Riggins Hot Springs

Valley County, Idaho · Near McCall
45.4160°N, 116.1720°W · 1,899 ft
106°F 45°F air · Good soaking weather 1,899 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (1.7 mi)

Riggins Hot Springs sits low, under two thousand feet, in Valley County about thirty-five miles from McCall. The water runs a bit warmer than body heat, comfortable for a long soak. It is a brief walk in from the road. Neither land ownership nor public access is in the record, and the road it is reached from is not named.

Location

Low and mild by Idaho standards, with an average yearly temperature in the low fifties and a fairly wet climate. Snow still arrives, around eight feet across a winter. Spring Bar Campground is under two miles away. No road name and no land owner are on file, and the surroundings are not described in the record.

The best-months entry says winter, and at this temperature the water will feel good in cold air. Spring Bar Campground is the obvious camping. There is no fee listed. Before going, find out whose land this is. The record has no access entry, and the water chemistry dates to 1980.

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 Riggins Hot Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around Riggins Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Riggins 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 south.
Highest ground nearby
831 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the south
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
83 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 21% 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
34°
Jan
36°
Feb
43°
Mar
49°
Apr
58°
May
67°
Jun
77°
Jul
77°
Aug
67°
Sep
53°
Oct
41°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 33.0 in Annual Snow: 95.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 33°F · Water 106°F · +73° contrast
January Air 34°F · Water 106°F · +72° contrast
February Air 36°F · Water 106°F · +70° contrast
December offers 44°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
45°F
ESE 0.0 mph 96% Good soaking weather
Today 76° Low 48° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 52° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +28° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 53° Light Rain Likely then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 63% precip
Spring is +30° warmer
Friday 78° Low 51° Chance Light Rain 40% precip
Spring is +28° warmer
Saturday 82° Low 53° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +24° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1980-06-03

The water at Riggins Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.4). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 9.4 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 6 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 160 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 290 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
Spring Bar Campground 1.7 mi away

A popular take-out point for floaters of the Salmon River, the Spring Bar Campground offers a boat launching ramp and 18 tent campsites. A table and fire ring are provided at all but two of the sites. Spring Bar is situated next to a relatively flat part of the Salmon River with the south end nestled in the shade of various fruit bearing trees. The surrounding area also provides for fishing, swimming, berry picking, and exploring. Wheelchair accessible picnic facilities are available at Allis...

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
106°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 106°F (41°C)
Avg Air Temp 53°F
Above Ambient +53°F
Good soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Distance to Road 427 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Riggins Hot Springs?
Riggins Hot Springs has a water temperature of 106°F (41°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Riggins Hot Springs located?
Riggins Hot Springs is located in Valley County, Idaho at 1,899 feet elevation, near McCall. Coordinates: 45.4160°N, 116.1720°W.
How do I get to Riggins Hot Springs?
Riggins Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (427 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Riggins Hot Springs?
Yes, Spring Bar Campground is located nearby (1.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Riggins Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.4 (alkaline).
Sources: USGS NWIS