Dan Hodges Hot Spring

Boise County, Idaho · Near Idaho City
44.0510°N, 115.8290°W · 3,200 ft
140°F 33°F air · Good soaking weather 3,200 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.5 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 140°F, the source water at Dan Hodges Hot Spring 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.

Dan Hodges Hot Spring sits about ninety feet off Riverview Way in Boise County. Idaho City is fifteen miles off. The source is hot enough to scald, right at a hundred and forty by the record. The owner is unknown to the record, and the record is empty, so the roadside spot comes with a question mark attached. There is a photo of it.

Location

The approach is the road itself. The spring lies a bit above three thousand feet, and the valley sees close to nine feet of snow each winter and a moderate amount of rain. A campground called Hot Springs is listed about four and a half miles away. What the ground around the source looks like is not recorded.

Scalding at the outlet; keep hands and feet away from the source. Winter rates best in the record. Chemistry is from February 1979. Access is unrecorded, so check before you count on it. The nearest camping carries the name Hot Springs.

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 Dan Hodges Hot Spring.

Aerial view of the ground around Dan Hodges Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Dan Hodges 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
547 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
29°
Jan
32°
Feb
38°
Mar
44°
Apr
54°
May
64°
Jun
75°
Jul
74°
Aug
64°
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 140°F · +113° contrast
January Air 29°F · Water 140°F · +111° contrast
February Air 32°F · Water 140°F · +108° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
33°F
NW 0.0 mph 98% Good soaking weather
Today 80° Low 42° Sunny
Spring is +60° warmer
Wednesday 88° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +52° warmer
Thursday 79° Low 44° Rain Showers Likely 74% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Friday 79° Low 42° Areas Of Fog then Slight Chance Rain Showers 21% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Saturday 83° Low 45° Sunny 5% precip
Spring is +57° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1979-02-26

The water at Dan Hodges Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.1).

pH 9.1 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 2 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Sodium 78 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 41 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 5 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Hot Springs 4.5 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
140°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 140°F (60°C)
Avg Air Temp 49°F
Above Ambient +91°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Riverview Way
Distance to Road 90 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Dan Hodges Hot Spring?
Dan Hodges Hot Spring has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Dan Hodges Hot Spring located?
Dan Hodges Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 3,200 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 44.0510°N, 115.8290°W.
How do I get to Dan Hodges Hot Spring?
Dan Hodges Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Riverview Way (90 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Dan Hodges Hot Spring?
Yes, Hot Springs is located nearby (4.5 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Dan Hodges Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.1 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Dan Hodges Hot Spring?
With care. At 140°F Dan Hodges 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