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Let me start by saying this is the PERFECT winter time activity! In the midst of freezing temperatures and maybe even snow, there is nothing better than kicking back in these gorgeous hot springs. These hot springs are a must see for any locals or those visiting Idaho! They are about an hour and a half from Boise but the drive is not bad as you have scenic views the whole way. This location is so dreamy as you relax in the warmth of the pools while sitting next to the Payette River. The hot spring pools have varying heat levels. The pools closest to the entrance are the hottest. The water can be very hot so make sure you bring lots of water! You will have to walk a little bit to the hot springs. Make sure you bring shoes that can get muddy as some of the trails are right by the water. You will also need to climb over some rocks to get to where you want to go, so shoes with good stability are a must. The reason this is a 4 and not a 5 star review, is that it can be very busy and crowded. I would recommend going on a weekday if possible or earlier in the morning on the weekends. This is a must do winter activity.
Amazing! Short walk to a series of waterfalls and small pools in varying temperatures. The highest and closest to the source were the hottest. Water shoes and 4WD recommended. Some cars got stuck in the parking lot.
Kirkham Hot Springs makes me very happy. We were driving along the Banks-Lowman highway on our way to Stanley, ID when I caught a glimpse of steam rising from the river below. I suppose if I'd done a little research I may have read about this amazing site, but stumble across it we did. There is a convenient parking lot with a $5 fee, or you can park for free on the road outside the main gate. There is a windy stone stair case, and some scrambling on big boulders required to access the waterfall and lower pools. If you have limited mobility, don't worry, there are several large and shallow pools above, near the parking lot. It's so much fun discovering all of the little pools hidden amongst the boulders and hillside at Kirkham. The waterfall is the perfect temperature, around 100-104 degrees. Mid-winter you can sit on a stone outcropping behind the waterfall and simply luxuriate in the steam, feeling oh-so-wonderful. The health benefits from soaking in natural hot springs are profound, and if you are looking for a way to escape the winter blues, I highly suggest making a trip to Kirkham. I haven't visited during the summer as I imagine it's pretty busy. And I have never experienced any issues with overcrowding in the many late fall and early spring trips I've made.
Absolutely beautiful. River is high and running at the moment but upper springs are usable. So peaceful.
This is one of the most Amazing Thing you can do in Idaho!!!! The hot spring is so great we all have an Awesome Experience there! All the hot natural spring and cold river right beside that! What else can you complain!!! I wish I live closer so I can come here everyday!!!
Truly spectacular hot hot hot pools with waterfalls! There's a stretch along highway 21 starting in Bonneville of natural hot springs stretching south toward. Boise which should NOT be missed! Be smart and wear STURDY river shoes to help you navigate the super rocky and slick descent as you climb down to find the perfect pool with the perfect temperature. Pack in and pack out your crap. Please respect this beautiful miracle in nature
We were visiting our daughter who is going to Boise State University & she heard about this place so wanted to take us. Even though it was about 2hrs out of Boise, the road was beautiful on the way up & back so it didn't seem very long. We came on a Sunday about noon & it was pretty crowded. Luckily the pool we stumbled acrossed had a family just finishing up so we didn't have to share another pool with other people. The waterfall going into our pool was amazing. The water was warm & then you'd get a blast of hot water when the waterfall would hit. Not too long of a hike from the road parking area. the first set of pools were only about 5min from the road parking area & flat but there were others that were higher up that were more of a hike. bring walking shoes so as not to slip or hurt your feet on rocks.! The one star off is for the condition of the 2 bathrooms as you are going up the trails. Garbage everywhere inside & no toilet paper. Filthy toilet seat & rim. Stunk to high heaven!! It didn't look like they had been cleaned in a very long time! So a few tips: * change into swim clothes in your vehicle or wear under your clothes. (You don't want to be changing your clothes in that bathroom!!) ** bring toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer in case you need to use their bathroom. *** wear good walking shoes to pool areas & water shoes in the springs due to some of the wet rocks being slippery. **** bring in water & snacks ***** if possible come on a weekday to avoid any crowds.
The most relaxing experience we've ever had. We drove from Boise, Idaho and it only took 1 hour in a half. We went on a Monday in the late morning and it was more empty than I thought. The closer it is to the steamy orange rocks, the hotter the pool is. The closer it is to the lake will balance out the warm water. We were lucky enough to get a pool that was right in the middle. The view was beautiful too-full of snowy mountains and the sound of the big river. It was so peaceful.
