Zims Resort Hot Springs

Valley County, Idaho · Near McCall
45.0390°N, 116.2910°W · 3,825 ft
144°F 32°F air · Good soaking weather 3,825 ft Roadside Camping nearby (6.4 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 144°F, the source water at Zims Resort Hot Springs 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 Zims Resort Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Zims Resort 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.

Zims Resort Hot Springs carries a resort in its name, yet nothing on file mentions a business operating there, and no fee or owner is recorded. What is on file is a scalding spring beside Zims Road in Valley County, about thirteen miles from McCall, with water past the scalding mark in the June 1980 survey. It tests strongly alkaline.

Location

Zims Road passes within about fifty-five feet, so it is a roadside spot. Altitude runs a bit under four thousand feet. Snow runs around a hundred fifty inches in an average winter, and it is a wet climate. Whether any of the ground is private is not recorded.

The record points to December through February. For camping, Grouse Campground is about six miles away. Source water will scald; any soaking would have to be in water cooled from the vent, and no such pool is on record. Before visiting, find out whether a resort operates there and what it charges, because the record has nothing on 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 Zims Resort Hot Springs.

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

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 32% 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
29°
Feb
36°
Mar
42°
Apr
51°
May
61°
Jun
72°
Jul
72°
Aug
61°
Sep
47°
Oct
34°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 37.4 in Annual Snow: 149.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 26°F · Water 144°F · +118° contrast
January Air 27°F · Water 144°F · +117° contrast
February Air 29°F · Water 144°F · +115° contrast
December offers 45°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
32°F
Clear N 0.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 42° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +75° warmer
Wednesday 77° Low 44° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +67° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 43° Rain Showers Likely 74% precip
Spring is +70° warmer
Friday 73° Low 41° Areas Of Fog 32% precip
Spring is +71° warmer
Saturday 76° Low 43° Sunny 2% precip
Spring is +68° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1980-06-03

The water at Zims Resort Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.4). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 9.4 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 11 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 180 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 320 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 30 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Grouse Campground 6.4 mi away

Overview Grouse Campground is located just 16 miles from McCall, Idaho, on the shores of Goose Lake. Visitors enjoy canoeing, fishing and horseback riding. 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 remote areas have limited or...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
144°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 144°F (62°C)
Avg Air Temp 46°F
Above Ambient +98°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Zims Road
Distance to Road 55 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Zims Resort Hot Springs?
Zims Resort Hot Springs has a water temperature of 144°F (62°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Zims Resort Hot Springs located?
Zims Resort Hot Springs is located in Valley County, Idaho at 3,825 feet elevation, near McCall. Coordinates: 45.0390°N, 116.2910°W.
How do I get to Zims Resort Hot Springs?
Zims Resort Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Zims Road (55 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Zims Resort Hot Springs?
Yes, Grouse Campground is located nearby (6.4 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Zims Resort Hot Springs?
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 Zims Resort Hot Springs?
No, not at the source. The water at Zims Resort Hot Springs reaches 144°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