# Vaughn Hot Spring, Idaho

Vaughn Hot Spring in Idaho. 154°F (68°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Boise County.

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

## Can you soak at Vaughn Hot Spring?

Yes. Vaughn Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools. It's open Jul–Nov. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 154°F (68°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 3,680 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 381 ft from the nearest road (Middle Fork Road) |
| Land | Boise National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Boise County |
| Nearest town | Idaho City |
| Coordinates | 43.73800, -115.58300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Ninemeyer Campground, 1.4 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Season | Jul–Nov |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Getting there | Roadside on Middle Fork Boise River; ford the river or use easier crossing 300 ft downstream on foot |
| In winter | Middle Fork Boise road poor in winter |
| Operator | US Forest Service, Boise National Forest |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://hotspringslocator.com/pete-creek-hot-springs

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 154°F, the source water at Vaughn Hot Spring 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 Vaughn Hot Spring

Vaughn Hot Spring comes out above 150 degrees, scalding, on Boise National Forest ground in Boise County about fourteen miles from Idaho City. A few hundred feet of walking from Middle Fork Road gets you there. Access is open. The source water will burn. OpenStreetMap lists it under this name and so does the USGS.

About 3,700 feet, with roughly ten feet of snow and thirty inches of precipitation; annual temperatures average close to fifty. Middle Fork Road passes a few hundred feet away. Forest Service holding, designation National Forest and nothing finer. Snow closes the approach for a good part of the year, though the record does not say when the road opens.

December through February are flagged as best. Ninemeyer Campground is close, under one and a half miles off. Chemistry was never sampled, though the USGS does track it as a site. Source water this hot burns on contact; any soak depends on a cooled pool the record does not confirm.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Boise](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/boise), 23 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [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
- [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
- [Basset Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/basset-hot-spring): Hot, Hike, near Idaho City, Boise County
- [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
- [Smith Cabin Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/smith-cabin-hot-spring): 138°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Idaho City, Boise County, primitive pools, free
- [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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Vaughn Hot Spring?**
Vaughn Hot Spring has a water temperature of 154°F (68°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Vaughn Hot Spring located?**
Vaughn Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 3,680 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 43.7380°N, 115.5830°W.

**How do I get to Vaughn Hot Spring?**
Vaughn Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (381 ft from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Vaughn Hot Spring?**
Yes, Ninemeyer Campground is located nearby (1.4 miles away).

**Is it safe to soak at Vaughn Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Vaughn Hot Spring reaches 154°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