Quick FactsOverview
About Sharkey Hot Springs
Sharkey Hot Springs, Idaho is a developed Bureau of Land Management recreation site in Lemhi County, on an open sagebrush hillside above the Lemhi Valley approximately 25 miles south of Salmon on Warm Springs Road. The facility features two large concrete soaking pools at around 103 degrees Fahrenheit, fed by a blended geothermal source at 112 degrees mixed with cooler water from a second borehole. The water is entirely natural and untreated. Two heated changing rooms, vault bathrooms, a fire pit with seating, and an interpretive kiosk complete the facility. A use fee for visitors aged 16 and older must be purchased in advance at recreation.gov, as cell service in the area is limited.
The site has historical roots in the Agaideka Lemhi Shoshone people, who used the springs as a sacred healing place for thousands of years. Named for Frank Sharkey, a rancher who settled here in the 1870s, the site operated as a developed bathing facility from the 1920s through the 1960s. The BLM rebuilt and reopened it in 2002.
For those seeking family hot springs near Salmon Idaho with a developed, structured soaking environment on public land, Sharkey is a well-maintained option with wide-open Lemhi Valley views and easy access from Highway 28.
Location & Access
Getting to Sharkey Hot Springs
Sharkey Hot Springs is reached from Salmon by driving south on Highway 28 for approximately 17 miles to the community of Tendoy. At Tendoy, turn left (east) on 17 Mile Road, then right at the T-intersection onto Lemhi Road (Old Highway 28). Continue to National Forest Road 185 (Warm Springs Road) and follow it approximately 2 miles to the springs. The BLM lists the total distance from Salmon as approximately 25 miles. The final section is gravel and can be muddy after rain or icy in winter. 4WD is advisable in wet conditions.
Cell service is limited throughout the approach and at the site. The use fee for visitors aged 16 and older must be purchased in advance at recreation.gov. Download or print the pass before leaving Salmon and keep it available for validation. The facility is closed Wednesday mornings for cleaning.
For those seeking hot springs near Salmon Idaho, Sharkey is the closest developed BLM soaking site to the city. Salmon has full services including fuel, food, and lodging for visitors combining a stop here with further exploration of the central Idaho hot springs corridor toward Challis and Stanley.
The site is day-use only with no overnight camping. BLM and Forest Service campgrounds along Highway 28 and the Salmon River provide nearby overnight options.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Sharkey Hot Springs
Sharkey Hot Springs suits families with children, day visitors, and road-trippers exploring the central Idaho hot springs corridor. The easy access by road, flat walk from the parking area to the pools, heated changing rooms, and structured concrete pool environment make it more accessible than most hot springs in the Salmon and Lemhi County area. The pools together accommodate around a dozen visitors and offer a comfortable soak at a consistent 103 degrees.
Swimwear is required throughout the soaking area. Sharkey is managed as a family-oriented developed public site, not a clothing-optional or primitive spring. Pets are not permitted in the pool area; keep all dogs restrained and away from the pools and changing rooms. No glass bottles are permitted at the site.
For those seeking family hot springs near Salmon Idaho with basic developed amenities on public land, Sharkey provides a clean, maintained option with heated changing rooms that make it practical in cooler weather. The sagebrush hillside setting and wide-open views of the Lemhi Valley and distant mountain ranges are a strong secondary draw that sets the visit apart from pool-only facilities elsewhere.
The site is not currently listed as wheelchair accessible. The parking area and walking path to the pools are on open terrain and may present challenges for visitors with limited mobility. The BLM interpretive kiosk provides historical context about the Lemhi Shoshone people and early settlers. The use fee applies to visitors aged 16 and older and is not waived by interagency passes.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Sharkey Hot Springs
Sharkey Hot Springs is generally safe as a maintained BLM site with clearly defined pools and basic facilities. The soaking pools run at approximately 103 degrees Fahrenheit, a comfortable range for most adults. Always test the water before entering and limit session time if you feel overheated or lightheaded. The geothermal source temperature of 112 degrees is above soaking range but the blended pool water is consistently managed within the usable range.
The access road beyond the paved section of Highway 28 can be muddy and slick after rain or in winter. One source notes that a 4WD vehicle is advisable in wet conditions and that a snowmobile may be required in winter. Check current road conditions before the trip if recent precipitation has occurred. The site is at approximately 5,500 feet elevation and weather can change quickly in the Lemhi Valley.
Cell service is absent or very limited throughout the approach and at the site. Purchase the recreation.gov use fee pass before leaving Salmon and carry it in printed or downloaded form. Emergency services for this area are based in Salmon. In the event of a non-emergency situation, Salmon is approximately 25 miles north on Highway 28.
The site is closed Wednesday mornings for cleaning. Arriving on a Wednesday morning will result in finding the pools unavailable. No overnight stays are permitted. The fire pit may be used subject to current BLM fire restrictions for the area, which change seasonally and during dry periods. Check current fire restrictions before using the fire ring. Leave No Trace principles apply throughout the site and the surrounding public land.
