Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15)
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Directory data reviewed September 2026
Current status
Checked September 2026 · based on recent visitor reportsRoadside soaking pool (rock-mortared, typically ~101-107F) right beside the South Fork Salmon River on FS Road 474 (South Fork Rd) NE of Cascade in the Payette NF Krassel Ranger District; the ~117F source feeds one pool that occasionally submerges during spring runoff — open year-round in principle but winter travel needs 4x4/chains on snow-covered forest roads.
Sources: IdahoHotSprings.com — Mile-16/Fire Crew (Holdover) page (Al Borup history, 101-107F pool, seasonal submersion, winter access) (community · 2010-06) · IdahoHotSprings.com — statewide listing ('Fire Crew (Holdover)') (community · 2010) · SoakingSprings.com — Holdover Hot Spring (117F source, SF Salmon River Rd, Payette NF) (community · 2026-09) · HotSpringsGuy — Molly's/Vulcan/Holdover trip report (runoff + road construction) (community · 2010-07) · LakeQuality.org — Holdover Hot Spring (USGS/NOAA 117F survey figure) (community · 2025)
Roadside soaking pool (rock-mortared, typically ~101-107F) right beside the South Fork Salmon River on FS Road 474 (South Fork Rd) NE of Cascade in the Payette NF Krassel Ranger District; the ~117F source feeds one pool that occasionally submerges during spring runoff — open year-round in principle but winter travel needs 4x4/chains on snow-covered forest roads.
Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) is a primitive hot spring listed near McCall, Idaho. Reported soak temperature: 117°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Before you go — visit checklist
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via IdahoHotSprings.com — Mile-16/Fire Crew (Holdover) page (Al Borup history, 101-107F pool, seasonal submersion, winter access).
- Cost: Reported free access — fees and permits can change, confirm before visiting.
- Getting there: No verified hike distance on record — confirm the route and road conditions.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 117°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Clothing policy unknown — verify locally; pets reported not allowed — confirm current rules.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None — National Forest roadside pullout, no fee.
- Best time to go: Summer and fall after runoff; winter soaking possible for the well-equipped. Heavy seasonal use — weekdays quieter.
- Clothing reality: No official policy; roadside pool next to a traveled forest road — swimsuits/normal clothing the norm; occasional clothing-optional use reported on quiet weekdays.
- Cell service: none — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Roadside pool with a short scramble to the riverbank — among the easier wild soaks to reach, but no developed path/ADA features.
- Name tangle: USGS name is Holdover Hot Spring; also known as Mile-15/Mile-16 Hot Spring and 'Fire Crew' (named for Krassel fire-crew chief Al Borup who built the pool in 1980-81)
- Single rock-mortared pool right beside the river — soaks at ~101-107F when river mixing is right; the vent itself is ~117F
- Pool occasionally submerges during spring runoff — visit summer/fall
- Roadside pullout on SF Salmon River Rd (FS-474 N), roughly mile 15-16 — park carefully, road is narrow
- Winter access technically possible but Warm Lake Hwy (NF-22) + FS-474 are narrow, slick, snow-covered — 4x4 and chains required
- No camping AT the spring; official/primitive NF campsites nearby
- Corridor has had periodic road construction/closures (culvert replacements, fire restoration) — check Payette NF Krassel RD alerts before driving
- Hazard: Seasonal submersion during spring runoff — pool can be under cold river water
- Hazard: 117F source hotter than the pool — test before entering
- Hazard: Narrow snow-covered mountain roads in winter (4x4/chains)
- Hazard: Traffic/roadside parking exposure on FS-474
Fact Sheet & Geothermal Specifications
| Reported Soak Temp | 117°F |
|---|---|
| Source Temp (Historical) | 117°F |
| Trail Access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access Fee | Reported Free — Verify Locally |
| Clothing Policy | Unknown — Verify Locally |
| Pet Policy | Reported No Pets |
| Geothermal Data Reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check Land Status | IdahoHotSprings.com — Mile-16/Fire Crew (Holdover) page (Al Borup history, 101-107F pool, seasonal submersion, winter access) |
Detailed Description
Small roadside thermal spring on Payette National Forest land along the South Fork Salmon River Road ~20+ mi from McCall — a ~117°F USGS-logged site with very low flow. Let water cool before entering. 117°F water — test before entering. Extreme snowfall; likely inaccessible mid-winter. Trickle flow.
About Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15)
Holdover Hot Spring — better known locally as Mile 15 Hot Spring — is a USGS-logged thermal site on Payette National Forest land along the South Fork Salmon River Road in Valley County, a little over twenty miles from McCall. Field crews measured 116.6°F at the source in June 1980 and a discharge of just 0.06 cubic feet per second — a trickle — so any soaking depends entirely on that scant flow having time to cool. The 1980 water sample was strongly alkaline (pH 9.6) with about 53 mg/L of sodium.
The spring sits roughly a hundred yards off the road in a steep, timbered canyon that averages well over 170 inches of snow a year, so despite its roadside position the site is effectively inaccessible through the cold months. Johnson Creek Guard Station, a reservable 1922 Forest Service cabin, lies about 12 miles away.
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.
Directions & Trailhead Access
South Fork Salmon River Road south of Warm Lake, Valley County; roadside at ~mile 15.
Seasonal Soaking & Best Time to Visit
Pool temperatures and access can change with weather and season. Outdoor ambient temperatures fluctuate significantly across Idaho. Late spring through autumn offers the most comfortable road access.
Sources & References
- IdahoHotSprings.com — Mile-16/Fire Crew (Holdover) page (Al Borup history, 101-107F pool, seasonal submersion, winter access) — community · 2010-06
- IdahoHotSprings.com — statewide listing ('Fire Crew (Holdover)') — community · 2010
- SoakingSprings.com — Holdover Hot Spring (117F source, SF Salmon River Rd, Payette NF) — community · 2026-09
- HotSpringsGuy — Molly's/Vulcan/Holdover trip report (runoff + road construction) — community · 2010-07
- LakeQuality.org — Holdover Hot Spring (USGS/NOAA 117F survey figure) — community · 2025
Current access has not been independently confirmed for this visit. Check the linked sources before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
Frequently Asked Questions: Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15)
Is Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) open right now?+
Roadside soaking pool (rock-mortared, typically ~101-107F) right beside the South Fork Salmon River on FS Road 474 (South Fork Rd) NE of Cascade in the Payette NF Krassel Ranger District; the ~117F source feeds one pool that occasionally submerges during spring runoff — open year-round in principle but winter travel needs 4x4/chains on snow-covered forest roads. (Status based on recent visitor reports, last checked September 2026.)
Is Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) free?+
Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) is listed as free to access in Valley County, Idaho. Fees and rules change — verify current status with the land manager before visiting.
What temperature is Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15)?+
Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) has a reported soak temperature of 117°F and a historical source temperature of 117°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) clothing optional?+
Directory records do not confirm the clothing policy at Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) — verify current rules before visiting.
How do you access Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15)?+
Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15) is a recorded location in Valley County. Exact access, parking, and land status are not verified — check with the local land manager (BLM/USFS/NPS) before visiting.
Where to Stay Near Holdover Hot Spring (Mile 15)
Looking for accommodations near Idaho Lodging & Cabins? Select your travel dates below to search cabins, mountain lodges, and hotels on Booking.com.
Disclosure: HotSpringsFind may earn a commission from qualifying bookings made through these links — at no extra cost to you.
Your private trip notes
Saved only in this browser. Notes are not published or sent to other visitors.No private notes saved
Keep access details and observations for your own planning.