Sunbeam Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 169°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
The source runs about 169°F at Sunbeam Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Custer County, Idaho, managed by USDA Forest Service (Sawtooth National Recreation Area). See every spot on the Salmon River.
Closures and warnings
Source water is 169°F (USFS). Do not touch the direct hot outflow; only soak where water has mixed with the cold Salmon River. Test every pool before entering. As of September 30, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 169°F |
| Soakable | Yes 169°F source water mixes with cold Salmon River water in rock pools and metal tubs at the river edge; adjust temperature by moving rocks to let river water in (USFS Upper O'Brien Campground page). |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Sunbeam Hot Springs sits on the Salmon River near Upper O'Brien Campground; Sunbeam Dam (1934 partial removal) is the only dam ever built on the Salmon River (USFS). |
| Parking | Upper O'Brien Campground on the Salmon River provides access to Sunbeam Hot Springs (USFS). |
| Fee | No Sunbeam-specific day-use fee published on USFS Upper O'Brien Campground page (2026-09-30). |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Seasonal closure | Adjacent Upper O'Brien Campground closes August 15 for streambank revegetation (USFS); confirm roadside access before visiting. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Sawtooth National Recreation Area) |
| Note | Upper O'Brien Campground has nine first-come, first-served campsites along the Salmon River near Sunbeam Hot Springs (USFS). |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Sunbeam Hot Springs open?
Source water is 169°F (USFS). Do not touch the direct hot outflow; only soak where water has mixed with the cold Salmon River. Test every pool before entering. As of September 30, 2026. Seasonal closure: Adjacent Upper O'Brien Campground closes August 15 for streambank revegetation (USFS); confirm roadside access before visiting.
How hot is Sunbeam Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 169°F.
How do you get to Sunbeam Hot Springs?
The road in is paved. Sunbeam Hot Springs sits on the Salmon River near Upper O'Brien Campground; Sunbeam Dam (1934 partial removal) is the only dam ever built on the Salmon River (USFS). Parking: Upper O'Brien Campground on the Salmon River provides access to Sunbeam Hot Springs (USFS).
Do you need a reservation for Sunbeam Hot Springs?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is Sunbeam Hot Springs free?
The fee is No Sunbeam-specific day-use fee published on USFS Upper O'Brien Campground page (2026-09-30).
Nearby
Camping nearby
Public land
Sunbeam Hot Springs is inside Sawtooth National Forest .
Just outside: Salmon-Challis National Forest (0.2 mi) , Cecil D. Andrus-White Clouds Wilderness (0.3 mi) .
Sources
1
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/sawtooth/recreation/upper-obrien-campground (accessed September 30, 2026; backs hotSpring.sourceTempF / hotSpring.soakableReason, manager, hazardNote, access.roadSurface / access.roadNote / access.seasonalClosure, waterbodyName)
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