Rocky Canyon Hot Springs

Valley County, Idaho · Near Cascade
44.2530°N, 115.8910°W · 3,400 ft
120°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 3,400 ft Open Roadside US Forest Service Camping nearby (1.1 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Rocky Canyon Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Rocky Canyon 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.

Rocky Canyon Hot Springs is a roadside Forest Service spring in Valley County, right off Middle Fork Road, around nineteen miles from Cascade. At the outlet it is hot, too hot for comfortable soaking. Access is open. The USGS has a gauged flow for it, modest. Rattlesnake campground is about a mile away.

Location

Around thirty-four hundred feet in Boise National Forest, with a wet climate and close to nine feet of snow in a typical winter. Middle Fork Road is the access and the spring sits almost on it. The land is ordinary National Forest, no special designation. Nothing in the record describes the ground between road and water.

The best-months entry is December through February. Hot enough at the outlet to need testing. Look for where it has cooled. Camp at Rattlesnake, about a mile off. Nothing recorded for a fee. The chemistry dates to 1979 and the temperature may have drifted since.

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 Rocky Canyon Hot Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the northwest.
Highest ground nearby
705 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
138 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
27°
Jan
31°
Feb
37°
Mar
43°
Apr
52°
May
63°
Jun
73°
Jul
73°
Aug
62°
Sep
48°
Oct
35°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 31.0 in Annual Snow: 106.0 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 26°F · Water 120°F · +94° contrast
January Air 27°F · Water 120°F · +93° contrast
February Air 31°F · Water 120°F · +89° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
32°F
WNW 4.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 77° Low 50° Sunny
Spring is +43° warmer
Wednesday 85° Low 54° Sunny
Spring is +35° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 51° Rain Showers 75% precip
Spring is +44° warmer
Friday 76° Low 49° Chance Rain Showers 27% precip
Spring is +44° warmer
Saturday 79° Low 52° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +41° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1979-08-08

The water at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.8).

pH 8.8 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 3 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Sodium 97 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 24 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 10 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Rattlesnake 1.1 mi away

Overview Rattlesnake Campground is located 13 miles north of Crouch, Idaho along the Middle Fork Payette River at an elevation of 3621 feet. The Middle Fork drainage offers a variety of excellent trails. Fishing and hunting are popular activities as well. Recreation The Middle Fork Payette River offers good to excellent fishing most of the year. Anglers cast for whitefish and rainbow trout. Many trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback and ATV riding can be found in the area. Th...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
120°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 120°F (49°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +73°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Middle Fork Road
Distance to Road 205 ft
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 Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs has a water temperature of 120°F (49°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Rocky Canyon Hot Springs located?
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs is located in Valley County, Idaho at 3,400 feet elevation, near Cascade. Coordinates: 44.2530°N, 115.8910°W.
How do I get to Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (205 ft from the road).
Is Rocky Canyon Hot Springs free to visit?
Rocky Canyon Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
Yes, Rattlesnake is located nearby (1.1 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.8 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Rocky Canyon Hot Springs?
With care. At 120°F Rocky Canyon 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