Take a Hike | Goldbug Hot Springs
A couple weeks ago we shared our entire itinerary for our “tour de Idaho” as I’ve been lovingly referring to it. We had such a great time, but there are a few things we felt were extra special and warrant their own posts.
Because the weather is changing to perfect weather for hot-springing, I thought I’d start with our hike to Goldbug Hot Springs.
The second day of our trip also happened to be our 10 year wedding anniversary, so it was fitting that we got to do one of the activities we were most excited about. Goldbug Hot Springs has been on my Idaho bucket list for many years.
Note: I highly recommend getting either a very early start or very late start to avoid the heat (if it’s summer) and the crowds. Even first thing in the morning the springs were very crowded. This is a very popular attraction, but we also happened to be there over a holiday weekend.
For those who are following from northern Idaho, this is not a day trip. The drive to Goldbug is nearly six hours so I highly recommend camping nearby or staying in Salmon. There were a few hike-in camping spots along the trail, but they seem to be pretty popular.
For those coming from central/eastern Idaho, this is totally doable in a day. At just a 3.5 mile hike (round-trip) it’s friendly for even the most novice of hikers. The end does get a bit steep and rocky in places, so do be prepared for that.
The springs themselves are gorgeous. A stream of cascading pools down the hillside. The pools vary greatly in temperature, and with a little additional hiking, we were able to find a pool that was both private and the perfect temperature.
The surrounding area was high desert, but along the stream it was very lush. I kept picturing it like an oasis in a mountainous desert. We soaked for about two hours, enjoying our little sanctuary and making plans for the rest of our trip. We finally decided to leave because we were getting pruney, and because Juneau was increasingly losing what little chill she had.
I was hoping to get some really cool photos of the main pools (famously known for their amazing views) but because there were so many people, I didn’t really feel comfortable whipping out my camera. Because there were so many people, there were very few in the nude, but I didn’t want to accidentally catch someone.
The trail is dog-friendly but please be sure to keep you pup leashed as it’s highly trafficked and because hot springs are delicate areas - be sure to leave no trace and clean up after yourself and your pet.
I’m so thankful we were able to work Goldbug into our trip - I can officially cross it off my Idaho Bucket List, although I would absolutely love to go back post-pandemic and stay in Salmon for a few days. Such a great town!
Be sure to leave any questions or stories you’d like to share in the comments below.
