How to Visit Idaho’s Goldbug Hot Springs Oasis
Soak in Idaho's picturesque Goldbug hot spring with this complete travel guide. Featuring everything you need to know before you go, including how to get to the hot springs, the best time to visit, & much more.
After leaving Northern Idaho where we rode the Route of the Hiawatha scenic bike trail and spent a day in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, we started to make our way south for the first time in 8 months.
Our next stop on our Idaho roadtrip was in the small community of Elk Bend, just 30 minutes south of Salmon in Central Idaho. Elk Bend is home to one of Idaho’s most remote hot springs oasis, also known as the Goldbug Hot Spring.
Since visiting the Bozeman Hot Springs in southern Montana we became hooked on soaking in every natural hot spring we could. We spent one summer morning soaking in the springs with our dogs and it is by far a highlight of our road trip through Idaho. If you have just one day or a few days to spare, Idaho’s Goldbug Hot Springs is totally worth a visit!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Getting to Goldbug Hot Springs
When to Visit
What to Bring
Amenities Nearby
About the Trail
GETTING TO GOLDBUG HOT SPRINGS
Goldbug Hot Springs is located in Elk Bend just 30 minutes south of the town of Salmon in Central Idaho. It’s surrounded by a gorgeous mountain scenery with the Salmon-Challis National Forest to the West and the Lemhi Mountain Range on the East. It’s located an hour from the Montana border making it a short days drive from the areas popular cities.
Salmon, Idaho - 24 miles or 30 minutes
Missoula, Montana - 164 miles or 3 Hours
Idaho Falls, Idaho - 184 miles or 3 Hours
Twin Falls, Idaho - 225 miles or 4 Hours
Boise, Idaho - 226 miles for 4.5 Hours
Bozeman, Montana - 250 miles or 4 Hours
The trailhead for Goldbug Hot Springs is located East off Highway 93 on Warm Springs Rd. There is a road that goes to a private residence right next to the trailhead so make sure you turn down the correct road and not the private residence.
WHEN TO VISIT
The Goldbug Hot Spring via the Warm Springs Trail is open year round with seasonal temperatures varying greatly. Summers can reach the 90’s with winters hanging out below freezing. Always check for current conditions before hiking to these springs. It’s also recommended to bring micro spikes when hiking this trail in the winter due to the possibility of ice and snow.
TIP | The earlier you can start the trail the better. This is a very popular spot and you are likely to be sharing the pools with other hikers by the afternoon. We got to the springs around 9:30 a.m on a Thursday in August and had it to ourselves for a good hour.
WHAT TO BRING
Bathing Suit
If you’re looking to go in the hot springs don’t forget to bring a bathing suit. We wore ours under our clothes, so we didn’t have to worry about changing once we got there. There are no bathrooms at the springs.
Water Shoes
Best for getting in and out as well as navigating your way around the springs. The floor is mostly rocks of various sizes and can be a little slippery so having some water shoes would be a great idea. Griffin loved having this doggy boots to explore the hot springs.
Water
Most of the trail is in the sun so be sure to pack plenty of water to stay hydrated especially in the summer. We love these insulated water bottles to have ice cold water all day.
Towel
This isn’t something we typically bring on a hike but is nice to be able to dry off after soaking in these natural hot springs. We love these Turkish towels because they are light weight and dry fast.
Hiking Shoes
There are some steep and rocky sections of the trail to the Goldbug Hot Spring so it’s best to have a supportive hiking shoe or boot when navigating the trail.
Sunscreen/ Hat
Most of the trail to the hot springs is exposed so it’s important to have the proper sun protection especially during the hot summer days.
Lunch/Snacks
Goldbug Hot Spring is a beautiful place, and you might not want to leave. Pack a lunch or bring some snacks and make the most of this remote hot spring’s oasis.
AMENITIES NEARBY
Elk Bend
A small community located just south of Salmon, Idaho.
Lodging
Salmon Gypsy Bed & Breakfast
Elk Bend RV Park
Food
The Dusty Mule Bar & Grill
Salmon
A small rural town located on the Salmon River in Central Idaho.
Lodging
Stagecoach Inn
Super 8 by Wyndham
Sacajawea Inn
Salmon River Inn
Greyhouse Inn Bed & Breakfast
Twin Peaks Guest Ranch
Syringa Lodge
Solass Bed & Breakfast
Food
Baker Country Market
Mountain Harvest Community Market
Junkyard Bistro
The Pork Peddler
Last Chance Pizza & Pasta
Rise & Shine Espresso
Our campsite at Elk Bend RV Park, located 5 minutes down the road from Goldbug Hot Springs.
ABOUT THE TRAIL
Distance: 3.6 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Elevation Gain: 895 ft. | Time: 2 Hrs.
The Goldbug Hot Springs via the Warm Spring Trail is a 3.6 mile out and back trail with 895 feet of elevation gain. The trail starts by crossing the Warm Springs Creek with a steep uphill climb through sage brush.
It’s important to note the first part of the trail is on private property so do be sure to be respectful and stay on the path.
For the next 1.4 miles the trail is fairly smooth and flat as you walk along the Warm Springs Creek. If you are looking to camp overnight there are a hand full of camp sites along the creek.
The last half mile of the trail is a steep and rocky climb to the top. Remember to take your time and be careful as you make your way through rocky parts of the path. Once you’ve made to the springs there are many pools to enjoy each varying in temperature. We found the top two pools to be the most comfortable and spacious. We brought our dogs, and they loved it.
Let us know if you’ve ever hiked to Goldbug Hot Springs in the comments below!
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HEY THERE!
WE’RE MIKE & DEANDRA.
Two adventure seekers traveling the U.S in our 37 FT. travel trailer with our two companions, Griffin & Lucy. We share our life on the road and travel guides to our favorite destinations.
This post contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
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