Coyote Hot Spring

Elmore County, Idaho · Near Glenns Ferry
43.1290°N, 115.3400°W · 3,885 ft
135°F 41°F air · Good soaking weather 3,885 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (16.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Coyote Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Coyote 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.

Out on BLM land in Elmore County, managed from the Four Rivers Field Office, Coyote Hot Spring is about 12 miles from Glenns Ferry. Mid 130s at the source, too hot to sit in as it comes out. The record has it open to all comers. Spillway Campground is the nearest camping at close to 17 miles, so this is not a place to build an overnight around.

Location

The nearest road, unnamed on the record, passes about 130 feet away. The spring sits a little under four thousand feet in country that sees a few feet of snow and not much rain. The winters are mild. Nothing else about the ground is described. No picture either.

Winter carries the best-months flag, and with modest snow the approach is rarely blocked. The chemistry sample, which includes a TDS number, dates from 1972. Cool the water before you get in. Public land and open access mean the main unknown is what the pool looks like, which goes undescribed.

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 Coyote Hot Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
356 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
112 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 63% 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
27°
Jan
32°
Feb
40°
Mar
48°
Apr
57°
May
68°
Jun
79°
Jul
77°
Aug
66°
Sep
51°
Oct
38°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 16.0 in Annual Snow: 41.3 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 135°F · +108° contrast
December Air 27°F · Water 135°F · +108° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 135°F · +103° contrast
January offers 52°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
41°F
Clear ENE 33.0 mph 67% Good soaking weather
Today 73° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +62° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +57° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 53° Chance Rain Showers 34% precip
Spring is +63° warmer
Friday 71° Low 51° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +64° warmer
Saturday 73° Low 54° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +62° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-07-05

The water at Coyote Hot Spring contains 250 mg/L total dissolved solids.

Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 0 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 54 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 10 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 3 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Spillway Campground 16.7 mi away

Overview: Spillway Campground is a small campground with 3 campsites along Anderson Ranch Reservoir.  The reservoir is a popular destination for fishing, boating, waterskiing and riding personal watercraft. There is excellent fishing in the reservoir for smallmouth bass and kokanee. Also try your luck at fly fishing just below the dam for a trout!Rafting access is at Reclamation Village, just south of the campground.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
135°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 135°F (57°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +84°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 130 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Four Rivers Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Coyote Hot Spring?
Coyote Hot Spring has a water temperature of 135°F (57°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Coyote Hot Spring located?
Coyote Hot Spring is located in Elmore County, Idaho at 3,885 feet elevation, near Glenns Ferry. Coordinates: 43.1290°N, 115.3400°W.
How do I get to Coyote Hot Spring?
Coyote Hot Spring has Roadside road access (130 ft from the road).
Is Coyote Hot Spring free to visit?
Coyote Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Coyote Hot Spring?
Yes, Spillway Campground is located nearby (16.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Coyote Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. Total dissolved solids measure 250 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Coyote Hot Spring?
With care. At 135°F Coyote 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