The National Forests With The Best Hot Springs

Forget the spa. Some of the best places to soak in hot, soothing water don't have fluffy robes, tiled walls, or a front desk. They have mountain trails, rushing rivers, and forests stretching in every direction. Natural hot springs bubble up in some of the country's wildest national forests, scattered across rugged Idaho backcountry, volcanic New Mexico peaks, and wild California canyons. Some are an easy walk from the road; others take a steep hike and a little determination. Slip into the steaming pools at these seven national forests, and it feels less like taking a soak and more like discovering a secret the mountains have been keeping.

Salmon-Challis National Forest

Some hot springs feel like a quick stop on a road trip. The ones in Salmon-Challis National Forest feel like you have to earn them. Scattered across Idaho's rugged mountains, these natural pools turn a hike into something much better: a chance to soak in warm, mineral-rich water with the wilderness all around you.

Goldbug Hot Springs is the showstopper. The spring's source reaches about 113°F, while the water cools as it flows through a series of pools, giving you different temperatures to choose from. A series of turquoise pools tumbles down a mountainside above Warm Spring Creek, with each pool offering a different view of the Idaho backcountry. The hike is steep in places, but it's part of the fun. And stepping into that first pool at the end makes the climb worth every drop of sweat.

Goldbug isn't the only game in town. Salmon-Challis is dotted with other hot springs, from easy-to-reach spots to primitive pools that require more effort to find.

That's what makes this forest such a great hot springs destination: the soak is only half the experience. Getting there means hiking, exploring, and leaving the crowds behind. Then you get to sit in steaming water and think, "Yep, this was worth the trek."

Santa Fe National Forest

If soaking in a hot spring surrounded by volcanic mountains in New Mexico sounds intriguing, put Santa Fe National Forest on your travel list. The forest is home to several hot springs, but San Antonio Hot Springs is the one that steals the show.

Set into the Jemez Mountains, San Antonio is a collection of natural pools built into the hillside, with water emerging from the source at a steamy 129°F. By the time it reaches the upper soaking pools, it's cooled to around 105-110°F, with the lower pools getting progressively cooler. The hot water spills from one pool into the next, so you can move around until you find a temperature that feels just right.

Getting to the springs adds to the adventure. They sit away from the bustle of Santa Fe, surrounded by pine tree slopes and the rough landscape of the Jemez. Once you reach the pools, you will understand why people make the trip.

Santa Fe National Forest stands out because it has both geothermal water and classic New Mexico scenery. You're soaking in a landscape shaped by ancient volcanic activity, with the kind of setting that makes an ordinary dip feel like an adventure.

Umpqua National Forest

If you like your hot springs with a side of Pacific Northwest scenery, Umpqua National Forest is a strong contender. Deep in Oregon's Cascade Range, Umpqua Hot Springs sits on a rocky hillside above the North Umpqua River, where a collection of natural pools overlooks the forested canyon.

The water emerges from the ground at roughly 115°F, then cools as it moves through the pools. The soaking pools range from about 100°F to 115°F, so you can find a spot that's comfortable without giving up the thrill of soaking in naturally heated water.

Getting there doesn't require a major expedition, either. A short trail leads from the parking area to the springs, making Umpqua a nice change of pace from hot springs that demand a long backcountry hike.

What really gives Umpqua its wow factor is the setting. The pools perch above the North Umpqua River, surrounded by evergreens and Cascade mountain scenery. With the steam rising from the pools on a chilly day, you've got the kind of hot spring scene that looks almost too good to be real.

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest takes the hot spring adventure up a notch. Within the mountains and wilderness of Southern California, the forest has four hot springs open to visitors: Big Caliente, Little Caliente, Sespe, and Willett. Some are relatively accessible, while others require serious hiking into the backcountry.

Big Caliente is a good place to start, especially if you want the hot-spring experience without a major backcountry trek. Water emerges from the spring at about 115°F before flowing into pools where cooler water can be mixed in to create a more comfortable temperature. But if you're looking for something truly wild, head deeper into the Sespe Wilderness.

