Discovering Hidden Hot Springs in the Western US: Nature’s Best-Kept Secrets

I’ll never forget the first time I stumbled across a truly hidden hot spring. It was 2018, somewhere in the Sawtooth Mountains of Idaho. My hiking buddy Jake and I had heard whispers about it from a local barista who’d scribbled directions on a napkin. Three miles of hiking later, with aching shoulders and blistered heels, I was about ready to call Jake some choice names for dragging me out there when we rounded a bend and… there it was. ( Hidden hot springs Western US )

Steam rising from a series of pools that cascaded down to a mountain creek. Not another soul in sight. The contrast of slipping into that hot water with snow-dusted pines all around us… man, I still get goosebumps thinking about it.

That’s the magic of hidden hot springs. No entry fees, no gift shops, no crowds. Just you and whoever you’ve chosen to share the experience with, soaking in water heated by the earth itself. After nearly a decade hunting these natural gems across the Western US, I figured it’s time to share some of what I’ve learned – while still keeping the very best spots my little secret (sorry not sorry).

Table of Content

Why I’m Obsessed With Finding Hidden Hot Springs

Listen, I’ve been to the fancy hot springs resorts. I’ve paid $75 to sit in a tiled pool with piped-in new age music and a cocktail service. It’s nice. It’s relaxing. But it’s not the same thing.

There’s something almost primal about finding a natural hot spring. You’re experiencing something humans have sought out for thousands of years. Indigenous peoples considered many of these springs sacred healing sites. Early settlers built communities around them. There’s history in these waters.

Plus, I’m cheap. And antisocial. So free, remote hot springs check a lot of boxes for me.

Quick Science Stuff (I Promise It’s Interesting)

So what makes hot springs… hot? Basically, you’ve got groundwater that seeps deep into the earth where it gets heated by geothermal energy (think magma or really hot rocks). Then that water finds its way back to the surface, bringing along all sorts of dissolved minerals.

The Western US is basically hot spring heaven because we’re sitting on the “Ring of Fire” – which sounds like a bathroom issue but is actually a zone of volcanic and earthquake activity that circles the Pacific. This creates the perfect conditions for hot springs to form.

Each spring has its own mineral cocktail – some are high in sulfur (hello, egg smell), others rich in lithium, calcium, or magnesium. This is why some springs have milky blue water, others are crystal clear, and some have that rusty orange color from high iron content.

My Favorite Hidden Hot Springs Worth Finding

1. Travertine Hot Springs, California

The Eastern Sierra is my happy place, and Travertine is a prime example of why. The springs have formed these amazing natural tubs made of travertine mineral deposits, and they look out over the most incredible mountain views. I’ve watched many a sunrise from these pools.

Finding it: From Highway 395 near Bridgeport, take Jack Sawyer Road and follow a somewhat rough dirt road. The springs are about a mile in. Any passenger car can make it unless it’s been raining hard.

When to go: Weekdays in May or October. Summer weekends are an absolute zoo, and you’ll be sharing your soak with at least 15 Instagram influencers.

Real talk: The first pool is usually crazy hot – like “boil a lobster” hot. Test with your hand before committing your whole body. I saw a guy jump straight in once and the string of curse words that followed could be heard in Nevada.

2. Umpqua Hot Springs, Oregon

These springs are just cool looking – a series of tiered pools on a hillside above the North Umpqua River. The main pool is basically a natural hot tub with a killer view.

Word of warning: This place has gotten way more popular in recent years. Check the Forest Service website before going because they sometimes close it for cleaning or environmental remediation. And yes, clothing is optional here. Prepare to see butts of all shapes and sizes.

Personal disaster story: My first visit, I didn’t bring water shoes and slipped on the algae-covered path between pools. Did a full banana-peel style fall and bruised my tailbone so bad I had to sit on a donut cushion for two weeks. Learn from my stupidity.

