Sunbeam Hot Springs: access, season and temperature
Sunbeam Hot Springs is a drive-up soak right on the Salmon River, about 11 miles northeast of Stanley on Highway 75, with rock pools and two recycled metal tubs fed by geothermal water hot enough to need diluting by hand. A 1937 stone bathhouse built by the Civilian Conservation Corps still stands nearby. It's free and one of the easiest stops in our hot springs in Idaho guide, though the season it works best in is narrower than most.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Nearest town | Stanley, Idaho (about 11 miles southwest) |
| Access | Roadside, directly off Highway 75 |
| Fee | None |
| Legal status | Public, Sawtooth National Recreation Area, highway pullout |
| Best season | July through October; spring runoff can submerge the riverbank pools |
| Temperature (source, historical) | The NOAA/NCEI thermal springs archive lists Sunbeam at 169°F (historical estimate, base year 1980) |
| Temperature (pools, recent) | Source water runs an estimated 160–180°F on the hillside, mixed by hand with river water to roughly 100–110°F in the tubs and pools, per current visitor reports |
Getting there and history
Sunbeam sits directly off Highway 75 about 11 miles northeast of Stanley, on the bank of the Salmon River, with a paved pullout that makes it one of the most accessible springs on this list. No hike is required and no fee applies. A 1937 Civilian Conservation Corps stone bathhouse stands near the site as a historic marker, a reminder that this spring has been a developed soaking stop for nearly 90 years even though today's pools are informal rather than built structures.
The pools
Rock pools and two recycled metal tubs sit right at the water's edge, fed by geothermal source water that the NOAA archive estimates at 169°F historically, with current reports putting the source closer to a 160–180°F range on the hillside above. A bucket left on site lets visitors scoop river water into the tubs and pools to bring the temperature down to a soakable 100–110°F, which means the comfortable range here depends partly on how much cold water you're willing to add. Because the pools sit right on the riverbank, spring runoff between roughly mid-March and June frequently submerges them entirely, which is why summer and fall are the more reliable season.
How this guide was researched
This page draws on Sawtooth National Recreation Area information, the NOAA/NCEI thermal springs archive, and published visitor reports. We haven't visited this site ourselves. River levels and access conditions change seasonally; verify current status with the Sawtooth National Recreation Area before you go. Last checked August 2026.
FAQ
Is Sunbeam Hot Springs free?
Yes, with no fee, permit or hike required.
How hot is Sunbeam Hot Springs?
Source water is estimated at 160–180°F. Visitors mix in river water by hand using a bucket to bring the pools and tubs down to roughly 100–110°F.
When is the best time to visit Sunbeam Hot Springs?
July through October. Spring runoff, typically mid-March into June, can submerge the riverbank pools entirely.
Do you need a car to reach Sunbeam Hot Springs?
No hike is required; it's a roadside pullout directly off Highway 75, about 11 miles northeast of Stanley.
Is there a bathhouse at Sunbeam Hot Springs?
A 1937 Civilian Conservation Corps stone bathhouse still stands near the site, though today's soaking happens in informal rock pools and metal tubs rather than inside the historic structure.
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.