Willett Hot Spring has a soaking pool that stays around 100°F, and nearby Sespe Hot Springs is a completely different beast. Water at the source can reach a scorching 194°F, but as it flows downhill and mixes with cooler water, it creates pools that can be comfortable for soaking.

Los Padres National Forest is a great option for those who like to choose their own level of adventure. A relatively easy trip to Big Caliente or a rugged trek into the Sespe Wilderness can both end with a soak in naturally heated water and a story worth telling.

Boise National Forest

Boise National Forest in Idaho is a hot springs playground. The forest has numerous geothermal pools, with some clustered along the South Fork Payette River and the Banks-Lowman Highway. That makes it easy to turn a hot spring hunt into a scenic road trip, with forests, rivers, and mountain views along the way.

Kirkham Hot Springs stands out for its multi-level pools beside the South Fork Payette River, hot water spilling down the rocks in small waterfalls. The water source temperature is around 110°F, although the soaking pools are cooler. Nearby Pine Flats Hot Springs reaches about 105°F, and Bonneville Hot Springs can reach 130°F at its source.

There's no settling for one hot spring at Boise National Forest. Pine Flats, Kirkham, Bonneville, and Trail Creek are all within the forest, and each has its own setting and character.

The variety Boise National Forest offers is what makes it so appealing. You can pull off the highway for a relatively easy soak or seek out a more secluded pool, then continue down the road to the next one. It's less about finding one perfect hot spring and more about having an entire stretch of Idaho wilderness to explore.

Payette National Forest

For a hot springs trip with a little old-school charm, Payette National Forest is tough to top. Covering more than 2.3 million acres in Idaho, the forest is packed with mountains, rivers, and backcountry. Among them are several places to warm up.

The star of the area is Burgdorf Hot Springs, a historic soaking spot about 30 miles north of McCall. Its three pools are framed by logs and fed by natural hot springs. The two smaller pools at the source reach about 113°F. The larger pool ranges from 96°F to 113°F, depending on the season.

Burgdorf Hot Springs isn't the only option in Payette National Forest. For something much more manageable, the Warm Springs Creek Trail leads 1.8 miles to a natural hot spring right along the creek. There's no fancy resort here, just a trail, a forest, and a place to soak.

Payette lets visitors choose their version of the hot spring experience. Spend the day soaking in a historic pool at Burgdorf, or hike to a more basic spring where your soundtrack is the creek and the wilderness around you. The adventure continues in the winter when visitors can navigate to Burgdorf by snowmobile.

Bridger-Teton National Forest

In Wyoming, the Bridger-Teton National Forest's hot spring sits in mountain scenery you'd expect to see on a postcard. Granite Hot Springs sits in the Gros Ventre Mountains south of Jackson, next to Granite Creek.

The temperature changes with the seasons, which is part of what makes this hot spring interesting. The pool reaches about 112°F in winter, while summer temperatures can drop to around 93°F as snowmelt and cooler water influence the spring.

The spring's history is a bonus. The original pool was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1933, and the Forest Service continues to oversee the area. In the summer, you can drive in; winter turns the trip into more of an adventure because you need to use a snowmobile, skis, snowshoes, or a dogsled.

Granite Hot Springs is one of the best hot springs because it combines an authentic mountain soak with a little history and four seasons of adventure. One day, you could be hiking through the Gros Ventre Mountains, and the next, you could be sitting in 112-degree water while snow piles up around the pool.

Where the Trail Ends, the Soak Begins

The hot springs in these national forests turn an ordinary trip into something you'll remember. Maybe it's the satisfaction of hiking into a remote pool, the steam rising against a mountain backdrop, or just sinking into warm water while the rest of the world feels miles away. Idaho's rugged backcountry, Oregon's evergreen forests, and New Mexico's volcanic landscape all prove you don't have to book a luxury resort to find an unforgettable soak. Sometimes the best spa in the country is a natural pool at the end of a trail. The only reservation you need is the one you make with yourself to go find it.