5 Hot Springs Near Stanley, Idaho With Dreamy Views
One of the most awesome things about Stanley is the abundance of natural hot springs found in the area. To many, soaking in a hot spring with an outdoor natural setting is the ultimate relaxation experience. And you really can’t get a better outdoor setting than Central Idaho.
Central Idaho is unlike the rest of the state or anywhere else you’ve ever been. Yes, the emerald forests aren’t different to elsewhere in the Northwest, but it is the sage-colored rolling hills coupled with the crystal clear flowing rivers, and the minty smell of sagebrush wafting through the air that makes this part of Idaho so unique.
And what better place to enjoy this scenery than from a hot spring? Fortunately for visitors to Stanley, there are tons of hot springs in the area waiting for you to find them.
The reason for the abundance of hot springs found throughout Idaho is thanks to the Idaho Batholith. Rather than being heated directly by magma like the hot springs in Yellowstone National Park, the hot springs in Idaho are a result of plate friction from colliding tectonic plates.
Most people are unaware that Central Idaho sits on a fault line and that earthquakes frequently happen here, but they rarely ever get media attention unlike earthquakes that happen in California. Perhaps the reason for lack of media coverage is because the population of Idaho is much smaller than California and it does not affect human life as much?
Whatever the reason may be, you should certainly take up the opportunity to soak in as many of these geological wonders as possible while you are in Stanley! I mean what’s better than a long hot soak after a full day of hiking, or getting toasty and warm under a starry sky after a day filled with adventure?
Here are the five most amazing hot springs in and near the town of Stanley you need to seek out on your visit.
Best Hot Springs Near Stanley
1. Mountain Village Resort Hot Springs
There are a lot of really cool things about the town of Stanley, especially the unobstructed panoramic views of Idaho’s stunning landscape which include the Sawtooth Mountains. But what’s even better is that you can enjoy these magnificent views while sitting in a hot spring!
The Mountain Village Resort has one of the best views of the Sawtooth mountains in town and their hot spring quite possibly has the most incredible view seen from a hot spring ever!!
If you happen to know of any other hot springs that can compete with the Mountain Village Resort’s hot spring views, we would love for you to let us know in the comments below.
This natural hot spring is piped into a man made tub which is very deep and spacious. It is so large that it can comfortably fit eight to ten people. It is housed inside a rustic log cabin with doors that are usually kept open.
Positives: The tub is huge and can easily fit between eight to ten people. It has incredible views and is sheltered from the wind and rain.
Negatives: You need to be staying at the Mountain Village Resort to gain access to this hot spring or pay a $20 fee.
2. Boat Box Hot Springs
Boat Box Hot Springs is a hot spring near Stanley that is situated right beside the beautiful Salmon River! This hot spring offers adventurous souls a truly unique soaking experience not only because of its iydillic location but also due to the unique-shaped tub that looks like a witches cauldron.
A soak in this tub comes with dreamy views of forest-covered mountains and the wild and scenic Salmon River. You can relax here while listening to the sound of the gushing river and wind whistling through pine trees.
This unique hot spring is located a few short miles from Stanley and although it is located right beside Salmon River Scenic Byway, it is very easy to miss since it sits hidden around a bend and at a lower level than the road.
The nice thing about Boat Box Hot Springs is that it’s quite deep and the water is very hot which is perfect on those cold mornings and cool nights. However due to the tub’s small size, only two people can comfortably fit. Four people is certainly doable but feels like a little bit of a squeeze. You could also be waiting up to an hour or more to get a turn since Boat Box is so tiny.
>>Read: Boat Box Hot Springs: Directions + Helpful Tips For Visiting
3. Snake Pit Hot Spring
The next best thing to Mountain Village Resort hot spring is Snake Pit hot spring. This natural hot spring is hiding behind the building that the Mountain Village Resort hot spring is housed in and many people do not even know it is just there.
It has the same incredible view of the Sawtooth mountains except this hot spring is free! The pool is quite large so there is a lot of room for a few people to get in and soak at the same time. Although, it is very likely you’ll find it empty.
