Pine Flats Hot Springs

## Overview Pine Flats Hot Springs is a free, natural hot spring located in the rugged backcountry of central Idaho, near the Middle Fork of the Boise River corridor. Situated at approximately 44.117°N, 115.418°W, this remote geothermal soak sits within the Boise National Forest — a region renowned for its abundance of natural hot springs fed by deep geological fault lines in the Idaho Batholith. Central Idaho's hot springs owe their existence to the region's complex geology. Ancient granitic intrusions of the Idaho Batholith, combined with deep fracture systems, allow snowmelt and groundwater to circulate miles below the surface, where it is heated by residual geothermal energy before rising back to the surface. Pine Flats Hot Springs is one of many such thermal features scattered along the river drainages of this wild, mountainous landscape. As a free and undeveloped hot spring, Pine Flats offers a rustic, off-grid soaking experience with no fees or facilities — just the natural pools and the surrounding forest. ## Directions 1. From Boise, Idaho, head northeast on ID-21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway) toward Idaho City. 2. Continue through Idaho City and proceed northeast on Forest Road 268 (Middle Fork Road) along the Middle Fork of the Boise River. 3. Follow Forest Road 268 as it winds along the river corridor. The hot springs are located near the Pine Flats area along this road. 4. Use GPS coordinates **44.1172, -115.4184** to pinpoint the exact location, as signage may be minimal or absent. 5. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, as forest roads in this area can be rough, narrow, and seasonally impassable due to snow or washouts. *Note: These directions are based on the GPS coordinates and general knowledge of the area. Road conditions and access can change seasonally — checking with the Boise National Forest ranger station before your trip is advisable.* ## What to Expect Pine Flats Hot Springs is a primitive, undeveloped soaking spot in a forested mountain setting. Visitors should expect a rustic experience with no built infrastructure — no changing rooms, restrooms, or maintained paths. The thermal water emerges naturally and collects in rock-and-sand pools near the river. Water temperatures at Idaho backcountry hot springs in this region typically range from warm to very hot depending on the specific source and how much river water mixes in. Soakers often adjust pool temperatures by redirecting cooler river water into the thermal pools. The area is remote and best visited during the warmer months (late spring through early fall), as forest roads may be closed or impassable during winter and early spring. Cell phone service is unlikely in this area, so plan accordingly and let someone know your itinerary. The surrounding Boise National Forest offers dispersed camping opportunities near Pine Flats, making this a great stop on a multi-day backcountry road trip through Idaho's hot springs corridor. Wildlife, including deer, elk, and occasionally black bears, are common in the area — practice proper food storage and Leave No Trace principles.