public Land, 2.7 mi from the nearest road (Hoodoo Meadows Road) |
| Land | Salmon National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Custer County |
| Nearest town | Challis |
| Coordinates | 45.04200, -114.61600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | YELLOWJACKET GUARD STATION, 7.3 mi |

## About Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring

Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring takes some walking to reach. It sits in the Salmon National Forest, Custer County, more than forty miles from Challis. Hot, a notch past soaking range, and entry is open to all. No chemistry on file, and the USGS has no site number for it, so the temperature reading stands alone.

Hoodoo Meadows Road is where the walking starts, close to three miles out. Middling elevation, on Forest Service ground. Snow runs over nine feet a winter, with middling precipitation and a yearly average in the low forties.

Yellowjacket Guard Station, about seven miles off, is the closest camp anyone has noted. The best window falls in winter. With nine feet of snow and three miles on foot, that is a committing trip, so find out if Hoodoo Meadows Road opens in winter before you plan around it. No chemistry has been done, so temperature is all you know about the water going in.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 55 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Mormon Ranch Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/mormon-ranch-warm-spring): Hot, pH 9.4, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [Forge Creek Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/forge-creek-hot-springs): Hot, pH 8.7, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [Hospital Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/hospital-hot-spring): 115°F source, pH 8.9, TDS 278 mg/L, Hike, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, parking or permit fee, late may-sep (river permit season)
- [Lower Loon Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lower-loon-creek-hot-spring): 120°F source, pH 9.0, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, parking or permit fee, late may-sep (river permit season)
- [Cox Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/cox-hot-springs): 131°F source, pH 8.9, Hike, near Challis, Custer County
- [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 Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring?**
Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring has a water temperature of 108°F (42°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring located?**
Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring is located in Custer County, Idaho at 5,472 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 45.0420°N, 114.6160°W.

**How do I get to Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring?**
Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring has Hike road access, with the nearest road being Hoodoo Meadows Road (2.7 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Snowshoe Johnsons Hot Spring?**
Yes, Yellowjacket Guard Station is located nearby (7.3 miles away).

## Sources

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