Positives: The positives about Snake Pit hot spring is its size and the fact that it is relatively unknown which means a higher probability of having the place all to yourself.
Negatives: The only issue some people may have with this hot spring is that the ground is quite muddy which might be a turn off if you don’t like that squishy feeling on your skin.
4. Sunbeam Hot Spring
Sunbeam is a very popular hot spring and you can expect it to be quite busy especially during summer on weekends and school holidays.
One of the main reasons this hot spring is so popular is because it is very accessible and super easy to find. It is located right beside Highway 75 about ten miles north of Stanley. There is signage to let you know when you get to Sunbeam and there is also a large parking lot. Keep an eye out for the congregation of parked vehicles and the bathhouse at the parking area.
This hot spring has several natural warm pools on the banks of the Salmon River. Some of these pools are too hot while other pools are not hot enough.
When Sunbeam is busy, you may be forced to sit in the cooler zones which isn’t a problem during summer in the middle of the day but in the evenings or early summer and autumn you might not have as pleasant an experience.
Another thing you should know about Sunbeam hot springs is that it’s what I like to call tidal. Obviously there are no tides here but the water levels do fluctuate and flows aren’t as high later in the season. This means the pools become smaller and sometimes non-existent the later it gets in the year.
Positives: It has several warm areas which means there is room for a lot of people to soak at the same time.
Negatives: This hot spring is very popular and often crowded meaning it might not be such a relaxing experience.
5. Goldbug Hot Springs
Goldbug Hot Springs might just be the best hot springs in the whole of the United States. Well it most certainly is in my opinion anyway. And trust me, we have been to a lot of phenomenal hot springs to compare this one to.
What makes these hot springs particularly special? I think that the incredible location and the journey it takes to get to them is what makes Goldbug Hot Springs so unique.
Getting to this hot spring is quite an adventure and involves hiking through scenic Idaho countryside and up into the Salmon River Mountains. The hike gives you a close up view of what the central region of Idaho’s landscape is really like; endless rolling hills dotted with fragrant sagebrush.
Once you get to the hot spring there is no doubt you will be blown away by the stunning view. If you’re lucky, you may even have this spot all to yourself if you get here at the right time.
Okay, so let’s cover the positives and negatives about these hot springs so that you can decide for yourself whether you’d like to make the effort to visit.
Positives: The best thing about these hot springs is the location and views. Also, the forced adventure to reach them will be an experience you never forget.
Negatives: The trail to these hot springs is two miles each way which means you will need to set aside at least three hours to hike and soak.
Guide To Visiting Stanley’s Hot Springs
Stanley sits at the base of the Sawtooth Mountains, an impressive rugged mountain range home to stunning alpine lakes and gorgeous wildflower-filled meadows. This place is an incredible destination which offers lots of recreational opportunities for outdoor lovers such as hiking, mountain biking, boating, fishing, and more!
>>Read: 15 Fun & Adventurous Things To Do In Stanley
When Is The Best Time To Visit Hot Springs In Stanley?
All of these hot springs can be visited year round but they are best early summer once the snow has melted. Alternatively, if you can brave the cold, winter can be a good time too when it is nice to be in a body of hot water.
Where Is Stanley?
Stanley is located in Central Idaho about three hours northeast of Boise and five hours south of Missoula. The town sits at the intersection of Highway 21 and Highway 75, both of which offer an incredibly scenic drive along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway and Sawtooth Scenic Byway.
Where To Stay In Stanley
Mountain Village Lodge – The Mountain Village Lodge is an affordable hotel convenient to restaurants and bars in Stanley. This hotel is only a few short steps away from the Mountain Village Saloon, grocery market, and gas station. A bonus of staying at this hotel is that every stay comes with a one hour soak in their hot spring.
Redfish Riverside Inn – As the name suggests, the Redfish Riverside Inn has a beautiful setting beside the gushing Salmon River, offering river views from rooms that come with sun-soaked balconies. There is even a small kitchenette should you wish to stay in for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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Which of these hot springs are you looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments below! Join our facebook travel group for weekly USA destination inspiration!