Starkey Hot Springs
Starkey Hot Springs delivers 131-degree water at just 3,290 feet elevation in Adams County, one of the lower-elevation thermal features in Idaho. Recent USGS measurements confirmed 56 degrees Celsius, with sulfate-dominant chemistry at 160 mg/L that sets it apart from the sodium-chloride springs common elsewhere in the state.
Located roughly 240 feet from the nearest road outside Council, the spring sits in the Weiser River drainage where the valley floor opens up below the surrounding mountains. The 3,290-foot elevation gives this area milder conditions than Idaho's high-country springs, with average air temperatures near 48 degrees Fahrenheit and just 90 inches of annual snow. The alkaline water at pH 8.6 carries virtually no magnesium and minimal calcium, leaving a silky feel distinct from the heavily mineralized springs found in southeastern Idaho.
The Weiser River corridor follows a series of faults along the western edge of the Idaho Batholith, providing conduits for deeply heated groundwater to reach the surface. Starkey's sulfate-dominant chemistry suggests the water passes through volcanic rocks rather than the sedimentary formations that produce the chloride-rich springs farther south. Adams County sits in a transitional zone between the granite core of central Idaho and the basalt flows of the Snake River Plain.
Essentially a roadside spring near Council with access requiring only a short walk. Water at 131 degrees is too hot for direct contact at the source. Look for areas where hot water mixes with cooler surface water for soaking. Evergreen Campground sits about four miles away along the Weiser River off Highway 95 and accepts reservations. The low elevation makes this spring accessible earlier and later in the season than many Idaho thermal features.
Is Starkey Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Starkey Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6).
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Overview Evergreen Campground is situated next to the Weiser River just off Highway 95 between the towns of Council and New Meadows, Idaho. Fishing and hiking are popular activities. 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 some re...