Trail Creek Hot Springs
Checked October 2026 · Sources
Trail Creek Hot Springs is a wild soak in the Boise National Forest, Idaho, about 71 minutes' drive from McCall: 122 F water at the source (1980 survey), roadside access, snow likely October to April.
- Wild
- Roadside
about 71 min
47.1 mi from McCall, no traffic
Drive times computed with GraphHopper; map data OpenStreetMap contributors.
The facts
- Water
- 122 F at the source, not the poolQuoted from the NOAA Thermal Springs List, checked Oct 11, 2026 (1980 survey), entry TRAIL CREEK HOT SPRING
- Walk
- Roadside: 0 miles one way from road access on Warm Lake RoadComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route · start 44.62753, -115.75000
- 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 October to AprilComputed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service, Boise National Forest
- Last checked
- October 2026
Trail and trailhead
Road access (Warm Lake Road)
- Distance
- Roadside, 0 milesComputed on an OpenStreetMap foot route
- Start
- Road access (Warm Lake Road)44.62753, -115.75000
Water temperature
122 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 TRAIL CREEK HOT SPRING
Fees and rules
Do you have to pay to go to Trail Creek 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 Trail Creek 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 October to April at the spring.
Computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasons
Road and gate closures: check Forest Service alerts, Boise National Forest.
Before you go
- No permit or reservation is posted.
- Snow likely October to April.
- Check Forest Service alerts, Boise National Forest before you drive.
Getting there
Drive times from each town's center, no traffic (computed).
Both open at the start, road access on Warm Lake Road, not at the pool.
Nearby hot springs (6)
All 20 hot springs in IdahoPacific Northwest hot springs (36)
Questions
Is Trail Creek Hot Springs free?
How long is the hike to Trail Creek Hot Springs?
Is Trail Creek 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
- Walk: roadside, computed on an OpenStreetMap foot route (FOSSGIS routing, foot profile) from 44.62753, -115.75000Map data OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL
- Drive times from McCall, Boise, Stanley: computed with GraphHopper 11.1, car profile, no trafficOpenStreetMap extract of Oct 12, 2026
- Snow months (Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr): computed from NOAA snowfall, 2023 to 2026 seasonsMethod page explains the rule