Goldbug Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 113°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Hike
- 2 mi each way
- Elevation gain
- 1350 ft
- Road
- Gravel
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
The source runs about 113°F at Goldbug Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Lemhi County, Idaho, managed by USDA Forest Service (Salmon-Challis National Forest) / BLM access corridor.
Closures and warnings
Forest Service order 04-13-23-005: camping prohibited within 500 feet of Gold Bug Hot Springs from March 30, 2023 through March 30, 2028. Stay on the easement across private land; leash dogs on the private segment. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 113°F |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Entry | Walk in |
Access
| Hike | 2 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Elevation gain | 1350 ft |
| Road | Gravel |
| Road note | Dirt road off US-93 near mile marker 282 to the trailhead. |
| Parking | Trailhead parking with restroom at the end of the county road; first 0.25 mi of trail crosses private land on a public easement. |
| Fee | Free; no permit required for day use. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Salmon-Challis National Forest) / BLM access corridor |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Goldbug Hot Springs open?
Forest Service order 04-13-23-005: camping prohibited within 500 feet of Gold Bug Hot Springs from March 30, 2023 through March 30, 2028. Stay on the easement across private land; leash dogs on the private segment. As of September 28, 2026.
How hot is Goldbug Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 113°F.
How long is the hike to Goldbug Hot Springs?
It's a 2 mi hike each way with 1350 ft of elevation gain. The road in is gravel. Dirt road off US-93 near mile marker 282 to the trailhead. Parking: Trailhead parking with restroom at the end of the county road; first 0.25 mi of trail crosses private land on a public easement.
Do you need a reservation for Goldbug Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Goldbug Hot Springs free?
Yes. Free; no permit required for day use.
What are the rules at Goldbug Hot Springs?
Dogs are allowed and camping is allowed.
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Goldbug Hot Springs is inside Salmon-Challis National Forest .
Sources
2
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldbug_Hot_Springs (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access.parking, access.hikeDistanceMi / elevationGainFt, hotSpring.sourceTempF, hotSpring.development / soakable, access.fee, waterbodyName, rules.dogs, access.roadSurface)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/salmon-challis/alerts/gold-bug-hot-spring-occupancy-and-use (accessed September 28, 2026; backs hazardNote / rules.camping)