Weatherby Hot Spring

Boise County, Idaho · Near Idaho City
43.8230°N, 115.3270°W · 4,445 ft
113°F 35°F air · Good soaking weather 4,445 ft Open Short Walk US Forest Service Camping nearby (8.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Weatherby Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Weatherby 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.

Weatherby Hot Spring comes out hot, low teens above a hundred, in Boise National Forest country about 25 miles from Idaho City in Boise County. Middle Fork Road is roughly 1,500 feet away. Access is open. The temperature sits right at the edge between a hot soak and too hot. The USGS carries it as a site without a water sample.

Location

Around 4,400 feet. Snow is heavy, about 150 inches a year. Precipitation is thirty-odd inches and temperatures average mid forties. Forest Service land, plain National Forest designation, fee not recorded. The road is Middle Fork Road and the spring is a short walk in from it, with nothing on file about the condition of either.

December through February are listed as best months, which with that much snow means a winter approach over snow. Deer Park Cabin is the closest overnight option on record, about eight miles away. No chemistry is recorded. A bit above 110 the water can scald with prolonged contact, so test it first.

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 Weatherby Hot Spring.

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

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

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

Heat Below
133 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 84% 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
26°
Jan
28°
Feb
35°
Mar
39°
Apr
48°
May
60°
Jun
71°
Jul
70°
Aug
60°
Sep
45°
Oct
32°
Nov
24°
Dec
Annual Precip: 32.1 in Annual Snow: 149.8 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 24°F · Water 113°F · +89° contrast
January Air 26°F · Water 113°F · +87° contrast
February Air 28°F · Water 113°F · +85° contrast
December offers 47°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
35°F
S 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 74° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +39° warmer
Wednesday 80° Low 53° Sunny
Spring is +33° warmer
Thursday 71° Low 48° Showers And Thunderstorms 79% precip
Spring is +42° warmer
Friday 71° Low 47° Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers 25% precip
Spring is +42° warmer
Saturday 74° Low 49° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +39° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Deer Park Cabin 8.0 mi away

Overview This site was originally established as Deer Park Ranger Guard Station in 1913, and a cabin was built here in 1917. This cabin, along with many others in Boise National Forest, was replaced in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Deer Park Cabin looks much the same today as it did in the 1930s.Guests can drive to Deer Park Cabin in two-wheel drive passenger cars or trucks, although the roads may occasionally be rough. Many creature comforts are provided, but guests may need...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
113°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 113°F (45°C)
Avg Air Temp 45°F
Above Ambient +68°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Middle Fork Road
Distance to Road 0.3 mi
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 Weatherby Hot Spring?
Weatherby Hot Spring has a water temperature of 113°F (45°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Weatherby Hot Spring located?
Weatherby Hot Spring is located in Boise County, Idaho at 4,445 feet elevation, near Idaho City. Coordinates: 43.8230°N, 115.3270°W.
How do I get to Weatherby Hot Spring?
Weatherby Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Middle Fork Road (0.3 mi from the road).
Is Weatherby Hot Spring free to visit?
Weatherby Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Weatherby Hot Spring?
Yes, Deer Park Cabin is located nearby (8.0 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Weatherby Hot Spring?
With care. At 113°F Weatherby Hot Spring 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