Leggit Creek Hot Spring
Leggit Creek Hot Spring sits at 6,686 feet in the Boise National Forest, one of the higher-elevation thermal features in Idaho. USGS measurements record water at 101 degrees Fahrenheit with a strongly alkaline pH of 9.6, and reaching it requires a nearly 1.2-mile hike through heavy timber in Camas County.
The spring emerges in dense subalpine forest along Leggit Creek, where the canopy of spruce and fir filters sunlight into narrow shafts that reach the forest floor. This is deep snow country, averaging nearly 175 inches annually, and the spring area remains snow-covered well into late spring. At an average air temperature of just 39 degrees, the warm water creates a persistent fog that clings to the surrounding trees. The creek's quiet murmur accompanies the faint sulfur smell of the alkaline discharge.
Total dissolved solids measure 234 milligrams per liter with sodium at 65 milligrams per liter and sulfate at 39 milligrams per liter, indicating moderate mineralization from circulation through the granitic Idaho Batholith. The high pH of 9.6 places this among the most alkaline springs in the region. The nearby Atlanta Ranger Station compound, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and Forest Service in 1933, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The hike in covers about 1.2 miles from the nearest access point, through terrain that can be difficult to navigate when snow lingers. Atlanta Cabin, a reservable historic CCC-era cabin at 5,800 feet, sits about 7 miles away and makes a good base for exploring the area. Roads to the cabin include rough washboard sections, so high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Check conditions with the Boise National Forest before planning a trip.
Is Leggit Creek Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Leggit Creek Hot Spring is alkaline (pH 9.6) with 234 mg/L total dissolved solids.
Overview Atlanta Cabin is located in the old mining town of Atlanta, Idaho, at an elevation of 5,800 feet. It is part of a historic ranger station compound built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Forest Service in 1933. This compound, known as the Atlanta Ranger Station Historic District, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.The roads to the cabin are generally well-maintained, although there are some rough washboard sections. Guests can drive to the cabin, but shoul...