After spending some time visiting our friends Brian and Kelsea in Boise, Idaho, Dustin and I headed to Stanley for a fun day of hot springs hunting. During our research, we found that there are tons of super cool hot springs in that area. We definitely weren’t disappointed after spending most of our day soaking in the hot therapeutic water. However, we saved the best for last. On our way back to Boise, we stopped by Kirkham Hot Springs, located along Highway 21 in the Boise National Forest. Kirkham Hot Springs is quite a sight to see: multiple hot waterfalls cascading down to the rock pools, the turquoise Payette River and breathtaking mountain backdrop. It is beautiful!
Note: Please make sure to respect this beautiful place and the surrounding areas. Always practice LEAVE NO TRACE. This means no loud music, no graffiti, no taking artifacts or fossilized items, and pack out what you pack in! Please help us protect this place for generations to come!
Stats
Where
Kirkham Hot Springs
7658 ID-21, Lowman, ID 83637 | 44°04’21.1″N 115°32’40.2″W
Parking
You can either park at a decent size, paved lot near the springs or at the dirt area in front of the gate.
Restroom
There is vault toilet
Fee
Kirkham hot springs is free to use, however, it is $5 per car, per day to park, whether you park inside or outside the gate. You can also use your America the Beautiful passes.
Time:
At least 30 minutes
Pet-friendly
Probably best if you leave your pets in the car.
Ideal Time
You can go any time. However, winter and spring storms can make the road impassable. During peak seasons, it can get busy. If you want less people, go early or later in the day, on the weekdays
Weather
Video
Getting to Kirkham Hot Springs
From Boise, Idaho
- Drive north along State Highway 55 to Banks, Idaho for about 38 miles.
- At Banks, turn right (east) onto State Highway 17 (Banks-Lowman Road) and drive 31 miles to Lowman, Idaho.
- At Lowman, turn left at the intersection of State Highway 17 and State Highway 21, then go east towards Stanley, Idaho along State Highway 21
- Kirkham Hot Springs and Campground is located 5 miles further at milepost 77, on the right. You can see the waterfalls of the hot springs from the road.
From Stanley, Idaho
- Take State Highway 21 South toward Boise, Idaho for about 53.6 miles
- Kirkham Hot Springs and Campground will be on the left
When you’re there, you can either drive through the gate, past the wooden bridge, and then go right toward the day-use parking lot. You can also park outside the gate and walk in. There is ample parking right before this gate. According to the Boise National Forest website, you’ll have to pay the $5 per car usage fee whether you park inside or outside this gate. Fortunately, you can use America the Beautiful passes instead.
When is the Best Time to Visit Kirkham Hot Springs?
Although Kirkham Hot Springs is open year-round, the campground is gated during the winter months. Also, the Banks-Lowman Highway and Highway 21 can be very dangerous or inaccessible during winter and spring storms. Always make sure to check road conditions before going. In our opinion, the best time to visit Kirkham Hot Springs is in the summer, and early fall, especially if you like cliff jumping. The river water won’t be too cold for a quick dip. If you want to avoid crowds, we recommend going early or later, and on a weekday.
The Adventure
Kirkham Hot Springs
After parking, we followed a small trail with staircases leading down to the side of the river, where the hot springs are. The trail is short but can be quite slippery and can be dangerous during inclement weather. Make sure you are careful. Please note that nudity is not allowed here.
It’s hard to capture just how beautiful this place is without seeing it in person. There are hot waterfalls cascading down the side of the cliffs, pouring down into the beautiful clear teal water of the Payette River. This was the first time we’d seen steaming hot waterfalls so we were blown away. The runoff from the waterfalls can be very hot so make sure to watch your footing. There are pools below the waterfalls where you can sit and soak. Again, as with any hot springs, make sure to check the pool’s water for temperature before getting in. The temperature varies depending on the pools.
Waterfalls and Cliff Jumping
Even though this place can get crowded, everyone we ran into was super nice. As we were hanging out, talking to a couple of visitors there, one of the older gentlemen told us that we can get under the pouring hot waterfalls. He said it wasn’t that hot. Turns out, the water was actually perfect! It felt like we were taking a hot shower. If the area right beneath the waterfalls gets crowded, you can actually climb over to the other side for more space.
While we were taking our time enjoying the therapeutic water, we also realized that this spot has a fun little cliff dive area. So what you do is go upstream, almost to the bottom of the stairs, from there, you can find a safe spot to jump into the river. The current will carry you downstream and back to the pools on the side of the river. It was super fun. Make sure to stay away from the little springs of water you see coming out of the rock. They can be scalding hot. Dustin burnt himself stepping into one of the puddles by accident.
Hot Springs Ettiquete
- Please do not use soaps, shampoo, solvents, or chemicals in the water, this includes biodegradable products.
- You need to wear a swimsuit. Nudity is not allowed here. Swim diapers are required for young children and please make sure to dispose of them properly.
- Please don’t bring any glass or other sharp items.
- Make sure to take all your trash out.
- Please DO NOT urinate or defecate in the water. Go use the restroom.
- Please keep your pets in the car. Pets are not allowed in the pools or the swim areas.
We had such a blast spending time here. Kirkham Hot Springs was definitely not what we expected. I mean where else can you get hot waterfalls, awesome hot springs pools, gorgeous sceneries, AND a fun cliff jump/floating experience? This place is also a perfect spot for a night soak if you’re staying in the area. We can’t wait to go back here again! If you’re heading to Stanley, don’t forget to check out some of the cool hot springs up there such as Boat Box Hot Springs, Sunbeam Hot Springs, and Valley Creek Hot Springs.
These are the gear that we personally use and find them helpful for this particular adventure. Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.
adventure gear
- Swimsuits (the hot springs are located along the busy road, you don’t want to be nude for this…)
- Towels, change of clothes
- Water! You’ll get dehydrated fast in the hot springs.
- Always good to bring some snacks with you. For healthy and easy snacks, check out some of our recipes.
camera gear
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