Goldbug Hot Springs: trail, fees and temperature
Goldbug Hot Springs, sometimes called Elk Bend Hot Springs after the community at its trailhead, is the hike most Idaho soakers try first: a two-mile climb south of Salmon that ends at a cascade of pools stepping down a hillside above Elkhorn Creek. It's free, it takes no permit, and it's one of the busiest entries in our hot springs in Idaho guide, which covers the rest of the state's roadside tubs and hike-in pools.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Salmon, Idaho; the trailhead sits about 23 miles south, just past the small community of Elk Bend |
| Access | Hike, 2 miles one way, about 1,350 ft of climbing from the Highway 93 trailhead |
| Fee | None |
| Legal status | Public, Salmon-Challis National Forest; the first quarter mile crosses private land under a public easement |
| Camping | Not allowed within 500 feet of the springs, under a forest order in effect through March 2028 |
| Temperature (source, historical) | The NOAA/NCEI thermal springs archive lists Goldbug at 113°F (historical estimate, base year 1980) |
| Temperature (pools, recent) | Upper pools run close to source temperature; lower pools cool into the 90s and low 100s°F as they mix with creek water, per current trail reports |
| Season | Open year-round; snow and runoff make the trail harder to judge in early spring, and the creek crossings near the trailhead run higher then |
Trail and access
From Highway 93 about 23 miles south of Salmon, a short county road just past Elk Bend leads to the marked trailhead, and the trail heads up a dry, south-facing hillside above Elkhorn Creek. The route crosses a couple of footbridges and, for its first quarter mile, a short stretch of private property under a standing public easement, before climbing into national forest land for the rest of the way. The full 1,350 feet of gain over two miles makes this a real workout rather than a stroll, especially in summer heat with little shade on the exposed sections.
There's no fee and no permit for Goldbug, only the hike itself. Parking is roadside at the trailhead and fills up on summer weekends; arriving early gives the best shot at both a parking spot and open pools once you're up there.
The pools
A series of rock-and-sand pools steps down the hillside where the spring meets the open slope above the creek, several of them large enough for a small group. Because the pools sit in a chain fed from a single source, temperature drops as water travels downhill: the uppermost pools run close to the 113°F the NOAA archive attributes to the source, while the lower pools, closer to the creek, land in the 90s and low 100s°F depending on how much creek water mixes in. That range shifts with the season, running cooler when creek flow is high during spring runoff and holding steadier through late summer.
How this guide was researched
This page draws on U.S. Forest Service recreation information for the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Bureau of Land Management visitor information, the NOAA/NCEI thermal springs archive, and published trail reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Trail conditions and creek levels change with the season; verify current conditions with the Salmon-Cobalt Ranger District before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
How long is the hike to Goldbug Hot Springs?
About 2 miles one way from the Highway 93 trailhead, with roughly 1,350 feet of elevation gain, for a 4-mile round trip.
Is Goldbug Hot Springs free?
Yes. There's no fee or permit, just the hike from the trailhead south of Salmon.
How hot is Goldbug Hot Springs?
The NOAA thermal springs archive lists the source at 113°F (a 1980 historical estimate). The upper pools run close to that; the lower pools, mixed with creek water, typically sit in the 90s to low 100s°F.
Can you camp at Goldbug Hot Springs?
Not at the pools. A forest order in effect through March 2028 prohibits camping within 500 feet of the springs, so treat it as a day hike.
Is Goldbug Hot Springs open in winter?
There's no seasonal closure, but snow on the exposed trail and higher creek crossings during spring runoff make it a harder trip outside summer and early fall.
Do you cross private land to reach Goldbug?
Yes, briefly. The first quarter mile of trail crosses private property under a public recreation easement before entering Salmon-Challis National Forest.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked August 2026. Read our full methodology.