Latty Hot Spring

Elmore County, Idaho · Near Glenns Ferry
43.1160°N, 115.3050°W · 3,885 ft
144°F 3,885 ft Open Short Walk Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (18.1 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 144°F, the source water at Latty 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 Latty Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Latty 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.

Latty Hot Spring is BLM land in Elmore County, eleven miles from Glenns Ferry, managed out of the Four Rivers Field Office. The water surfaces scalding. The access record says open, and North Brimson Lane runs within about 450 feet, so getting to it is easy; getting into it at the source is out of the question.

Location

Almost roadside. North Brimson Lane is a few hundred feet off. The country is low and dry, under four thousand feet with a bit over two feet of snow most winters. BLM public land with no special designation, which means no wilderness rules and no permit system that we know of. Spillway Campground is eighteen miles off, the closest camping on file.

Winter is dry here and snow is light. Past the scalding line, so keep skin away from the source until you have checked. The only sample is from 1972 and recorded dissolved solids but no pH. Open per the record, with no fee noted.

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 Latty Hot Spring.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northeast.
Highest ground nearby
350 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northeast
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
105 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 55% 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
33°
Feb
42°
Mar
49°
Apr
59°
May
69°
Jun
80°
Jul
78°
Aug
67°
Sep
52°
Oct
39°
Nov
29°
Dec
Annual Precip: 12.6 in Annual Snow: 26.9 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 29°F · Water 144°F · +115° contrast
December Air 29°F · Water 144°F · +115° contrast
February Air 33°F · Water 144°F · +111° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
SSE 2.3 mph
Today 76° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +68° warmer
Wednesday 81° Low 58° Sunny
Spring is +63° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 53° Chance Rain Showers 32% precip
Spring is +70° warmer
Friday 74° Low 51° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +70° warmer
Saturday 76° Low 53° Sunny 4% precip
Spring is +68° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-07-05

The water at Latty 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 18.1 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
144°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 144°F (62°C)
Avg Air Temp 52°F
Above Ambient +92°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road North Brimson Lane
Distance to Road 446 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 Latty Hot Spring?
Latty Hot Spring has a water temperature of 144°F (62°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Latty Hot Spring located?
Latty Hot Spring is located in Elmore County, Idaho at 3,885 feet elevation, near Glenns Ferry. Coordinates: 43.1160°N, 115.3050°W.
How do I get to Latty Hot Spring?
Latty Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being North Brimson Lane (446 ft from the road).
Is Latty Hot Spring free to visit?
Latty Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Latty Hot Spring?
Yes, Spillway Campground is located nearby (18.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Latty 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 Latty Hot Spring?
No, not at the source. The water at Latty Hot Spring reaches 144°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