Corder Hot Spring

Boise County, Idaho · Near Idaho City
44.0450°N, 115.8420°W · 3,200 ft
131°F 33°F air · Good soaking weather 3,200 ft Roadside Camping nearby (3.9 mi)

Corder Hot Spring comes up within a few steps of Fry Drive, nine feet from the road by the record, in Boise County about fifteen miles from Idaho City. The water is hot, well past comfortable, the kind you would have to cool before sitting in. The land owner is not on file and there is no public access entry, so the roadside location settles nothing about who may use it.

Location

There is no approach to describe. The road runs past it. Elevation is modest, a bit over three thousand feet. The winters bring roughly nine feet of snow, enough to matter. A campground named Hot Springs is the nearest camping, around four miles away. Precipitation for the year is moderate. A photo exists for this site.

Hot at the source, so test before touching. Winter is listed as the best window in the record. The pH and mineral figures trace to a November 1978 sample. Since access is not on record, assume nothing about permission and ask locally. The Hot Springs campground is where you would camp.

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 Corder Hot Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Corder Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Corder 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.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
448 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
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
129 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 79% 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
28°
Jan
32°
Feb
38°
Mar
44°
Apr
54°
May
64°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
63°
Sep
49°
Oct
36°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 30.9 in Annual Snow: 105.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 27°F · Water 131°F · +104° contrast
January Air 28°F · Water 131°F · +103° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 131°F · +99° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
33°F
NW 0.0 mph 98% Good soaking weather
Today 76° Low 41° Sunny
Spring is +55° warmer
Wednesday 84° Low 46° Sunny
Spring is +47° warmer
Thursday 75° Low 43° Rain Showers Likely 74% precip
Spring is +56° warmer
Friday 75° Low 42° Areas Of Fog 20% precip
Spring is +56° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 43° Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +52° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-11-27

The water at Corder Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.2).

pH 9.2 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 2 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 75 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 38 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 6 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Hot Springs 3.9 mi away

Overview Hot Springs Campground is located just east of Garden Valley, Idaho along the Banks-Lowman Highway at an elevation of 3169 feet. Visitors enjoy rafting, kayaking, fishing on the South Fork Payette River, and soaking in the hot springs at the river's edge. Recreation The South Fork Payette River is across the road from the campground, offering fishing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. A natural hot springs soaking pool is located on the river directly across the road and down a...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
131°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 131°F (55°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +82°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Fry Drive
Distance to Road 9 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Corder Hot Spring?
Corder Hot Spring has a water temperature of 131°F (55°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Corder Hot Spring located?
Corder Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 3,200 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 44.0450°N, 115.8420°W.
How do I get to Corder Hot Spring?
Corder Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Fry Drive (9 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Corder Hot Spring?
Yes, Hot Springs is located nearby (3.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Corder Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.2 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Corder Hot Spring?
With care. At 131°F Corder 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.
Sources: USGS NWIS