Wolf Hot Spring

Camas County, Idaho · Near Fairfield
43.3350°N, 115.0440°W · 5,126 ft
113°F 5,126 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (18.7 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Wolf Hot Spring LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Wolf 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.

Wolf Hot Spring turns up in Camas County, Idaho, a dozen miles out from Fairfield. Hot, at the top end of what a person can sit in. That would make it a soaking spring if a pool existed, and no pool has been recorded. Ownership of the land is unknown. So is the question of whether you can legally go. The water has never been sampled.

Location
21 miles from Glenns Ferry, ID

Mink Road is the closest road, and the spring is a short walk off it, roughly a fifth of a mile. Elevation is foothill country. Winter snow runs about five feet; the rest of the year is moderately dry. No land unit or owner appears in the record, so you cannot tell from here if the ground is public.

The listed months run December to February. Nobody has recorded access or land ownership, so assume nothing and ask locally. The Dog Creek campground is the nearest one we have, nearly nineteen miles away. Water this warm can scald if it comes out hotter at the source than the figure on file; ease in.

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 Wolf Hot Spring.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
8 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest

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

Heat Below
100 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 47% 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
22°
Jan
26°
Feb
33°
Mar
41°
Apr
51°
May
61°
Jun
72°
Jul
71°
Aug
61°
Sep
46°
Oct
32°
Nov
21°
Dec
Annual Precip: 17.6 in Annual Snow: 61.1 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 21°F · Water 113°F · +92° contrast
January Air 22°F · Water 113°F · +91° contrast
February Air 26°F · Water 113°F · +88° contrast
December offers 51°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
SSE 2.3 mph
Today 71° Low 42° Sunny
Spring is +42° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 48° Sunny
Spring is +36° warmer
Thursday 70° Low 42° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 64% precip
Spring is +43° warmer
Friday 70° Low 41° Sunny 9% precip
Spring is +43° warmer
Saturday 72° Low 43° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +41° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Dog Creek (Id) 18.7 mi away

Overview Dog Creek Campground is located on the banks of Dog Creek, at the foot of the Trinity Mountain Range. It is four miles from the town of Pine, in south-central Idaho. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and exploring local trails. Recreation The South Fork Boise River is less than a quarter-mile away from the campground, offering rafting, swimming and fishing for rainbow trout. Paradise Hot Springs is nearby. Green Creek Trail 270, a 4.5-mile trail for hiking, horseback riding, biking a...

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
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Mink Road
Distance to Road 0.2 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Wolf Hot Spring?
Wolf Hot Spring has a water temperature of 113°F (45°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Wolf Hot Spring located?
Wolf Hot Spring is located in Camas County, Idaho at 5,126 feet elevation, near Fairfield. Coordinates: 43.3350°N, 115.0440°W.
How do I get to Wolf Hot Spring?
Wolf Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Mink Road (0.2 mi from the road).
Can I camp near Wolf Hot Spring?
Yes, Dog Creek (Id) is located nearby (18.7 miles away).
Is it safe to soak at Wolf Hot Spring?
With care. At 113°F Wolf 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.