3. Goldbug Hot Springs, Idaho

Probably my all-time favorite, Goldbug requires actual effort to reach (which means fewer people). It’s a 2-mile hike with some decent elevation gain. The payoff? A series of cascading pools with little waterfall features between them. The top pool is hotter, each one gets progressively cooler as you move down.

Pro move: Bring a hammock and string it up between pools for napping. I usually soak-nap-soak-repeat all day when I make it out here.

Food tip: The town of Salmon (about 25 miles away) has a surprisingly good pizza place called Bertram’s Brewery. Their IPA and a pie with whatever seasonal toppings they’re featuring will taste like heaven after your hike out.

4. Arizona Hot Springs, Arizona/Nevada Border

These springs hide in a narrow slot canyon near the Colorado River. The coolest feature is this 20-foot hot waterfall that fills several pools of different temperatures. You access it through this crazy ladder system in the canyon.

Absolute must-know: DO NOT try to visit in summer. The trail closes May 15 to September 30 because people have literally died of heat exposure attempting it. Desert + 110°F temperatures = bad news.

Cool option: You can actually kayak or canoe to these springs from the Colorado River side. I did this as part of a 3-day paddling trip, and arriving by water made it even more special.

5. Wyoming’s Secret Spots

I’m being intentionally vague here because some places deserve protection from becoming the next social media hotspot. Wyoming has some incredible thermal features outside of Yellowstone that locals have managed to keep relatively quiet. Make friends with people in small towns, be respectful, and you might get lucky with some hand-drawn directions.

Reality check: Wyoming weather is completely bipolar. I once started a spring soak in sunshine and finished it in a snowstorm. In June. Layer up and always have a rain jacket handy.

Stuff You Should Definitely Bring

I’ve learned most of these lessons the hard way, so benefit from my mistakes:

What to Pack	Why I Learned to Bring It
Quick-dry towel	After dragging a sopping wet regular towel for 4 miles back to my car
Water shoes	See: my tailbone incident at Umpqua
Nalgene bottle	Dehydration is real and sneaks up on you when soaking
First aid kit	For the inevitable slips on wet rocks
Headlamp	Because hiking back in the dark is terrifying without one
Plastic bag	For wet swimsuits and to pack out trash
Cheap watch	To avoid destroying your expensive one with sulfur water
Buff or bandana	To tie back hair or use as emergency TP (pack it out though!)

Look, I cannot stress enough how important it is to bring enough water. Hot springs suck the hydration right out of you, and that post-soak headache is brutal. I usually bring a 32 oz bottle with some electrolyte mix per person. Drink it all.

Don’t Be That Person: Hot Spring Etiquette

Every year, more hot springs get closed to the public because people act like jerks. Don’t be why we can’t have nice things:

• About nudity: Some springs have a clothing-optional culture. If that makes you uncomfortable, either find a different spring or get over yourself. Just don’t show up and act shocked or make comments.
• Pack it ALL out: Nothing ruins the vibe like finding someone’s abandoned beer cans, cigarette butts, or (gag) used toilet paper. If you pack it in, pack it out. No exceptions.
• Hot water limits: Your body isn’t meant to soak in hot water for hours. Get out periodically to cool down. I usually do 15-20 minutes in, 10 minutes out.
• Glass = bad: One broken bottle can make a spring unusable. Use cans or plastic containers.
• Test before you leap: Some springs have spots that are literally boiling. Always, always test water temperature before getting in.
• Skip the booze: I know, I know. But alcohol plus hot water plus remote locations equals dangerous situations I’ve witnessed firsthand.

When to Go Spring Hunting

Each season brings its own hot spring vibe:

Winter: My personal favorite. Nothing beats soaking in hot water while snowflakes land on your shoulders. The contrast is incredible. Downside: Some springs require snowshoeing or skiing to access.

Spring: Good temperatures, fewer people than summer. But be aware of runoff – some springs can be muddy or even flooded during heavy snowmelt.

Summer: Early mornings or late evenings only, especially at lower elevations. Otherwise, you’re basically in a human soup pot.

