Goldbug Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Goldbug Hot Springs is a primitive hot spring listed near Salmon, Idaho. Reported soak temperature: 100°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Stop on Idaho Hot Springs Loop — see all stops, ordered south to north.
Current status
Open year-round; ~3.6-4 mi round-trip hike gaining ~900 ft from a trailhead reached via a private-property easement; camping banned within 500 ft of the springs by Forest Order through March 2028.
Checked June 2026 · verified against an official source · 4 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
A town room before or after the hike; the pools and trailhead have no lodging.
Salmon is about 19 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via BLM — Goldbug Hot Springs.
- Cost: Reported free access — fees and permits can change, confirm before visiting.
- Getting there: Reported 2 mi trail — confirm the route, road, and seasonal access.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 100°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing-optional; reported dog-friendly.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None required
- Best time to go: Weekday mornings; avoid summer midday heat for the uphill hike and holiday weekends for crowds
- Clothing reality: No official posted dress code on BLM/USFS pages; clothing-optional is customary at the pools (bring a suit — heavy mixed crowds). Public nudity is technically prosecutable under Idaho law but tolerated in practice at the springs.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: spotty — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Strenuous for a 'short' hike — steep initial climb and very steep final pitch; not suitable for mobility-limited visitors
- First 1/4 mile crosses private property via easement — stay on path, leash dogs, respect posted signs or access could be revoked
- No camping or sleeping in vehicles at the trailhead; limited parking fills on weekends
- Camping prohibited within 500 ft of the springs (Forest Order 04-13-23-005, in effect Mar 30 2023–Mar 30 2028)
- Microspikes recommended in winter — steep upper pitch ices over
- Vault toilet at trailhead; no water
- Hazard: Easement depends on landowner goodwill — violations jeopardize access
- Hazard: Steep icy trail in winter
- Hazard: Very heavy use; pack-out expected
About this spring
BLM-managed undeveloped hot spring in Salmon-Challis National Forest along Warm Springs Creek, ~23 miles south of Salmon. About six waterfall-fed, boulder/sand-bottomed pools (~90-105°F) sit in a canyon at ~6,200 ft with views over the Salmon River valley — one of Idaho's most popular backcountry soaks. Stay on trail and leash dogs across the private-property easement. No camping at trailhead or near springs. Steep final pitch — microspikes in winter.
Goldbug Hot Springs is a hot spring located in the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 20 miles south of Salmon, Idaho. The spring is along Warm Spring Creek and there are about six waterfall-fed pools. Goldbug is listed as having a temperature of 113 °F (45 °C), but the temperature of the pools will vary depending on the time of year. The pools have a sand/gravel bottom and are dammed by boulders. Due to the hike and remoteness of the trailhead, it is not usually crowded. Water from Goldbug Hot Springs flows into Warm Springs Creek, which flows into the Salmon River.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Goldbug Hot Springs”, available under CC BY-SA.
Directions & trailhead access
From US-93 ~23 miles south of Salmon (near Elk Bend), turn east onto Warm Springs Road ~0.3 mi to the trailhead; hike ~2 miles up (steep final climb, ~900-1,400 ft gain).
Idaho geothermal context
Idaho's thermal water rides the old track of the Yellowstone hotspot across the Snake River Plain and surfaces along faults in the surrounding mountains. Many of the best soaks are roadside or river-access pools inside national forests — including springs that only emerge when river levels drop. Backcountry sites demand real navigation skills and long dirt-road drives.
What a primitive site means here
Primitive springs have no facilities: no changing rooms, no trash service, often no maintained road to the pool. Expect natural rock or gravel bottoms, water temperature that varies by spot and season, and other visitors who may treat the site informally. Pack out everything you bring, test the water before entering, and leave the pool cleaner than you found it.
Best time to visit
June – September (Late Spring through Early Autumn)High-altitude mountain access routes and backcountry trailheads can experience seasonal snowpack from November through May. Peak summer and early autumn provide clear trail access and pleasant evening soak conditions.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 100°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 110°F |
| Hiking distance | 2 miles (moderate) |
| Access fee | Reported free — verify locally |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing-optional |
| Pet policy | Reported dog-friendly |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | BLM — Goldbug Hot Springs |
Goldbug Hot Springs FAQ
Is Goldbug Hot Springs open right now?
Open year-round; ~3.6-4 mi round-trip hike gaining ~900 ft from a trailhead reached via a private-property easement; camping banned within 500 ft of the springs by Forest Order through March 2028. (Status verified against an official source, last checked June 2026.)
Is Goldbug Hot Springs free?
Goldbug Hot Springs is listed as free to access in Lemhi County, Idaho. Fees and rules change — verify current status with the land manager before visiting.
What temperature is Goldbug Hot Springs?
Goldbug Hot Springs has a reported soak temperature of 100°F and a historical source temperature of 110°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Goldbug Hot Springs clothing optional?
Goldbug Hot Springs is listed as traditionally clothing-optional in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How far is the hike to Goldbug Hot Springs?
The hike to Goldbug Hot Springs near Salmon, Idaho is a 2-mile walk (moderate) from the designated vehicle access area, per public trail records.
Where to stay in Salmon
Stay in Salmon before or after the Goldbug hike. The trailhead at Elk Bend is south of town on US-93; there are no rooms at the pools.
Salmon is about 19 mi from the spring (straight line).
No camping within 500 feet of the springs.
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- BLM — Goldbug Hot Springs — official · 2026
- Salmon-Challis NF — Gold Bug Hot Spring Occupancy and Use order 04-13-23-005 — official · 2026-06
- AllTrails — Goldbug (Elk Bend) Hot Springs — community · 2026
- KIVI — Gold Bug Hot Springs backroads feature — news · 2024
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
Your private trip notes
Saved only in this browser — not published or shared.No private notes yet
Keep access details and observations for your own planning.