Atlanta Hot Springs

Camas County, Idaho · Near Fairfield
43.8110°N, 115.1160°W · 5,430 ft
140°F 29°F air · Good soaking weather 5,430 ft Roadside Camping nearby (0.8 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 140°F, the source water at Atlanta Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Aerial view of the ground around Atlanta Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Atlanta Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Atlanta Hot Springs is a roadside hot spring in Camas County, Idaho, far from anything, with Fairfield the nearest town at thirty-five miles or so. The water on file sits right at the top of the hot range, a hair short of what we call scalding. Do not put your hand straight in. Atlanta Cabin is the listed camping, under a mile away. Nobody has filled in owner or access.

Location

This is deep-snow country. The winter total on record runs close to fifteen feet, and precipitation overall is generous. Elevation is mid-mountain, a bit over five thousand feet. The road is under three hundred feet off. A 1981 sample shows low dissolved solids. No land unit is named.

Our climate ranking puts the winter months first, which at this snowfall means reaching a roadside spring may come down to a very long road. Check road status in winter. Atlanta Cabin is the place to stay on record. Skin burns at this temperature. Test it with a foot, slowly. Mix in cooler water if the site lets you. Access is unverified.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Atlanta Hot Springs.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
224 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
159 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 2½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 95% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
26°
Jan
27°
Feb
33°
Mar
38°
Apr
45°
May
57°
Jun
68°
Jul
68°
Aug
58°
Sep
43°
Oct
31°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 33.0 in Annual Snow: 174.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 23°F · Water 140°F · +117° contrast
January Air 26°F · Water 140°F · +114° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 140°F · +113° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
29°F
SSE 3.7 mph 80% Good soaking weather
Today 70° Low 41° Sunny
Spring is +70° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 45° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +64° warmer
Thursday 68° Low 41° Showers And Thunderstorms 82% precip
Spring is +72° warmer
Friday 68° Low 39° Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers 27% precip
Spring is +72° warmer
Saturday 71° Low 41° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +69° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1981-09-01

The water at Atlanta Hot Springs contains 235 mg/L total dissolved solids.

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Atlanta Cabin 0.8 mi away

Overview Atlanta Cabin is located in the old mining town of Atlanta, Idaho, at an elevation of 5,800 feet. It is part of a historic ranger station compound built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Forest Service in 1933. This compound, known as the Atlanta Ranger Station Historic District, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The roads to the cabin are generally well-maintained, although there are some rough washboard sections. Guests can drive to the cabin, but shoul...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,430 ft

Atlanta Hot Springs sits at 5,430 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 22% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
140°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 140°F (60°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +97°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 286 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Atlanta Hot Springs?
Atlanta Hot Springs has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Atlanta Hot Springs located?
Atlanta Hot Springs is located in Camas County, Idaho at 5,430 feet elevation, near Fairfield. Coordinates: 43.8110°N, 115.1160°W.
How do I get to Atlanta Hot Springs?
Atlanta Hot Springs has Roadside road access (286 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Atlanta Hot Springs?
Yes, Atlanta Cabin is located nearby (0.8 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Atlanta Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids. Total dissolved solids measure 235 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Atlanta Hot Springs?
With care. At 140°F Atlanta Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.