Quick FactsOverview
About Baumgartner Hot Spring
Baumgartner Hot Spring, Idaho is a developed concrete soaking pool in the Sawtooth National Forest in Camas County, 11 miles east of Featherville along the South Fork Boise River. Hot mineral water emerges from a nearby source at approximately 111 degrees Fahrenheit and flows into a 15-by-20-foot concrete pool maintained at 101 to 110 degrees depending on the season. The pool uses a flow-through system with no chemical treatment, and is drained and refilled daily. Featherville, a small mountain community on the South Fork, is the nearest settlement.
The US Forest Service developed Baumgartner in the mid-20th century as a public soaking facility within the Baumgartner Campground. The pool features concrete benches, a surrounding deck, changing rooms, and vault toilets. It sits in a clearing among tall Engelmann spruce and Douglas fir beside the South Fork Boise River, where cold mountain water rushes past just feet from the warm soak. The water is alkaline (pH 9.1) and contains calcium, magnesium, sodium, sulfate, and chloride. This is one of the most accessible developed hot springs in Idaho, combining a maintained pool with a scenic forest campground setting.
The campground has 39 sites available by reservation through Recreation.gov.
Location & Access
Getting to Baumgartner Hot Spring
Baumgartner Hot Spring is located at the Baumgartner Campground in the Sawtooth National Forest, accessible by paved and gravel road with no hiking required. The pool is roadside, just 9 feet from the nearest road.
From Mountain Home on Interstate 84, drive approximately 70 miles northeast via Highway 20 and the Featherville Road through Pine and Featherville. From Featherville, continue east approximately 11 miles on the South Fork Boise River Road to the campground. The road is paved to Featherville and well-maintained gravel beyond. Any standard vehicle can make the drive in dry conditions.
Season and Fees
The pool and campground are open from late May through mid-September, coordinated with campground operations. Day-use visitors pay a five-dollar fee per vehicle at the self-service station near the entrance. No reservation is required for day use. The campground has 39 sites available by reservation through Recreation.gov. For visitors seeking hot springs near Featherville, Baumgartner is the primary developed option. Trinity Hot Springs, a commercial resort nearby, offers lodging with six rooms, two cabins, and camping alongside geothermal soaking pools and full resort amenities including lodging.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Baumgartner Hot Spring
Baumgartner Hot Spring suits families, casual visitors, and anyone seeking a comfortable, maintained hot spring soaking experience in a scenic forest setting. At 101 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the season, the pool temperature is comfortable for extended soaking. The concrete pool with benches and a deck is accessible to visitors of all ages and most physical abilities. Swimsuits are required.
The campground setting makes Baumgartner ideal for combining a soak with an overnight camping trip. The South Fork Boise River offers fishing and swimming in cold mountain water right beside the hot pool. Hiking trails in the surrounding Sawtooth National Forest provide additional recreation. The seasonal schedule (May through September) means planning is required, and popular weekends can be busy.
Accessibility at Baumgartner Hot Spring
The pool has concrete benches and a surrounding deck. Contact the Forest Service for specific accessibility details regarding the pool entry. The campground and road are accessible by standard vehicle. Those seeking hot springs in Idaho with developed facilities and easy access will find Baumgartner to be one of the best options in the southern Sawtooth region, combining Forest Service maintenance with genuine geothermal water in one of the best developed hot springs Idaho offers in a campground setting.
Safety & Etiquette
Baumgartner Hot Spring Safety Tips
Baumgartner Hot Spring is a managed Forest Service facility and is generally safe for all visitors. The pool temperature of 101 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit is comfortable but can feel hot during summer. Enter slowly and limit soaking sessions to 15 to 20 minutes, especially in warmer weather. Stay hydrated and take breaks.
Supervise children at all times near the pool and the adjacent South Fork Boise River, which is swift and cold. The pool is drained daily for cleaning and refills with fresh geothermal water. No soap, shampoo, or sunscreen should be used in the pool, as the flow-through system discharges into the natural creek system.
Campground and Forest Safety
The Sawtooth National Forest is home to black bears, moose, and mountain lions. Store food properly in camp. The elevation of nearly 5,000 feet means nighttime temperatures can drop significantly even in summer. Bring warm layers for evening soaking. The road between Pine and Featherville follows a narrow canyon and can be icy in spring and fall.
Rules and Guidelines
Swimsuits are required in the pool. No glass containers in the pool area. The pool is open from dawn to dusk only. Follow all posted Forest Service rules. The day-use fee of five dollars per vehicle is payable at the self-service station. Bring all food and supplies, as there are no services at the campground beyond vault toilets and drinking water. The nearest food and fuel are in Featherville (11 miles) and Pine (9 miles west of Featherville).
