Bull Creek Hot Springs
Bull Creek Hot Springs surfaces at over 127 degrees Fahrenheit in the Boise National Forest at 5,200 feet elevation, reached by a short walk of about 400 feet from Bull Creek Trail. The water's pH of 9.5 and extremely low calcium at 1.6 mg/L make it among the softest thermal water in Valley County, set in a mountain forest that receives nearly 15 feet of snow annually.
The trail from Bull Creek drops through dense conifer forest to where the springs emerge along the creek. Steam hangs in the trees during cooler months, and the air carries a light mineral scent. The water is remarkably clear, running over pale rock with minimal staining from its low mineral load. Surrounding peaks rise above the forest canopy, and in winter the snowpack transforms the drainage into a quiet, buried landscape where only the steam and open water mark the thermal source. Summer brings wildflowers and the steady rush of snowmelt in Bull Creek.
Central Idaho's geothermal systems feed dozens of springs in this stretch of the Boise National Forest, where the Idaho Batholith's fractured granite provides pathways for deep-circulating water. Bull Creek's chemistry, with 64 mg/L sodium and negligible magnesium at 0.1 mg/L, confirms a classic Batholith thermal signature. USGS measurements record 53 degrees Celsius at the source, consistent with the original NOAA designation of hot.
The springs require a short walk from Bull Creek Trail, roughly 400 feet from the nearest road access. Peace Valley Campground, about nine miles away, is reservable and offers a base camp with hiking and OHV trails nearby. Source water exceeds 127 degrees and is dangerously hot; seek mixed pools where creek water cools the flow. Snow buries access routes from late fall through spring. Check conditions with the Boise National Forest ranger district before heading in.
Is Bull Creek Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Bull Creek Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.5).
Overview Peace Valley Campground sits just 27 miles north of Garden Valley, Idaho, at an elevation of 4591 feet. The beautiful Peace Valley offers excellent hiking, motorcycle riding, fishing, and hunting opportunities. Recreation Peace Valley offers several trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and OHV use. Peace Creek Trail and Bitter Creek Trail (both motorcycle trails) begin nearby. The Rattlesnake Trail and 465 ATV Trail are in the vicinity of the campground. Peace...