**As with all my hot spring reviews, I'm starting this out with a plea/admonition: I get a lot of guff from hot springs regulars for my "irresponsible" compulsion to share hot springs info with the world -- I guess the old-timers are afraid that the more people know about these places, the worse condition they will end up in. I steadfastly maintain that sharing is caring, and that to hoard these locations is greedy and selfish...so I'm sharing this info here with the request that, if you visit these springs, PLEASE be respectful and PACK OUT YOUR TRASH!!! I've see so many hot springs strewn with gross litter (including human and pet waste) that it really turns my stomach.** B E A U T I F U L hot springs, right off the Banks-Lowman highway! Seriously, these were among the most beautiful hot springs I've ever visited. You can either camp at the adjacent campground and walk over, or pay $5 to park in the day use area......or, if you're an exceptionally broke dirty hippie like me, you can park at the side of the highway, before the campground, and just walk over. The springs area is to the right as you enter the campground. These springs are right on the banks of the Payette River, with a nice crystal blue lagoon area to swim in if you want to cool off in summer. The hot spring water comes down the cliffs on the south side of the river, collecting into rock-lined, sandy-bottomed pools of varying temps. There are more pools built into the side of the river itself, and even one hot waterfall that pours directly in the lagoon area of the river, so you can be cool and warm all at once! It's AMAZING! There's also a sort of steamy sauna cave, with hot spring water pouring down in front, and lots of little nooks and crannies to explore. A great place for kids -- which means you can't really go nude, as it seems popular with families and is fairly busy (it's very accessible from the highway). Not much shade, but you could easily spend an entire day soaking and lounging here. Even though I HATE soaking in a swimsuit and prefer my hot springs au naturel, I can't help but give this five stars as it is so freaking astonishingly beautiful! I've only been to two more beautiful hot springs in my travels thus far -- Deep Creek in SoCal (see my review), and another, unnamed springs farther north in Idaho, which one of the regulars made me promise not to "tell anyone about." Grr.
8 months ago
1 year ago
Nice place. Closed under construction but it really is a very short walk. Bathroom I didn't go in but hubby used it to change and said it was nasty. Worth the trip through those majestic mountain ranges. read more
1 year ago
Such a fun time with my daughter who goes to Boise State! We wanted a "spa day" and ended up at a day spa built by Mother Nature. Photos don't do it justice. Definitely bring tennis shoes for walking down to the hot springs and also water shoes for once you're in the water. Clean, serene, and relaxing! read more
Let me start by saying this is the PERFECT winter time activity! In the midst of freezing temperatures and maybe even snow, there is nothing better than kicking back in these gorgeous hot springs. These hot springs are a must see for any locals or those visiting Idaho! They are about an hour and a half from Boise but the drive is not bad as you have scenic views the whole way. This location is so dreamy as you relax in the warmth of the pools while sitting next to the Payette River. The hot spring pools have varying heat levels. The pools closest to the entrance are the hottest. The water can be very hot so make sure you bring lots of water! You will have to walk a little bit to the hot springs. Make sure you bring shoes that can get muddy as some of the trails are right by the water. You will also need to climb over some rocks to get to where you want to go, so shoes with good stability are a must. The reason this is a 4 and not a 5 star review, is that it can be very busy and crowded. I would recommend going on a weekday if possible or earlier in the morning on the weekends. This is a must do winter activity. read more
4 years ago
Amazing! Short walk to a series of waterfalls and small pools in varying temperatures. The highest and closest to the source were the hottest. Water shoes and 4WD recommended. Some cars got stuck in the parking lot. read more
Kirkham Hot Springs makes me very happy. We were driving along the Banks-Lowman highway on our way to Stanley, ID when I caught a glimpse of steam rising from the river below. I suppose if I'd done a little research I may have read about this amazing site, but stumble across it we did. There is a convenient parking lot with a $5 fee, or you can park for free on the road outside the main gate. There is a windy stone stair case, and some scrambling on big boulders required to access the waterfall and lower pools. If you have limited mobility, don't worry, there are several large and shallow pools above, near the parking lot. It's so much fun discovering all of the little pools hidden amongst the boulders and hillside at Kirkham. The waterfall is the perfect temperature, around 100-104 degrees. Mid-winter you can sit on a stone outcropping behind the waterfall and simply luxuriate in the steam, feeling oh-so-wonderful. The health benefits from soaking in natural hot springs are profound, and if you are looking for a way to escape the winter blues, I highly suggest making a trip to Kirkham. I haven't visited during the summer as I imagine it's pretty busy. And I have never experienced any issues with overcrowding in the many late fall and early spring trips I've made. read more
3 years ago
Absolutely beautiful. River is high and running at the moment but upper springs are usable. So peaceful. read more
3 years ago
