Sunbeam Hot Springs

## Overview Sunbeam Hot Springs is a beloved natural hot spring located along the Salmon River in Custer County, Idaho, near the small community of Sunbeam. Situated at approximately 44.268°N, 114.749°W, these free-access geothermal pools sit at roughly 6,000 feet of elevation in the heart of Idaho's rugged Sawtooth Valley region. The springs are well known among hot spring enthusiasts for their stunning riverside setting, where steaming mineral water flows down a rocky hillside and collects in a series of user-built soaking pools right along the banks of the Salmon River. The geothermal activity in this area is driven by deep fault lines in the Idaho Batholith, a massive granitic formation that underlies much of central Idaho. Water heated far underground rises to the surface along fractures in the rock, emerging at temperatures that have been reported to range from approximately 110°F to over 160°F at the source. By the time the water reaches the riverside soaking pools, it typically cools to a comfortable bathing temperature, especially when mixed with the cold waters of the Salmon River. The mineral content of the water has historically been noted to include silica and other dissolved minerals common to Idaho's geothermal features. Sunbeam Hot Springs has a long history of use. The area around Sunbeam was a mining hub in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and the hot springs were frequented by miners and settlers. The nearby Sunbeam Dam, built in 1910 on the Salmon River, is a historic landmark in its own right. Indigenous peoples of the region, including the Shoshone-Bannock tribes, are believed to have known of and used the thermal waters in this area long before Euro-American settlement. The springs are located on public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service (Salmon-Challis National Forest) and are free to visit year-round, though winter access may be more challenging due to road conditions. ## Directions 1. From Stanley, Idaho, head east on Highway 75 (Salmon River Scenic Byway) toward Sunbeam. 2. Drive approximately 11–13 miles east along the Salmon River. 3. Watch for a pullout area and informal parking on the south (river) side of the highway, just east of the small community of Sunbeam and near the historic Sunbeam Dam site. 4. The hot springs are visible from the road — look for steam rising from the hillside on the north side of the highway, with soaking pools located between the road and the river. 5. A short, informal trail leads from the parking pullout down to the riverside pools. The terrain can be uneven and slippery, especially when wet. *GPS coordinates: 44.2680, -114.7491* ## What to Expect Visitors will find a series of natural and user-constructed rock pools cascading down a hillside toward the Salmon River. The upper pools tend to be hotter, while the lower pools — closer to the river — are cooler and more comfortable for extended soaking. During high water in spring and early summer, the lowest pools may be partially or fully submerged by the rising Salmon River, so the best soaking conditions are often found in late summer through fall and into winter. The setting is spectacular: the pools overlook the wild and scenic Salmon River, surrounded by forested mountains and dramatic canyon walls. The springs are a popular stop for road-trippers, rafters, and hot spring seekers exploring central Idaho. Because these are primitive, undeveloped hot springs, there are no facilities — no restrooms, changing rooms, or trash receptacles. Visitors are encouraged to pack out all trash and leave the area as they found it. The pools are clothing-optional by local custom, though this can vary depending on the crowd. The parking area is an informal highway pullout, so use caution when pulling on and off the road. Water temperatures can vary significantly between pools and with seasonal changes in river level, so it's wise to test the water before entering. The source water is extremely hot and should not be touched directly where it emerges from the ground.