Lakey Hot Spring

Adams County, Idaho · Near Council
44.5860°N, 116.6300°W · 2,680 ft
158°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 2,680 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (14.6 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 158°F, the source water at Lakey 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.

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

Lakey Hot Spring comes up scalding, well past the point where water burns, in Adams County about fourteen miles from Council. Goodrich Road is the one that gets you close. Who owns it, and whether you are allowed on it, has never been entered in our records, so this is a name on the map until someone confirms more.

Location

Low elevation, under twenty-seven hundred feet, with three feet or so of snow each winter and a moderately wet climate. Goodrich Road is under a quarter mile away. Buck Park Cabin, around fifteen miles distant, is the closest lodging or camping we list. No land owner on record, and no land unit.

Midwinter brings the least precipitation. The water is dangerously hot; keep hands and feet out of the source. Access is unrecorded, so check for private property. The chemistry is from 1972; the pH came back only mildly alkaline. Buck Park Cabin, some fifteen miles away, is where you would stay if you wanted a roof nearby.

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 Lakey Hot Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
98 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
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
78 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 13% 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
33°
Feb
41°
Mar
48°
Apr
58°
May
66°
Jun
77°
Jul
77°
Aug
66°
Sep
51°
Oct
39°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.1 in Annual Snow: 37.7 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 158°F · +131° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 158°F · +129° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 158°F · +126° contrast
January offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
34°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 74° Low 48° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +84° warmer
Wednesday 83° Low 50° Sunny
Spring is +75° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 48° Rain Showers Likely 63% precip
Spring is +82° warmer
Friday 77° Low 47° Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny 17% precip
Spring is +81° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 48° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +79° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-06-28

The water at Lakey Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation) and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.8 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 17 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 200 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 200 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 140 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Buck Park Cabin 14.6 mi away

Overview Buck Park Cabin is located on Cuddy Mountain, in the Payette National Forest of central Idaho. Guests enjoy the remote area for its hunting opportunities and abundance of hiking, biking, horseback riding and off-road vehicle trails. The cabin sits at an elevation of 7,280 feet within Buck Park, a scenic meadow surrounded by a dense conifer forest. Rush Lake, Hornet and Lower Hornet reservoirs are nearby. This very rustic cabin can accommodate a maximum of three people. Metal cots are...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
158°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 158°F (70°C)
Avg Air Temp 51°F
Above Ambient +107°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Goodrich Road
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Lakey Hot Spring?
Lakey Hot Spring has a water temperature of 158°F (70°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Lakey Hot Spring located?
Lakey Hot Spring is located in Adams County, Idaho at 2,680 feet elevation, near Council. Coordinates: 44.5860°N, 116.6300°W.
How do I get to Lakey Hot Spring?
Lakey Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Goodrich Road (0.2 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Lakey Hot Spring?
Yes, Buck Park Cabin is located nearby (14.6 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Lakey Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.8 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Lakey Hot Spring?
No, not at the source. The water at Lakey Hot Spring reaches 158°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.
Sources: USGS NWIS