Cleveland Hot Springs

Franklin County, Idaho · Near Preston
42.3330°N, 111.7160°W · 4,900 ft
151°F 30°F air · Good soaking weather 4,900 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (3.5 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 151°F, the source water at Cleveland 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 Cleveland Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Cleveland 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.

Cleveland Hot Springs in Franklin County surfaces at 151 degrees, scalding, well past anything you could soak in without mixing. It sits near Maple Grove Road, about 18 miles from Preston in the southeast corner of Idaho. Ownership and public access are both unrecorded. Maple Grove Campground is a few miles away.

Location

A short walk of under five hundred feet from Maple Grove Road gets you there. The elevation is a shade under five thousand feet. Winters bring about seven feet of snow, with moderate wetness outside the snow season. Nothing on file describes the terrain beyond that, and no photo exists to check against.

Winter is listed as the best season, with the usual question about snow on the road. Maple Grove Campground at three and a half miles is the closest camping. The temperature reading is from 1972 and the water is hot enough to scald, so do not assume anything about pool conditions from a fifty year old number. Access is not on record.

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 Cleveland Hot Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the south.
Highest ground nearby
252 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
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
124 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 75% 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
24°
Jan
28°
Feb
36°
Mar
42°
Apr
53°
May
65°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
63°
Sep
48°
Oct
34°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.0 in Annual Snow: 82.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 23°F · Water 151°F · +128° contrast
January Air 24°F · Water 151°F · +127° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 151°F · +124° contrast
December offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
30°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 76° Low 48° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +75° warmer
Wednesday 79° Low 52° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 27% precip
Spring is +72° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 47° Light Rain Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 72% precip
Spring is +75° warmer
Friday 73° Low 42° Sunny 14% precip
Spring is +78° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 42° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +77° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-05-10

The water at Cleveland Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 89 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 24 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 490 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 260 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 630 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Maple Grove Campground 3.5 mi away

Campground rules and regulations are posted at the site. There are no dumpsters on site, visitors must pack in and out their trash. Campsites: 12 developed sites--- At this time, there is not a reservation system in place for the campsites. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. Overnight Camping Fees: $5.00 per vehicle/ per night This site is equipped picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, horseshoe pits, and boat ramp with a dock. There is no Day-use allowed and facilities a...

Fee $5/vehicle/night
Stay limit 14 Days
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
151°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 151°F (66°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +104°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Maple Grove Road
Distance to Road 474 ft

Hike 1 waterfall near Cleveland Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Cleveland Hot Springs, Idaho.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Cleveland Hot Springs?
Cleveland Hot Springs has a water temperature of 151°F (66°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Cleveland Hot Springs located?
Cleveland Hot Springs is located in Franklin County, Idaho at 4,900 feet elevation, near Preston. Coordinates: 42.3330°N, 111.7160°W.
How do I get to Cleveland Hot Springs?
Cleveland Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Maple Grove Road (474 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Cleveland Hot Springs?
Yes, Maple Grove Campground is located nearby (3.5 miles away). $5/vehicle/night.
What minerals are in the water at Cleveland Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.3 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Cleveland Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Cleveland Hot Springs reaches 151°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS