Pine Flats Hot Springs: trail, fee and temperature
Pine Flats Hot Springs sits on a cliff face above the South Fork Payette River, a half-mile walk from the campground of the same name outside Lowman. Several rock pools step down the cliffside at different temperatures, and the Boise National Forest charges the same $5 day-use fee it does at nearby Kirkham. It's a short-trail option in our hot springs in Idaho guide.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Lowman, Idaho; the springs sit about 6 miles west of town along the Banks-Lowman Highway |
| Access | Short walk, 0.5 mile, from Pine Flats Campground |
| Fee | $5 per vehicle day-use, the same interagency-covered fee charged at Kirkham; camping at Pine Flats Campground runs separately, $15 a night |
| Legal status | Public, Boise National Forest |
| Temperature (source, historical) | The NOAA/NCEI thermal springs archive lists this spring, recorded as "Pine Flat" (singular), at 138°F (historical estimate, base year 1980) |
| Temperature (pools, recent) | Roughly 95–110°F across the cliffside pools depending on how far they sit from the source, per current visitor reports |
Trail and access
From Pine Flats Campground on the South Fork Payette, a half-mile trail climbs to the pools built into the cliff face above the river. The Boise National Forest charges $5 per vehicle for day use, the same fee as Kirkham Hot Springs a few miles up the highway, and America the Beautiful interagency passes cover it. Camping at Pine Flats itself is a separate charge, $15 a night, for anyone wanting to stay near the springs rather than day-tripping.
The pools
Several rock pools sit at different points on the cliffside, with temperature dropping the farther a pool sits from the source. Current visitor reports put the range at roughly 95°F in the pools closest to the river up to around 110°F in the pools nearer where the water emerges from the rock, higher than the NOAA archive's 138°F historical estimate would suggest at the source itself but broadly consistent once mixing is accounted for. That spread means most visitors can find a workable temperature somewhere along the cliff, though the exact pool arrangement shifts after high water reshapes the rock and sand.
How this guide was researched
This page draws on Boise National Forest fee information, the NOAA/NCEI thermal springs archive, and published visitor reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees and site conditions are set by the forest and can change; verify current details with the Lowman Ranger District before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
How much does Pine Flats Hot Springs cost?
$5 per vehicle for day use, the same fee charged at Kirkham Hot Springs nearby. Camping at Pine Flats Campground is a separate $15-a-night charge.
How long is the walk to Pine Flats Hot Springs?
About half a mile from Pine Flats Campground, a short walk rather than a full hike.
How hot are the pools at Pine Flats Hot Springs?
Roughly 95–110°F depending on the pool, with hotter pools sitting closer to where the water emerges from the cliff.
Is Pine Flats Hot Springs near Kirkham Hot Springs?
Yes, both sit along the South Fork Payette near Lowman and share the same $5 day-use fee structure.
Can you camp at Pine Flats Hot Springs?
Yes, at the adjacent Pine Flats Campground, for a separate $15-a-night fee.
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.