This is one of the most Amazing Thing you can do in Idaho!!!! The hot spring is so great we all have an Awesome Experience there! All the hot natural spring and cold river right beside that! What else can you complain!!! I wish I live closer so I can come here everyday!!! read more
6 years ago
Truly spectacular hot hot hot pools with waterfalls! There's a stretch along highway 21 starting in Bonneville of natural hot springs stretching south toward. Boise which should NOT be missed! Be smart and wear STURDY river shoes to help you navigate the super rocky and slick descent as you climb down to find the perfect pool with the perfect temperature. Pack in and pack out your crap. Please respect this beautiful miracle in nature read more
5 years ago
We were visiting our daughter who is going to Boise State University & she heard about this place so wanted to take us. Even though it was about 2hrs out of Boise, the road was beautiful on the way up & back so it didn't seem very long. We came on a Sunday about noon & it was pretty crowded. Luckily the pool we stumbled acrossed had a family just finishing up so we didn't have to share another pool with other people. The waterfall going into our pool was amazing. The water was warm & then you'd get a blast of hot water when the waterfall would hit. Not too long of a hike from the road parking area. the first set of pools were only about 5min from the road parking area & flat but there were others that were higher up that were more of a hike. bring walking shoes so as not to slip or hurt your feet on rocks.! The one star off is for the condition of the 2 bathrooms as you are going up the trails. Garbage everywhere inside & no toilet paper. Filthy toilet seat & rim. Stunk to high heaven!! It didn't look like they had been cleaned in a very long time! So a few tips: * change into swim clothes in your vehicle or wear under your clothes. (You don't want to be changing your clothes in that bathroom!!) ** bring toilet paper, baby wipes and hand sanitizer in case you need to use their bathroom. *** wear good walking shoes to pool areas & water shoes in the springs due to some of the wet rocks being slippery. **** bring in water & snacks ***** if possible come on a weekday to avoid any crowds. read more
4 years ago
The most relaxing experience we've ever had. We drove from Boise, Idaho and it only took 1 hour in a half. We went on a Monday in the late morning and it was more empty than I thought. The closer it is to the steamy orange rocks, the hotter the pool is. The closer it is to the lake will balance out the warm water. We were lucky enough to get a pool that was right in the middle. The view was beautiful too-full of snowy mountains and the sound of the big river. It was so peaceful. read more
3 years ago
Wow beautiful!! So scenic and clean . Water was hot and didn't smell of sulfur but the minerals are amazing helped with easing my pain and put me to sleep like a baby . read more
11 years ago
**As with all my hot spring reviews, I'm starting this out with a plea/admonition: I get a lot of guff from hot springs regulars for my "irresponsible" compulsion to share hot springs info with the world -- I guess the old-timers are afraid that the more people know about these places, the worse condition they will end up in. I steadfastly maintain that sharing is caring, and that to hoard these locations is greedy and selfish...so I'm sharing this info here with the request that, if you visit these springs, PLEASE be respectful and PACK OUT YOUR TRASH!!! I've see so many hot springs strewn with gross litter (including human and pet waste) that it really turns my stomach.** B E A U T I F U L hot springs, right off the Banks-Lowman highway! Seriously, these were among the most beautiful hot springs I've ever visited. You can either camp at the adjacent campground and walk over, or pay $5 to park in the day use area......or, if you're an exceptionally broke dirty hippie like me, you can park at the side of the highway, before the campground, and just walk over. The springs area is to the right as you enter the campground. These springs are right on the banks of the Payette River, with a nice crystal blue lagoon area to swim in if you want to cool off in summer. The hot spring water comes down the cliffs on the south side of the river, collecting into rock-lined, sandy-bottomed pools of varying temps. There are more pools built into the side of the river itself, and even one hot waterfall that pours directly in the lagoon area of the river, so you can be cool and warm all at once! It's AMAZING! There's also a sort of steamy sauna cave, with hot spring water pouring down in front, and lots of little nooks and crannies to explore. A great place for kids -- which means you can't really go nude, as it seems popular with families and is fairly busy (it's very accessible from the highway). Not much shade, but you could easily spend an entire day soaking and lounging here. Even though I HATE soaking in a swimsuit and prefer my hot springs au naturel, I can't help but give this five stars as it is so freaking astonishingly beautiful! I've only been to two more beautiful hot springs in my travels thus far -- Deep Creek in SoCal (see my review), and another, unnamed springs farther north in Idaho, which one of the regulars made me promise not to "tell anyone about." Grr. read more
A magical riverside hot spring, about an hour and 45 minutes from Boise, that makes for a perfect escape to nature. The springs are also the site of a small campsite, and close to lots of hiking trails. The area is clean, easy to access, has a big parking area, and there are lots of pools of varying temperatures to choose from. I really enjoyed my visit and can't wait to go back. read more
10 years ago
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