Fall: My second favorite season for hot springing. Changing leaves make for killer scenery, and tourist crowds thin out dramatically.

The Ugly Truth About Conservation

I hate to get all preachy, but I’ve seen too many beautiful spots ruined not to mention this. Hot springs are fragile environments. The growing popularity of outdoor recreation and social media has put immense pressure on these places.

A spring I used to visit in Nevada – which I won’t name – went from pristine to trashed in about two years after it got popular on Instagram. Now there’s graffiti on the rocks, trash everywhere, and the access road is rutted beyond belief.

We all have to do better:

• Stay on established trails
• Never use soap in springs (yes, even the biodegradable stuff)
• Respect closure notices
• Consider volunteering for cleanup events

I know I sound like a park ranger’s pamphlet, but I’ve watched too many special places get loved to death.

Planning Your Own Hot Springs Road Trip

One of my lifetime highlights was taking three weeks to do nothing but hot spring hop across the West. If you’ve got the time, I can’t recommend it enough. Here’s a rough route that hits some amazing areas:

1. Start in Southern California’s desert springs
2. Head up 395 through the Eastern Sierra spots
3. Cut across to Central Oregon’s volcanic spring zones
4. Loop through Idaho’s backcountry springs
5. Finish in Western Wyoming’s hidden gems

Some practical advice if you try this:

• Don’t plan back-to-back hiking days. Your legs will hate you.
• Build in rest days in actual towns for laundry and real food.
• Bring twice as much car snacks as you think you need.
• Download offline maps because cell service is nonexistent at most springs.

Questions People Ask Me All The Time

“Are wild hot springs dangerous?” They can be if you’re stupid about it. Don’t soak alone in super remote areas. Be aware that some springs, especially in the Southwest, can contain brain-eating amoebas in warmer months (not even joking). Research before you go.

“Don’t I need permits or something?” Sometimes. Springs in national forests occasionally require wilderness permits. Check local regulations before visiting.

“I found this awesome unmarked spring. Should I post about it?” Please don’t, or at least be vague about the location. Once a spot blows up online, it’s never the same.

“Can my dog come?” Usually no. Many springs prohibit pets due to environmental concerns. Also, most dogs hate hot springs anyway – my Lab jumped in once and immediately noped right out with a look of utter betrayal on his face.

“How hot is too hot?” If you can’t keep your hand in it for 10 seconds, it’s too hot for your whole body. Most comfortable soaking is between 100-104°F. Anything over 112°F gets dangerous quickly.

The Hot Spring State of Mind

Over the years, hot springs have become more than just a fun activity for me – they’re a way of disconnecting and resetting. There’s no cell service. No emails. No social media notifications interrupting your thoughts.

I’ve had some of my best conversations with strangers at remote hot springs. There’s something about sitting together in warm water in a beautiful setting that encourages openness. I’ve met artists working through creative blocks, people healing from loss, couples celebrating anniversaries, and solo travelers finding their way.

I started keeping a small waterproof notebook to jot down thoughts and conversations from these encounters. Reading back through it is like visiting with old friends – the retired geologist who explained the mineral composition of the spring we were sitting in, the young couple who had just sold everything to travel for a year, the grandmother celebrating beating cancer.

Final Thoughts

I’m writing this from my apartment in [city], where the closest I get to a hot spring experience is making my shower too hot and closing my eyes. But in three weeks, I’m heading back out to chase that feeling again – the anticipation of rounding a bend in the trail and seeing steam rising, the first toe-dip to test the temperature, and the full-body sigh that comes with sinking into perfectly heated water in the middle of nowhere.

If you decide to seek out these experiences, remember that with great hot springs comes great responsibility (sorry, couldn’t resist). Take only pictures and memories. Leave only carefully placed footprints. And maybe, just maybe, keep your very favorite find to yourself.

So, who’s ready to go spring hunting?

Drop a comment below if you’ve found an amazing hot spring – just remember, we’re keeping the best spots secret to preserve them!