Salmon Falls Hot Spring

Twin Falls County, Idaho · Near Buhl
42.7040°N, 114.8560°W · 2,900 ft
153°F 41°F air · Good soaking weather 2,900 ft Roadside
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 153°F, the source water at Salmon Falls Hot Spring 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.

Aerial view of the ground around Salmon Falls Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Salmon Falls 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.

Salmon Falls Hot Spring is a scalding source in Twin Falls County, nine miles or so from Buhl and essentially on the shoulder of North 1000 East. The water emerges hot enough to burn on contact. The record does not say who owns it or if the public can use it.

Location

Low desert, under three thousand feet, with very little precipitation and almost no snow, so weather is rarely what keeps anyone away. The spring is at the roadside, six feet off North 1000 East by the record. The record lists no land owner and no campground. What surrounds the outlet is not described.

Winter months are flagged as best. The source will scald. Do not enter it, and keep clear of the outlet itself. No cooled pool is on record, so assume there is nowhere safe to sit. The chemistry on record is a 1979 sample. Before you go, find out if this is private ground. Nothing on fees either.

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 Salmon Falls Hot Spring.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the east.
Highest ground nearby
86 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
97 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 43% 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
31°
Jan
37°
Feb
45°
Mar
52°
Apr
62°
May
72°
Jun
82°
Jul
80°
Aug
69°
Sep
54°
Oct
41°
Nov
31°
Dec
Annual Precip: 10.5 in Annual Snow: 14.1 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 31°F · Water 153°F · +122° contrast
December Air 31°F · Water 153°F · +122° contrast
February Air 37°F · Water 153°F · +116° contrast
January offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
41°F
Mostly Clear 70% Good soaking weather
Today 79° Low 42° Patchy Fog then Sunny
Spring is +74° warmer
Wednesday 83° Low 50° Sunny
Spring is +70° warmer
Thursday 78° Low 47° Slight Chance Rain Showers 18% precip
Spring is +75° warmer
Friday 77° Low 44° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +76° warmer
Saturday 80° Low 45° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +73° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1979-04-05

The water at Salmon Falls Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.4).

pH 9.4 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 1 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 130 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 34 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 34 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Temperature
153°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 153°F (67°C)
Avg Air Temp 55°F
Above Ambient +98°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road North 1000 East
Distance to Road 6 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Salmon Falls Hot Spring?
Salmon Falls Hot Spring has a water temperature of 153°F (67°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Salmon Falls Hot Spring located?
Salmon Falls Hot Spring is located in Twin Falls County, Idaho at 2,900 feet elevation, near Buhl. Coordinates: 42.7040°N, 114.8560°W.
How do I get to Salmon Falls Hot Spring?
Salmon Falls Hot Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being North 1000 East (6 ft from the road).
What minerals are in the water at Salmon Falls Hot Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 9.4 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Salmon Falls Hot Spring?
No, not at the source. The water at Salmon Falls Hot Spring reaches 153°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