Robinson Bar Hot Springs

Custer County, Idaho · Near Challis
44.2470°N, 114.6760°W · 5,960 ft
131°F 24°F air · Good soaking weather 5,960 ft Roadside Camping nearby (4.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Robinson Bar Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Robinson Bar 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.

Robinson Bar Hot Springs is in Custer County, about 28 miles from Challis. Hot water, well over comfortable soaking, with moderate dissolved solids and some iron in the 1979 sample. Who owns it is not on file, nor is any access status, so this one needs checking before you plan around it.

Location

National Forest Development Road 454 passes a couple hundred feet from the spring, so the approach is roadside. The country is high, with a year round average a little above freezing and ten feet of snow in an average winter. Precipitation is moderate. The road number says forest, but the record stops short of naming a land owner.

Pole Flat Campground is four or five miles off. The record says go in winter. Ownership and access are unconfirmed, so find out. Temperature is high enough to scald if the source is unmixed; test the water. The sample is from 1979 and showed iron along with the usual minerals.

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 Robinson Bar Hot Springs.

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

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 74% 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
23°
Jan
24°
Feb
31°
Mar
36°
Apr
44°
May
55°
Jun
66°
Jul
65°
Aug
55°
Sep
41°
Oct
28°
Nov
20°
Dec
Annual Precip: 23.9 in Annual Snow: 125.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 20°F · Water 131°F · +111° contrast
January Air 23°F · Water 131°F · +108° contrast
February Air 24°F · Water 131°F · +107° contrast
December offers 46°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
24°F
S 12.1 mph 91% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 37° Sunny
Spring is +62° warmer
Wednesday 73° Low 41° Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Thursday 67° Low 39° Chance Light Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms 82% precip
Spring is +64° warmer
Friday 67° Low 37° Chance Light Rain 35% precip
Spring is +64° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 39° Sunny 10% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1979-09-13

The water at Robinson Bar Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.4) with 294 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 9.4 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 2 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 74 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 50 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 15 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 80 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Pole Flat Campground 4.5 mi away

This campground is away from the main road and up the hill overlooking the river and the dredge ponds. Campsites include picnic tables tent pads fire rings with cooking grills. Campground amenities include a vault toilet and drinking water. Sites accommodate trailers and motorhomes up to 32 feet long.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Mile-High Advisory 5,960 ft

Robinson Bar Hot Springs sits at 5,960 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.

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Temperature
131°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 131°F (55°C)
Avg Air Temp 41°F
Above Ambient +90°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road National Forest Development Road 454
Distance to Road 231 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Robinson Bar Hot Springs?
Robinson Bar Hot Springs has a water temperature of 131°F (55°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Robinson Bar Hot Springs located?
Robinson Bar Hot Springs is located in Custer County, Idaho at 5,960 feet elevation, near Challis. Coordinates: 44.2470°N, 114.6760°W.
How do I get to Robinson Bar Hot Springs?
Robinson Bar Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being National Forest Development Road 454 (231 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Robinson Bar Hot Springs?
Yes, Pole Flat Campground is located nearby (4.5 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Robinson Bar Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 9.4 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 294 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Robinson Bar Hot Springs?
With care. At 131°F Robinson Bar Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS