Vaughn Hot Spring
Vaughn Hot Spring surfaces at 154°F, one of the hottest springs in the Boise National Forest. It sits at 3,680 feet elevation and lies just 116 meters from Middle Fork Road, making it one of the more accessible high-temperature thermal features in Idaho. Open to the public on Forest Service land.
The spring emerges along the Middle Fork of the Boise River corridor in Boise County, where steep, timbered canyon walls rise above the narrow valley floor. At 3,680 feet, the vegetation transitions between ponderosa pine at lower elevations and mixed conifer forests above. The area receives 30.1 inches of annual precipitation and 122 inches of snowfall. Middle Fork Road follows the river upstream from Idaho City, winding through a tight granite canyon with exposed rock faces and riverside gravel bars.
Documentation on this spring's early history is limited. The name likely derives from a local settler or landowner. The spring is managed by the US Forest Service within the Boise National Forest. Ninemeyer Campground, 2.3 km away, lost its amenities to a wildfire and currently operates as an undeveloped site with no fire rings during Stage 1 restrictions. The spring itself remains undeveloped.
Accessible by car on Middle Fork Road, though road conditions vary seasonally and can deteriorate in wet weather. Best visited mid-May through late September. Source water at 154°F causes severe burns on contact; do not enter without testing temperature carefully. Ninemeyer Campground nearby has no developed amenities due to wildfire damage. Idaho City, the nearest town, provides supplies and fuel. Bring sun protection as the canyon can reflect heat.
Is Vaughn Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
Overview:Due to a wildfire, there are no amenities at the campground. Currently there are no developed campfire rings therefore when Stage 1 fire restrictions area in effect, no fires are permitted.A stay at Ninemeyer Campground enables guests to enjoy all the beauty and recreation offered along the (Middle Fork Boise River Road) Forest Service (FS) Road 268. Weather is usually good from mid-May through late September and is easily accessible by car in good weather, although the road is some...