# Sunbeam Hot Springs, Idaho

Sunbeam Hot Springs in Idaho. 169°F (76°C). Roadside · Public Land. Custer County.

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

## Can you soak at Sunbeam Hot Springs?

Yes. Sunbeam Hot Springs has natural, undeveloped pools that run from 100 to 110°F. Soaking is free. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 169°F (76°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.0 (Alkaline) |
| Total dissolved solids | 291 mg/L |
| Elevation | 6,160 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 143 ft from the nearest road (Salmon River Scenic Byway) |
| Land | Challis National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Custer County |
| Nearest town | Challis |
| Coordinates | 44.26800, -114.74800 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Pole Flat Campground, 2.9 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No permit, parking or day-use fee |
| Season | Year-round |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Pool temperature | 100–110°F |
| Clothing | Swimsuit required |
| Getting there | Roadside pullout on Hwy 75 about 12 mi NE of Stanley, short path with a few steps |
| In winter | Hwy 75 plowed; pools submerge in spring runoff |
| Operator | US Forest Service, Sawtooth National Recreation Area |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/sunbeam-hot-springs-idaho, https://hotspringslocator.com/sunbeam-hot-springs-idaho

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 169°F, the source water at Sunbeam 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 Sunbeam Hot Springs

Way too hot to hold a hand in, that is Sunbeam Hot Springs at the source. It rises in Challis National Forest, Custer County, thirty miles or so down the Salmon River Scenic Byway from Challis, and the Forest Service has it open to the public. Anyone soaking has to let the water cool first. Dissolved solids are low for a hot spring. The water is strongly alkaline.

The Salmon River Scenic Byway passes within about fifty yards, which makes this about as easy to reach as a hot spring gets. You are on national forest land at a bit over six thousand feet. Winters pile up a lot of snow here, and the climate is on the dry side the rest of the year.

The record flags December through February as the best months. Pole Flat Campground is about three miles away. The spring is at the roadside, so no walking to speak of. Treat the source as dangerous: at that temperature the water will burn skin on contact, and only where it has cooled should anyone think about getting in. The chemistry sample dates from late 1983.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1983-11-02 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9 |
| Total dissolved solids | 291 mg/L |
| Calcium | 2.1 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.02 mg/L |
| Sodium | 88 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 45 mg/L |
| Chloride | 15 mg/L |
| Iron | 20 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Challis](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/challis), 3 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Basin Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/basin-creek-hot-spring): 133°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, jun–oct
- [Robinson Bar Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/robinson-bar-hot-springs): 131°F source, pH 9.4, TDS 294 mg/L, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County
- [Mormon Bend Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/mormon-bend-hot-spring): 100°F source, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, free, jul-oct
- [Elkhorn Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/elkhorn-hot-spring): 136°F source, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, free, year-round
- [Slate Creek Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/slate-creek-hot-spring): 122°F source, pH 8.8, TDS 352 mg/L, Short Walk, near Challis, Custer County, primitive pools, free, jul-oct best
- [Stanley Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/stanley-hot-spring): 106°F source, pH 8.8, Roadside, near Challis, Custer County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Sunbeam Hot Springs?**
Sunbeam Hot Springs has a water temperature of 169°F (76°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Sunbeam Hot Springs located?**
Sunbeam Hot Springs is located in Custer County, Idaho at 6,160 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 44.2680°N, 114.7480°W.

**How do I get to Sunbeam Hot Springs?**
Sunbeam Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Salmon River Scenic Byway (143 ft from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Sunbeam Hot Springs?**
Yes, Pole Flat Campground is located nearby (2.9 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Sunbeam Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 9.0 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 291 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Sunbeam Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Sunbeam Hot Springs reaches 169°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

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