Zim's Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Nez Perce Tribe-owned pool complex a few miles east of New Meadows off US-95 — TEMPORARILY CLOSED since Aug 24 2026 for ~4 weeks (maintenance; reopening ~Sep 21-28 — call first); normally open Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm year-round, closed Mon-Tue; $13 adult / $10 senior 50+ / $8 child 3-17; soaking pool 100-105F + swim pool 90-100F.
Field notes — checked September 2026
- Hazard: Artesian source ~142F cooled to pool temps — pool-temperature variance possible
- Hazard: Sulfur tarnishes silver jewelry
- Hazard: Meadows Valley winter driving on US-95
- CLOSED Aug 24 2026 for ~4 weeks maintenance — expected reopening late Sep 2026; verify on Facebook/phone 208-347-2686 before driving (also closed May 5-20 2025 for upgrades — recurring maintenance closures)
- Always closed Mondays & Tuesdays + Christmas Day
- Locker/changing rooms closed for renovation — ARRIVE ALREADY IN SWIMSUIT
- Suit/towel/storage-bin rentals listed by Visit Idaho but Visit McCall says 'no rentals at this time' — bring your own everything
- Max occupancy ~35 people — first-come-first-served; can fill on summer weekends
- RV park is dry-camping only ($25/nt) until remodel finishes (~June 2026); dump station 4 mi south in New Meadows
- Sulfur content can discolor silver jewelry — remove before soaking
- Tribal redevelopment planned (new pools, cabins, RV park rebuild via Idaho grant) — expect construction phases
- Season-pass holders get early entry Wed-Fri 1-3pm, Sat-Sun 12-1pm (per Visit McCall listing)
Current status
Nez Perce Tribe-owned pool complex a few miles east of New Meadows off US-95 — TEMPORARILY CLOSED since Aug 24 2026 for ~4 weeks (maintenance; reopening ~Sep 21-28 — call first); normally open Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm year-round, closed Mon-Tue; $13 adult / $10 senior 50+ / $8 child 3-17; soaking pool 100-105F + swim pool 90-100F.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 6 sources ↓
About this spring
Nez Perce Tribe-owned outdoor pools in Meadows Valley — a 100-105°F soaking pool plus a larger 90-100°F swimming pool fed by a 142°F artesian source cooled with Little Salmon River water; RV park, camping and arcade. Open Wed-Sun 12-8. Fee: $13 adult / $10 senior / $8 child. Closed Mon-Tue; periodic maintenance closures — verify before driving.
Zim's Hot Springs occupies a spot in Meadows Valley a few miles south of New Meadows off US-95 that lies within the Nez Perce Tribe's aboriginal territory — an area once called Chinook Meadows. The Nez Perce used the springs for ceremonial and spiritual purposes and historically used the hot water in fashioning bows from bighorn sheep horns. The Dixon family had run the property since 1976 when the Tribe purchased it on March 22, 2019, and it now operates as a tribal enterprise sharing the site's cultural and medicinal significance. Two outdoor pools are fed by natural mineral water from an artesian well — the record lists a 142°F source — tempered with Little Salmon River water: a 100–105°F soaking pool and a larger 90–100°F swimming pool. A lodge, RV park, campsites, snack bar and arcade are on site. The springs operate year-round but are closed Mondays and Tuesdays, with bather capacity capped at about 35 people.
Directions & trailhead access
Access is restricted; do not use historical directions to plan a visit.
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 resort site means here
A resort spring is a commercial operation: developed pools or tubs with controlled temperatures, changing facilities, and usually day-use fees or lodging packages. Expect posted rules (swimsuits, quiet hours, age limits), staff on site, and in many cases required reservations — especially on weekends and holidays.
Fact sheet
| Source temp (historical) | 105°F |
|---|---|
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $13 — verify |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Visit Idaho — Zims Hot Springs listing (Nez Perce Tribe operation, pool temps, amenities) |
Zim's Hot Springs FAQ
Is Zim's Hot Springs open right now?
Nez Perce Tribe-owned pool complex a few miles east of New Meadows off US-95 — TEMPORARILY CLOSED since Aug 24 2026 for ~4 weeks (maintenance; reopening ~Sep 21-28 — call first); normally open Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm year-round, closed Mon-Tue; $13 adult / $10 senior 50+ / $8 child 3-17; soaking pool 100-105F + swim pool 90-100F. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Can I soak at Zim's Hot Springs?
Nez Perce Tribe-owned pool complex a few miles east of New Meadows off US-95 — TEMPORARILY CLOSED since Aug 24 2026 for ~4 weeks (maintenance; reopening ~Sep 21-28 — call first); normally open Wed-Sun 12pm-8pm year-round, closed Mon-Tue; $13 adult / $10 senior 50+ / $8 child 3-17; soaking pool 100-105F + swim pool 90-100F.
Where can I check access to Zim's Hot Springs?
Check Visit Idaho — Zims Hot Springs listing (Nez Perce Tribe operation, pool temps, amenities): https://visitidaho.org/things-to-do/hot-springs/zims-hot-springs/
Sources & references
- Zims Hot Springs — official site (manager note: closed Aug 24 ~4 weeks; hours Wed-Sun 12-8; prices $13/$10/$8) — operator · 2026-09
- Zims Hot Springs — official additional-pricing page (passes, dry RV $25, camping $15, remodel June '26) — operator · 2026
- Visit Idaho — Zims Hot Springs listing (Nez Perce Tribe operation, pool temps, amenities) — official · 2025
- Visit McCall — Zims listing (season-pass early entry, locker rooms closed for renovation, max occupancy 35) — official · 2025
- Facebook — ZimsNPTE post re: Idaho-grant redevelopment plan and RV utility failures (search-indexed) — community · 2025
Additional references for this record; a source link does not guarantee current conditions.
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