# White Licks Hot Spring, Idaho

White Licks Hot Spring in Idaho. 140°F (60°C). Roadside. Adams County.

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

## Can you soak at White Licks Hot Spring?

Yes. White Licks Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools. Soaking is free. It's open May–Oct. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 140°F (60°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.6 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 4,870 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 36 ft from the nearest road (National Forest Development Road 186) |
| County | Adams County |
| Nearest town | Council |
| Coordinates | 44.67900, -116.23100 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | AMANITA, 5.2 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No fee listed; free camping area |
| Season | May–Oct |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Getting there | roadside; two concrete soak boxes in small shacks |
| In winter | seasonal road open ~May to Oct/Nov |
| Operator | Boise Cascade land bordering Payette NF |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/white_licks/index.htm

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 140°F, the source water at White Licks 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 White Licks Hot Spring

White Licks Hot Spring sits beside National Forest Development Road 186 in Adams County, eleven miles from Council. The source temperature on file, from June 1972, is at the top of the hot range, right where water starts to scald. The road name implies national forest, though the record is blank on ownership and on public access. Water tests near neutral and carries magnesium, calcium, chloride, sulfate and sodium.

Roadside, a dozen yards from the forest road. The spring sits a touch below five thousand feet. Winters here are snowy, close to twelve feet on average, and the year overall is on the wet side. Which national forest, if any, is not stated.

Best season per the record: December to February, and the record is silent on whether the forest road is plowed. Amanita campground is about five miles off. The water will burn; test before entering. Confirm ownership and permission, neither of which is on record. The reading is over fifty years old.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1972-06-29 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.6 |
| Calcium | 39 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.3 mg/L |
| Sodium | 420 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 660 mg/L |
| Chloride | 150 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Weiser](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/weiser), 36 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Council Mtn Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/council-mtn-hot-springs): 154°F source, Short Walk, near Council, Adams County, primitive pools, free, mar–nov
- [Cascade Reservoir Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/cascade-reservoir-hot-spring): Hot, Hike, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Arling Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/arling-hot-spring): 90°F source, pH 9.8, TDS 218 mg/L, Roadside, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Badley Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/badley-warm-spring): 100°F source, pH 9.6, Roadside, near Cascade, Valley County
- [Gold Fork Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/gold-fork-hot-spring): 127°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Cascade, Valley County, developed pools, $10 day pass, year-round
- [Starkey Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/starkey-hot-springs): 131°F source, pH 8.6, Roadside, near Council, Adams County, developed pools, pools 95–105°F, day pass

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at White Licks Hot Spring?**
White Licks Hot Spring has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is White Licks Hot Spring located?**
White Licks Hot Spring is located in Adams County, Idaho at 4,870 feet elevation, near Council. Coordinates: 44.6790°N, 116.2310°W.

**How do I get to White Licks Hot Spring?**
White Licks Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being National Forest Development Road 186 (36 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near White Licks Hot Spring?**
Yes, Amanita is located nearby (5.2 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at White Licks Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.6 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at White Licks Hot Spring?**
With care. At 140°F White Licks 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