Krigbaum Hot Springs

Valley County, Idaho · Near McCall
44.9710°N, 116.2030°W · 4,280 ft
109°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 4,280 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (7.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Krigbaum Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Krigbaum 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.

Krigbaum Hot Springs is six miles or so from McCall, inside the Payette National Forest, Valley County. Water temperature is soaking warm, right where a lot of people want it. Public access is open, Goose Creek Road runs close by, and there is a campground within seven miles. The chemistry on file came from a 1982 survey.

Location

Goose Creek Road passes a few hundred feet away, so the walk in is brief. Elevation is a little over four thousand feet. Snow is heavy, about twelve feet a year, in a wet climate. Grouse Campground sits seven miles away. Plain National Forest, no special designation, and no wilderness boundary to worry about.

Our data rates December through February highest, though the snowfall here will decide whether Goose Creek Road is drivable, and winter maintenance is not something our data covers. Open access, no fee listed. The reading dates to 1982, so check the water before you commit.

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 Krigbaum Hot Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
77 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 12% 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
26°
Feb
33°
Mar
39°
Apr
48°
May
58°
Jun
68°
Jul
68°
Aug
58°
Sep
44°
Oct
31°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 35.8 in Annual Snow: 141.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 23°F · Water 109°F · +86° contrast
January Air 24°F · Water 109°F · +85° contrast
February Air 26°F · Water 109°F · +83° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
34°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 67° Low 42° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +42° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 47° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +32° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 46° Rain Showers 76% precip
Spring is +37° warmer
Friday 70° Low 44° Chance Rain Showers 34% precip
Spring is +39° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 45° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +35° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1982-08-23

The water at Krigbaum Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.2).

pH 9.2 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 5 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 130 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 180 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 25 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Grouse Campground 7.0 mi away

Overview Grouse Campground is located just 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of Goose Lake. Visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing and horseback riding. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
109°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 109°F (43°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +66°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Goose Creek Road
Distance to Road 364 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Payette National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Krigbaum Hot Springs?
Krigbaum Hot Springs has a water temperature of 109°F (43°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Krigbaum Hot Springs located?
Krigbaum Hot Springs is located in Valley County, Idaho at 4,280 feet elevation, near McCall. Coordinates: 44.9710°N, 116.2030°W.
How do I get to Krigbaum Hot Springs?
Krigbaum Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Goose Creek Road (364 ft from the road).
Is Krigbaum Hot Springs free to visit?
Krigbaum Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Krigbaum Hot Springs?
Yes, Grouse Campground is located nearby (7.0 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Krigbaum Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.2 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS