Wolf Hot Spring
Wolf Hot Spring delivers 113°F water at 5,126 feet elevation in Camas County, maintaining a temperature 68 degrees above ambient air. A short walk of 291 meters from Mink Road provides access. No land ownership or management data appears in federal records, and no chemical analysis has been published for this spring.
The spring sits in the high desert-to-forest transition zone of south-central Idaho near Fairfield. Sagebrush steppe gives way to scattered stands of juniper and pine across the rolling terrain. Annual precipitation averages about 17.6 inches with 61 inches of snowfall, typical of the intermediate elevations between the Snake River Plain and the higher Sawtooth and Smoky ranges. The South Fork Boise River drainage lies to the north, and the Camas Prairie extends westward.
The spring's name references wolves, which historically roamed throughout this region of central Idaho and have been reestablished since the 1995 federal reintroduction program. No specific development or settlement history is documented for this thermal feature. The broader Camas County was named for the camas lily, a root vegetable that sustained Shoshone and Bannock peoples for centuries. Dog Creek Campground, the nearest reservable site at 30 km away, reflects the area's dispersed recreation pattern.
At 113°F, the source water requires cooling before soaking. The 291-meter walk from Mink Road crosses open terrain. Summer and early fall are the practical visiting season given the 61 inches of average annual snow. No facilities exist at the spring. Dog Creek Campground, 30 km away along the South Fork Boise River, offers established sites near Paradise Hot Springs. Bring all water and supplies, as services are distant.
Is Wolf Hot Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Dog Creek Campground is located on the banks of Dog Creek, at the foot of the Trinity Mountain Range. It is four miles from the town of Pine, in south-central Idaho. Visitors enjoy fishing, swimming and exploring local trails. Recreation The South Fork Boise River is less than a quarter-mile away from the campground, offering rafting, swimming and fishing for rainbow trout. Paradise Hot Springs is nearby. Green Creek Trail 270, a 4.5-mile trail for hiking, horseback riding, biking a...