Banbury Hot Spring

Twin Falls County, Idaho · Near Buhl
42.6880°N, 114.8260°W · 2,906 ft
138°F 41°F air · Good soaking weather 2,906 ft Roadside
Aerial view of the ground around Banbury Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Banbury Hot Spring
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.

Seven miles from Buhl in Twin Falls County, Idaho, Banbury Hot Spring sits at low elevation for the state. The water is hot, nearly scalding, and the chemistry is current, sampled in 2022. Roadside, with the road around 250 feet away. Ownership and access are absent from the record.

Location

Dry low country, mild on average. Under a foot of precipitation and a little over a foot of snow, so winter is less of an obstacle than it is in the mountains. The walk is negligible. That 2022 sample found alkaline water, low in dissolved solids. Nothing is recorded for land unit or campground.

Winter scores best by climate, and low snowfall makes winter practical here. The water is two degrees shy of the scalding line, so treat it as scalding. A careless hand will get burned. Ease in. Roadside access takes the walking out of the question. Camping and fees: nothing listed. The 2022 sample is recent by the standards of these records. Access status is blank.

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 Banbury Hot Spring.

Setting
Valley floor
Gentle slopes rise on both sides.
Highest ground nearby
202 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
95 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 40% 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
31°
Jan
37°
Feb
45°
Mar
52°
Apr
62°
May
72°
Jun
82°
Jul
80°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.5 in Annual Snow: 14.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 31°F · Water 138°F · +107° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 138°F · +107° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 138°F · +101° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
41°F
Mostly Clear 70% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 79° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +59° warmer
Wednesday 83° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +55° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 50° Slight Chance Rain Showers 18% precip
Spring is +60° warmer
Friday 77° Low 47° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 45° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 2022-09-27

The water at Banbury Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.4) with 285 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 8.4 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 43 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 19 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 24 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 42 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 27 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Temperature
138°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 138°F (59°C)
Avg Air Temp 55°F
Above Ambient +83°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 249 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Banbury Hot Spring?
Banbury Hot Spring has a water temperature of 138°F (59°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Banbury Hot Spring located?
Banbury Hot Spring is located in Twin Falls County, Idaho at 2,906 feet elevation, near Buhl. Coordinates: 42.6880°N, 114.8260°W.
How do I get to Banbury Hot Spring?
Banbury Hot Spring has Roadside road access (249 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Banbury Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.4 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 285 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Banbury Hot Spring?
With care. At 138°F Banbury Hot Spring 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.