White Arrow Hot Spring
White Arrow Hot Spring reaches 145°F, making it dangerously hot for direct contact. Located at 3,300 feet in Gooding County's high desert, it requires a short walk of about 181 meters from the road. The sodium-dominant chemistry with near-absent calcium (1.7 mg/L) and magnesium (0.1 mg/L) points to circulation through silicic volcanic rock at considerable depth.
The spring sits in the arid Snake River Plain terrain of south-central Idaho, where sagebrush steppe extends across broad lava fields and basalt plateaus. Annual precipitation barely exceeds 11 inches, and snowfall averages just 21 inches, leaving the landscape dry and exposed most of the year. The elevation is low by Idaho standards, and the surrounding terrain is flat to gently rolling. No major rivers run immediately adjacent, though irrigation canals cross the broader agricultural zone near Gooding.
Documentation for White Arrow Hot Spring is sparse beyond geochemical survey data. The name does not appear tied to any well-known historical figure or event. The spring has not been commercially developed. Its extremely high temperature and remote high-desert setting have kept it largely as a geological curiosity rather than a recreational destination. No ownership or management information is recorded in federal databases.
This spring is far too hot for soaking at 145°F and poses a serious scald risk. Approach with caution and keep children and pets away from the source. No campgrounds are nearby. The desert setting means summer heat can be extreme, with air temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F. Carry ample water and sun protection. Winter access is straightforward given the low elevation and minimal snowfall.
Is White Arrow Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at White Arrow Hot Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 8.3).