Maple Grove Hot Springs

Franklin County, Idaho · Near Preston
42.3080°N, 111.7070°W · 4,900 ft
172°F 41°F air · Good soaking weather 4,900 ft Roadside Camping nearby (2.1 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 172°F, the source water at Maple Grove Hot Springs 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.

Maple Grove Hot Springs, seventeen miles or so from Preston in Franklin County, Idaho, is a very hot spring, the temperature at the source far beyond scalding. Nothing can sit in that water as it comes out. The record leaves land owner and public access blank, so there is no confirmation here that visitors are welcome. There is an image attached to the record.

Location

Oneida Narrows Road passes about three hundred feet away, so this is a roadside spring. Land unit and designation are blank on record, and so is the owner. The elevation is moderate, southeastern Idaho, and the winters drop about seven feet of snow with a middling amount of rain across the rest of the year. The campground is the only other landmark the record gives besides the road.

December through February get the nod on record. Maple Grove Campground sits a couple miles away. This water is dangerously hot, well above the scalding line, and there is nothing on file about where or if it cools, so do not touch the source. Confirm ownership and access before going; neither is recorded. Chemistry dates to 1972.

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 Maple Grove Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Maple Grove Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Maple Grove 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.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 88% 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
27°
Feb
36°
Mar
42°
Apr
52°
May
65°
Jun
74°
Jul
73°
Aug
63°
Sep
48°
Oct
34°
Nov
23°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.0 in Annual Snow: 82.6 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 23°F · Water 172°F · +149° contrast
January Air 24°F · Water 172°F · +148° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 172°F · +145° contrast
December offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
41°F
Clear NNE 12.4 mph 75% Good soaking weather
Today 73° Low 48° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +99° warmer
Wednesday 76° Low 52° Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 28% precip
Spring is +96° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 47° Light Rain Likely then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 72% precip
Spring is +99° warmer
Friday 69° Low 42° Sunny 14% precip
Spring is +103° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 43° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +102° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-05-10

The water at Maple Grove Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.3). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 7.3 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 89 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 24 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 490 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 260 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 630 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Maple Grove Campground 2.1 mi away

Campground rules and regulations are posted at the site. There are no dumpsters on site, visitors must pack in and out their trash. Campsites: 12 developed sites--- At this time, there is not a reservation system in place for the campsites. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis. Overnight Camping Fees: $5.00 per vehicle/ per night This site is equipped picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets, horseshoe pits, and boat ramp with a dock. There is no Day-use allowed and facilities a...

Fee $5/vehicle/night
Stay limit 14 Days
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
172°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 172°F (78°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +125°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Oneida Narrows Road
Distance to Road 297 ft

Hike 1 waterfall near Maple Grove Hot Springs

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Maple Grove Hot Springs, Idaho.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Maple Grove Hot Springs?
Maple Grove Hot Springs has a water temperature of 172°F (78°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Maple Grove Hot Springs located?
Maple Grove Hot Springs is located in Franklin County, Idaho at 4,900 feet elevation, near Preston. Coordinates: 42.3080°N, 111.7070°W.
How do I get to Maple Grove Hot Springs?
Maple Grove Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Oneida Narrows Road (297 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Maple Grove Hot Springs?
Yes, Maple Grove Campground is located nearby (2.1 miles away). $5/vehicle/night.
What minerals are in the water at Maple Grove Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.3 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Maple Grove Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Maple Grove Hot Springs reaches 172°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