Vinegar Creek Hot Springs
- Source temp
- 140°F
- Soakable
- Yes
- Road
- High clearance
- Permit
- Required
The source runs about 140°F at Vinegar Creek Hot Springs, a primitive hot spring in Lemhi County, Idaho, managed by USDA Forest Service (Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness / Salmon-Challis National Forest).
Closures and warnings
Wilderness river access only. Source water can reach about 140F. River currents, remote location, and no cell service. Main Salmon soak commonly reached via Vinegar Creek takeout / Corn Creek put-in corridor. As of September 28, 2026.
Soaking
| Development | Primitive |
|---|---|
| Source temperature | 140°F |
| Pools | 1 |
| Soakable | Yes |
| Water type | Spring |
|---|---|
| Entry | Walk in |
Access
| Road | High clearance |
|---|---|
| Road note | No road to the springs. Vinegar Creek boat ramp (about 26 to 27 miles upstream of Riggins on Salmon River Road) is the common jet-boat staging point; Corn Creek is the typical raft put-in. |
| Parking | Vinegar Creek boat ramp parking for river access; springs themselves are river-mile access only. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Main Salmon private float permits allocated via Recreation.gov lottery in permit season (typically late June through September). Jet-boat day trips to the springs are outfitter-guided from Vinegar. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness / Salmon-Challis National Forest) |
| Restrooms | No |
|---|---|
| Showers | No |
| Drinking water | No |
| Picnic sites | No |
| Note | Primitive riverside soak; no facilities. Short scramble from river to pool over rock (about 1,000 ft from river reported on guided trips). |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Vinegar Creek Hot Springs open?
Wilderness river access only. Source water can reach about 140F. River currents, remote location, and no cell service. Main Salmon soak commonly reached via Vinegar Creek takeout / Corn Creek put-in corridor. As of September 28, 2026.
How hot is Vinegar Creek Hot Springs?
The spring's source runs about 140°F. There is 1 pool.
How do you get to Vinegar Creek Hot Springs?
The road in is high clearance. No road to the springs. Vinegar Creek boat ramp (about 26 to 27 miles upstream of Riggins on Salmon River Road) is the common jet-boat staging point; Corn Creek is the typical raft put-in. Parking: Vinegar Creek boat ramp parking for river access; springs themselves are river-mile access only.
Do you need a reservation for Vinegar Creek Hot Springs?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Main Salmon private float permits allocated via Recreation.gov lottery in permit season (typically late June through September). Jet-boat day trips to the springs are outfitter-guided from Vinegar.
What facilities are at Vinegar Creek Hot Springs?
No restrooms, showers, drinking water, and picnic sites. Primitive riverside soak; no facilities. Short scramble from river to pool over rock (about 1,000 ft from river reported on guided trips).
Nearby
Public land
Vinegar Creek Hot Springs is inside Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness and Salmon-Challis National Forest .
Sources
3
- https://www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/barth-hot-springs-idaho (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / access river-only / waterbodyName, hotSpring.sourceTempF NOAA ~140F / soakable / development primitive, access.permitRequired Main Salmon / reservationWindow)
- https://whitewaterexpeditions.com/barth-hot-springs-trip-guide/ (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.roadNote Vinegar Creek / Corn Creek distances / amenities scramble, hazardNote / hotSpring.poolCount)
- https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2022-08/Media_Center_Public_Room_BLM_ID_Lower_Salmon_River_Boater_Guide_2022.pdf (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.parking Vinegar Creek ramp context)