Ground Hog Hot Springs

Valley County, Idaho · Near Cascade
44.3920°N, 115.8340°W · 4,180 ft
100°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 4,180 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (2.2 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Ground Hog Hot Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Ground Hog Hot Springs sits right at a hundred degrees, a comfortable soaking temperature, about a mile's hike from the nearest road in Boise National Forest country. It is in Valley County; Cascade, the nearest town, is thirteen miles away, and access is open. Of the numbers on this page, the temperature is what matters most.

Location

A mile and change on foot from a road the file leaves unnamed. Elevation is forty-two hundred feet, with thirteen feet of snow most years and a wet climate. Boiling Springs Cabin is about two miles off. The record describes neither the path nor the water at the end of it, so the hike is a guess.

Winter gets the best rating. Bath temperature, no burn risk. No chemistry was sampled. Boiling Springs Cabin is close, and access is open. Expect the hike to be the whole of the effort once the snow is gone, and the snow here lasts.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 89% 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
29°
Feb
36°
Mar
40°
Apr
49°
May
60°
Jun
71°
Jul
70°
Aug
60°
Sep
46°
Oct
33°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 36.3 in Annual Snow: 160.7 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 24°F · Water 100°F · +76° contrast
January Air 27°F · Water 100°F · +73° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 100°F · +71° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
32°F
WNW 4.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +31° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 52° Sunny
Spring is +23° warmer
Thursday 69° Low 49° Rain Showers 79% precip
Spring is +31° warmer
Friday 69° Low 46° Chance Rain Showers 38% precip
Spring is +31° warmer
Saturday 72° Low 48° Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +28° warmer
USGS Field Measurements
Recent Temperature 115.7°F (46.5°C) Measured Jul 08, 1979
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Boiling Springs Cabin 2.2 mi away

Overview The cabin area is open to the general public.Boiling Springs Cabin is a popular destination for those who enjoy soaking in mineral hot springs that are adjacent to the cabin. Other hot springs are within the vicinity as well. Guests who stay here also have a variety of other recreational activities to enjoy, such as fishing, hiking, and off-road motor vehicle riding. The cabin offers many conveniences, but guests should bring some supplies like water and equipment to ensure a comfort...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
100°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 100°F (38°C)
Avg Air Temp 46°F
Above Ambient +55°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 1.1 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Boise National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Ground Hog Hot Springs?
Ground Hog Hot Springs has a water temperature of 100°F (38°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Ground Hog Hot Springs located?
Ground Hog Hot Springs is located in Valley County, Idaho at 4,180 feet elevation, near Cascade. Coordinates: 44.3920°N, 115.8340°W.
How do I get to Ground Hog Hot Springs?
Ground Hog Hot Springs has Hike road access (1.1 mi from the road).
Is Ground Hog Hot Springs free to visit?
Ground Hog Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Ground Hog Hot Springs?
Yes, Boiling Springs Cabin is located nearby (2.2 miles away).
Sources: USGS NWIS