Sunflower Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Sunflower Hot Springs is a wild soak in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho: 149 F water at the source (1980 survey), snow likely November to April.
- Wild
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 149 F at the source, not the poolQuoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry SUNFLOWER HOT SPRINGS
- Fee
- Not paying a recreation fee is prohibited, and the fine for a first offense of nonpayment may not exceed $100. Forest Service general rule
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026)What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Permit or reservation
- None posted by the agencyChecked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
- Clothing
- Being publicly nude is prohibited on a national forest only when an order says so; the regulation lists it among the things a forest order can prohibit. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Dogs
- At Forest Service developed recreation sites, an animal other than a service animal must be crated, caged, on a leash of 6 feet or less, or otherwise under physical restrictive control, and may not be brought into a swimming area. Forest Service general rule
What the Forest Service says
Exact wording: Forest Service rules page.
- Snow
- Likely November to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Salmon-Challis National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Sunflower Hot Springs (Middle Fork of the Salmon River, mile 33.6)
- Start
- Sunflower Hot Springs (Middle Fork of the Salmon River, mile 33.6)44.72922, -114.99361
Water temperature
149 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 SUNFLOWER HOT SPRINGS
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Sunflower Hot Springs?
No fee posted for this spring that we found (checked Oct 13, 2026). Forest Service general rule
Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Do you need a permit or reservation for Sunflower Hot Springs?
None is posted. not posted
Checked on the Forest Service, checked Oct 14, 2026
Clothing and dogs
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Forest Service general rule Forest Service general rule: see The facts.
Seasons and winter access
Snow likely November to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Before you go
- No permit or reservation is posted.
- Snow likely November to April.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Salmon-Challis National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
No drive time: reached by raft on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River (river mile 33.6).
From nwrafting.com, checked Oct 13, 2026
Both open at the start, Sunflower Hot Springs (Middle Fork of the Salmon River, mile 33.6), not at the pool.
Nearby hot springs (0)
All 20 hot springs in IdahoPacific Northwest hot springs (36)
Questions
Is Sunflower Hot Springs free?
Is Sunflower Hot Springs clothing optional?
Can I bring my dog?
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
- nwrafting.com/middle-fork-of-the-salmon/hot-springs-on-the-middle-f...: accessChecked Oct 13, 2026
- Snow months (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule
- Photo: Rex Parker, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0Checked by eye Oct 12, 2026