Tschanne Hot Spring
Tschanne Hot Spring emerges at 109°F on BLM public land in Gooding County, with USGS-confirmed temperatures of 62.5°C and an alkaline pH of 8.3. The sodium-dominant water chemistry (94 mg/L sodium, near-zero calcium and magnesium) points to deep-source geothermal heating. Access requires a 424-meter walk from road 450E.
The spring lies at 3,300 feet in the semi-arid Snake River Plain of south-central Idaho, where sagebrush steppe and sparse desert scrub dominate the flat to gently rolling landscape. Annual precipitation is just 11.5 inches with 21 inches of snow, and average temperatures reach 53.5°F — a dry, continental climate with hot summers and moderate winters. The Shoshone Field Office manages this stretch of BLM land, which extends across broad basalt flats and shallow volcanic drainages south of the Snake River.
The name Tschanne is uncommon and its origin is not well documented in accessible records — it may derive from a local landowner or early settler surname. The spring lies in Gooding County, an area developed primarily for irrigated agriculture after the Milner Dam brought Snake River water to the desert in the early 1900s. Thermal features in this part of the Snake River Plain reflect the region's volcanic geology and proximity to the Yellowstone hotspot track.
Visit from spring through fall for the most comfortable conditions; summer temperatures in the Snake River Plain can exceed 100°F. The 424-meter walk crosses open desert terrain with no shade — bring sun protection and water. No developed facilities or campgrounds exist nearby. The nearest town, Gooding, provides basic services. Water at 109°F is hot enough for soaking but should be tested at the source, as temperatures may vary seasonally.
Is Tschanne Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
The water at Tschanne Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.3).