Goldbug Hot Springs

Checked October 2026 · Sources

Goldbug Hot Springs is a free wild soak in Lemhi County, Idaho, about 124 minutes' drive from Stanley: 113 F water at the source (1980 survey), a 1.79-mile walk from Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead, snow likely December to April.

Free
Wild
Walk 1.79 mi

Directions

Drive timecomputed

about 2 h 4 min
93.2 mi from Stanley, no traffic

From your town or ZIP

Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.

The facts

Water: 113 F at the source, not the pool
Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry GOLDBUG HOT SPRING
Walk: 1.79 miles one way from Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 44.89811, -113.95702
Fee: "No fees"
Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 12, 2026
Permit or reservation: None posted by the agency
Checked on the BLM, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing: The BLM rules of conduct in 43 CFR 8365 contain no sentence about clothing or nudity (checked 2026-10-13 by reading the full text of subpart 8365). BLM general rule
What the BLM says
Exact wording: BLM rules page.
Dogs: "Dogs must be leashed while crossing the private property."
Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 12, 2026
Snow: Likely December to April
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Managed by: Bureau of Land Management, Salmon Field Office
Closures: Forest Service alerts, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Last checked: October 2026

Trail and trailhead

Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead

The BLM says:

"Access to this hot springs requires a hike from the trailhead which starts at the end of the county road. The first 1/4 mile of the trail passes through private property with public access provided by an easement."

Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 14, 2026

Distance: 1.79 mile one way
Computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
Climb: About 950 ft up and 50 ft down, one way
Computed from USGS 3DEP elevations at 27 points on our route, Oct 14, 2026 (rough)
Start: Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead
44.89811, -113.95702

Water temperature

113 F at the source, from NOAA's Thermal Springs List (1980 survey). That is where the water leaves the ground; the pool you sit in is cooler.

Quoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry GOLDBUG HOT SPRING

Fees and rules

Do you have to pay to go to Goldbug Hot Springs?

No.

"No fees"

Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 12, 2026

Do you need a permit or reservation for Goldbug Hot Springs?

None is posted. not posted

Checked on the BLM, checked Oct 14, 2026

Clothing and dogs

Clothing

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

Dogs

"Dogs must be leashed while crossing the private property."

Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 12, 2026

Seasons and winter access

Snow likely December to April at the spring.

Snow likelySnow not likely

Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons

Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Salmon-Challis National Forest.

Before you go

Free: No fees
No permit or reservation is posted.
Snow likely December to April.
Dogs: Dogs must be leashed while crossing the private property.
Check Forest Service alerts, Salmon-Challis National Forest before you drive.

Getting there

Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).

Stanley, IdahoHot springs near Stanleyabout 2 h 4 min93.2 mi Sun Valley, IdahoHot springs near Sun Valleyabout 2 h 56 min110.2 mi Ketchum, IdahoHot springs near Ketchumabout 2 h 57 min111.5 mi

Google Maps Apple Maps

Both open at the start, Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead, not at the pool.

Idaho. Tap the map for directions. Outline: US Census, public domain.

Nearby hot springs (5)

Sunbeam Hot SpringsNear Stanley · Idahoabout 1 h 45 mindrive Sacajawea Hot SpringsNear Stanley · Idahoabout 3 hdrive Kirkham Hot SpringsNear Stanley · Idahoabout 3 h 3 mindrive Russian John Warm SpringNear Ketchum · Idahoabout 3 h 6 mindrive Horse Creek Hot SpringsNear Missoula · Idahoabout 3 h 26 mindrive

All 20 hot springs in Idaho Pacific Northwest hot springs (36)

Questions

Is Goldbug Hot Springs free?

Yes.

"No fees"

Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 12, 2026

How long is the hike to Goldbug Hot Springs?

1.79 miles one way from Goldbug Hot Springs Trailhead, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route.

Is Goldbug Hot Springs clothing optional?

BLM general rule BLM general rule: see The facts.

Can I bring my dog?

"Dogs must be leashed while crossing the private property."

Quoted from the BLM, checked Oct 12, 2026

Sources and last checked

Page last checked October 2026 (the oldest date below).

ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/iso: water temperatureChecked Oct 11, 2026
blm.gov/visit/goldbug-hot-springs: fee, dogs, trailChecked Oct 12, 2026 and Oct 14, 2026
Walk: 1.79 mi, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 44.89811, -113.95702Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
Drive times from Stanley, Sun Valley, Ketchum: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
Snow months (Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
Climb: computed from USGS 3DEP elevations along our OpenStreetMap foot routeComputed Oct 14, 2026
Photo: Paul Larkin oversteer95, Wikimedia Commons, CC0Checked by eye Oct 12, 2026

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