Leggit Creek Hot Spring

Camas County, Idaho · Near Fairfield
43.8170°N, 115.0460°W · 6,686 ft
Hot 29°F air · Good soaking weather 6,686 ft Open Hike US Forest Service Camping nearby (4.2 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Leggit Creek Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Leggit Creek 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.

Leggit Creek Hot Spring takes a hike to reach, a thermal site in Camas County, Boise National Forest, about thirty-five miles from Fairfield. No temperature is on file. It is classed as hot in our records, and the 1955 sample showed strongly alkaline water, but we cannot tell you whether it is soakable. Access is open.

Location

A mile and a bit on foot from the nearest road, unnamed in our records. This is high country, nearly sixty-seven hundred feet, with heavy snow, close to fifteen feet a year, and plenty of rain. Atlanta Cabin is about four miles off, the nearest lodging in our records. National Forest land.

We have no best-months data for this one. Given the snowfall, the approach will be buried in winter. The water chemistry is seventy years old and there is no temperature reading at all, so treat it as unknown until you see it. No fee on record. Access open.

History of Leggit Creek Hot Spring

The water was sampled by the USGS in July 1955. That reading, high in pH with a moderate mineral load, is the only one on record.

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 Leggit Creek Hot Spring.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 82% 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
22°
Jan
23°
Feb
29°
Mar
34°
Apr
41°
May
52°
Jun
64°
Jul
63°
Aug
53°
Sep
39°
Oct
27°
Nov
19°
Dec
Annual Precip: 33.0 in Annual Snow: 174.6 in
Current Conditions
29°F
SSE 3.7 mph 80% Good soaking weather
Today 64° Low 43° Sunny
Wednesday 70° Low 48° Sunny 6% precip
Thursday 62° Low 43° Showers And Thunderstorms 83% precip
Friday 63° Low 41° Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers 28% precip
Saturday 66° Low 44° Sunny 6% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 1955-07-12

The water at Leggit Creek Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.6) with 234 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 9.6 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 3 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 65 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 39 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 6 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Atlanta Cabin 4.2 mi away

Overview Atlanta Cabin is located in the old mining town of Atlanta, Idaho, at an elevation of 5,800 feet. It is part of a historic ranger station compound built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Forest Service in 1933. This compound, known as the Atlanta Ranger Station Historic District, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The roads to the cabin are generally well-maintained, although there are some rough washboard sections. Guests can drive to the cabin, but shoul...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 6,686 ft

Leggit Creek Hot Spring sits at 6,686 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 27% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
Hot
Warm Hot Boiling
Avg Air Temp 39°F
Access
Open
Road Access Hike
Distance to Road 1.2 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 Leggit Creek Hot Spring?
Leggit Creek Hot Spring is classified as hot. An exact temperature measurement has not been recorded.
Where is Leggit Creek Hot Spring located?
Leggit Creek Hot Spring is located in Camas County, Idaho at 6,686 feet elevation, near Fairfield. Coordinates: 43.8170°N, 115.0460°W.
How do I get to Leggit Creek Hot Spring?
Leggit Creek Hot Spring has Hike road access (1.2 mi from the road).
Is Leggit Creek Hot Spring free to visit?
Leggit Creek Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Leggit Creek Hot Spring?
Yes, Atlanta Cabin is located nearby (4.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Leggit Creek Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.6 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 234 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS