# Willow Creek Hot Spring, Idaho

Willow Creek Hot Spring in Idaho. 131°F (55°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Camas County.

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

## Can you soak at Willow Creek Hot Spring?

Yes. Willow Creek Hot Spring has natural, undeveloped pools. Soaking is free. It's open Jun–Oct. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 131°F (55°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 9.5 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 5,242 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.7 mi from the nearest road (Willow Creek Road) |
| Land | Sawtooth National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Camas County |
| Nearest town | Fairfield |
| Coordinates | 43.63700, -115.13000 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | BAUMGARTNER CAMPGROUND, 3.0 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Primitive pools |
| Cost | Free. No day-use fee listed |
| Season | Jun–Oct |
| Reservations | Not needed |
| Getting there | just under 1 mi walk from horse camp trailhead |
| In winter | forest road closed Oct to mid-May |
| Operator | US Forest Service (Sawtooth NF) |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://idahohotsprings.com/destinations/willow_creek/index.htm, https://hotspringslocator.com/?p=16918

## About Willow Creek Hot Spring

A hot spring in Camas County, Idaho, on Sawtooth National Forest ground and a long drive from anywhere; Fairfield is the nearest town at around 26 miles. The water runs hot, well above what most people would sit in without letting it cool, and it is strongly alkaline. Access is open. Forest Service land, no fee on record.

Willow Creek Road gets you within about three quarters of a mile. From there it is a walk. This is mountain country, a little over a mile high, and the snow total runs to twelve feet in an average winter, which will shut the road for months. The place gets a fair amount of rain on top of that.

Winter, December into February, is what comes up as the best season here, odd for a spot under that much snow, so find out whether Willow Creek Road is plowed before counting on a winter soak. Baumgartner Campground is three miles off. The water is hot enough to burn if you drop straight in; test it and let a pool cool. The chemistry comes from a 1981 sample.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1981-07-16 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 9.5 |
| Calcium | 2.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 46 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 23 mg/L |
| Chloride | 3.2 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Hailey](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/hailey), 36 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Baumgartner Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/baumgartner-hot-spring): 111°F source, pH 9.1, Roadside, near Fairfield, Camas County, developed pools, pools 98–111°F, parking or permit fee, late may-sep 30
- [Paradise Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/paradise-hot-springs): 126°F source, pH 9.5, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County
- [Lightfoot Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lightfoot-hot-springs): 133°F source, pH 8.8, Short Walk, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, may–oct
- [Bridge Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/bridge-hot-springs): 138°F source, pH 9.5, Roadside, near Fairfield, Camas County
- [Atlanta Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/atlanta-hot-springs): 140°F source, TDS 235 mg/L, Roadside, near Fairfield, Camas County, primitive pools, pools 97–110°F, free, year-round
- [Towne Creek Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/towne-creek-warm-spring): 75°F source, pH 6.7, Roadside, near Mountain Home, Elmore County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Willow Creek Hot Spring?**
Willow Creek Hot Spring has a water temperature of 131°F (55°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Willow Creek Hot Spring located?**
Willow Creek Hot Spring is located in Camas County, Idaho at 5,242 feet elevation, near Fairfield. Coordinates: 43.6370°N, 115.1300°W.

**How do I get to Willow Creek Hot Spring?**
Willow Creek Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Willow Creek Road (0.7 mi from the road).

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

**Can I camp near Willow Creek Hot Spring?**
Yes, Baumgartner Campground is located nearby (3.0 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Willow Creek Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Willow Creek Hot Spring?**
With care. At 131°F Willow Creek 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