Starkey Hot Springs

Adams County, Idaho · Near Council
44.8530°N, 116.4420°W · 3,290 ft
131°F 34°F air · Good soaking weather 3,290 ft Roadside Camping nearby (3.9 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Starkey Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Starkey 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.

Eight miles or so from Council in Adams County, Starkey Hot Springs comes out hot, above 130 degrees, a couple hundred feet from a road. No land owner and no access status are in the record, so it is not known if this is public or private ground. The temperature was measured by the USGS in 1972, a long time ago for a reading to stand unrevised.

Location

Around 3,300 feet, low for an Idaho hot spring. The road is close, about 240 feet, so this is roadside. Snow is moderate, ninety inches in an average winter, and the year averages in the upper forties. Precipitation is middling. no road name is on record, and so are land unit and designation.

Winter months are the listed best season. Evergreen Campground is about four miles off. The water reading is over fifty years old, from June 1972, and the chemistry then was alkaline. Water above 130 degrees will scald; test it. Ownership is not recorded, so confirm you are allowed there before walking down.

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 Starkey Hot Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
88 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 27% 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
30°
Feb
37°
Mar
44°
Apr
53°
May
62°
Jun
73°
Jul
73°
Aug
63°
Sep
48°
Oct
36°
Nov
27°
Dec
Annual Precip: 28.7 in Annual Snow: 90.3 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 131°F · +104° contrast
December Air 27°F · Water 131°F · +104° contrast
February Air 30°F · Water 131°F · +101° contrast
January offers 46°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
34°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 50° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +62° warmer
Wednesday 78° Low 53° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +53° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 51° Rain Showers Likely 72% precip
Spring is +59° warmer
Friday 72° Low 49° Slight Chance Rain Showers 22% precip
Spring is +59° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 50° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +57° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1972-06-27

The water at Starkey Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6).

pH 8.6 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 5 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 96 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 160 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 15 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Evergreen Campground 3.9 mi away

Overview Evergreen Campground is situated next to the Weiser River just off Highway 95 between the towns of Council and New Meadows, Idaho. Fishing and hiking are popular activities.  Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some re...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
131°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 131°F (55°C)
Avg Air Temp 48°F
Above Ambient +83°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Distance to Road 240 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Starkey Hot Springs?
Starkey Hot Springs has a water temperature of 131°F (55°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Starkey Hot Springs located?
Starkey Hot Springs is located in Adams County, Idaho at 3,290 feet elevation, near Council. Coordinates: 44.8530°N, 116.4420°W.
How do I get to Starkey Hot Springs?
Starkey Hot Springs has Roadside road access (240 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Starkey Hot Springs?
Yes, Evergreen Campground is located nearby (3.9 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Starkey Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.6 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Starkey Hot Springs?
With care. At 131°F Starkey 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