Beautiful Places to Visit in Idaho – Kirkham Hot Springs

Where It Is and How to Get There

Kirkham is located about 75 miles northeast of Boise, roughly 4.5 miles east of the small community of Lowman on Highway 21. The parking area is right off the highway near mile marker 77. From the lot you walk across a bridge and the springs are a short distance down a staircase on the other side.

From Boise there are two ways to get there. Highway 55 north to the Banks-Lowman Road is the more direct route. Highway 21 through the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway takes roughly the same amount of time and is a prettier drive through dense ponderosa pine forest. Either way the total drive is about an hour and 45 minutes to two hours depending on where you’re starting from.

One important note: Highway 21 can be seriously affected by ice, snow, and rockfall between November and April. Always check road conditions before making the drive in winter or early spring.

What You’ll Find When You Get There

“DSC01671” by Jason W. is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

The springs sit on a hillside above the South Fork Payette River. Geothermal water seeps out of the ground at temperatures between 120 and 135 degrees and flows down the rocky slope, cooling as it goes. By the time it reaches the pools along the riverbank, the temperature has dropped to somewhere between 95 and 110 degrees depending on which pool you’re in and how close it is to the cold river.

There are several pools scattered across the area. The upper pools run hotter. The ones closer to the river are cooler. A wooden staircase leads down from the parking area to the pool level. The rocks and stairs are slippery when wet, so footwear with some grip makes a real difference down here.

The feature most people remember is the hot waterfall. Geothermal water falls directly off the hillside at around 110 degrees into the pool area below. It’s the kind of thing that sounds better than you expect it to and then actually delivers.

The South Fork Payette runs fast and cold just below the pools. In spring when snowmelt is high, river water can encroach on the lower pools and cool them down considerably. Late summer and fall tend to offer the most consistent pool temperatures.

A Few Things to Know Before You Go

“DSC01669” by Jason W. is licensed under CC BY 2.0. Modified.

Kirkham is day-use only. It opens at 7am and closes at 9pm. There’s a $5 per vehicle parking fee.

Swimsuits are required. This is a family-friendly site right next to a state highway and the U.S. Forest Service enforces it. Nudity isn’t permitted.

Dogs are allowed on leash but can’t go in the pools or the runoff areas.

No soap, shampoo, or any kind of detergent in the water. The springs are a natural geothermal system and introducing foreign substances affects the water chemistry.

There’s a vault toilet near the parking area. That’s the extent of the facilities. There’s no changing room, no shower, and no concession stand, so it’s important to plan accordingly.

When to Go

Early morning on a weekday is the best time to visit in summer. Kirkham is popular, it’s close to Boise, and it fills up fast on weekends. Arriving before 8am gives you the best chance of having the pools mostly to yourself.

Fall is the season most people who visit regularly tend to prefer. The crowds thin out after Labor Day, the air gets cool enough that the steam is more visible, and lower river levels in autumn open up more pool options along the bank. The surrounding forest in late September and early October adds to it.

Winter visits are quieter but require preparation. The walk from the parking lot to the pools is cold and road conditions can be unpredictable. Once you’re in the water it’s a completely different story. Steam, snow on the hillsides, and an empty canyon make for a memorable experience.

Spring is the least predictable season. High water on the Payette can flood the lower pools and cool them significantly. The upper pools and the waterfall are still accessible but the lower pool experience varies depending on the year and the snowpack.

Nearby Attractions

• Pine Flats Hot Springs: About 14 minutes away along the South Fork Payette. A shorter walk from the road leads to a waterfall-fed pool with fewer crowds than Kirkham.

• Bonneville Hot Springs: About 20 minutes from Kirkham. More riverside pools with significantly less foot traffic.

• Idaho City: About 40 miles southwest on Highway 21. A historic gold mining town worth a stop for lunch or a quick walk around.

• Idaho’s Mammoth Cave: About two hours south near Shoshone. A self-guided tour through one of the largest volcanic lava tubes open to the public in the United States.

Why Kirkham Is a Beautiful Place to Visit in Idaho

“Hot Springs” by j.a.woodhouse is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Kirkham isn’t the most remote hot spring in Idaho and it isn’t the least visited. What it is, is one of the most complete natural hot spring experiences in the state. Multiple pools at different temperatures, a hot waterfall, a cold river running alongside it, and a forested canyon setting that doesn’t require a long hike or a high clearance vehicle to reach.

It’s the kind of place that works equally well as a planned destination or a spontaneous stop on the way to somewhere else. Either way, it tends to be one of the more memorable stops on any central Idaho road trip. See our complete guide to things to do in Idaho for more destinations worth adding to your itinerary.

10 Quick Facts About Kirkham Hot Springs

• Location: Along Highway 21 in the Boise National Forest, approximately 75 miles northeast of Boise and 4.5 miles east of Lowman near mile marker 77.

• Elevation: Approximately 4,000 feet along the South Fork Payette River.

• Source Temperature: Geothermal water emerges from the hillside at 120 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Pool Temperatures: Soaking pools range from approximately 95 to 110 degrees, depending on proximity to the source and the river.

• Hot Waterfall: A natural hot waterfall falls off the hillside at approximately 110 degrees into the pool area below.

• Hours: Open daily from 7am to 9pm. Day-use only. No overnight stays at the hot springs.

• Fees: A $5 per vehicle day-use parking fee applies. Interagency passes are accepted.

• Swimsuits Required: Clothing is mandatory at all times. Kirkham is a family-friendly site managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

• Pets: Dogs are welcome on leash but are not permitted in the pools or runoff areas.

• Best Time to Visit: Early morning on weekdays in summer, or anytime in fall after Labor Day when crowds thin and river levels drop.