Kirkham is a really special place in Idaho, and I always recommend a day trip to these hot springs to anyone visiting Boise. Do you like waterfalls? Do you like hot springs? Do you like whitewater rivers and forests? Kirkham is all of these things merged into one place. At this hot spring, warm water cascades down from the rocky hills and creates pools in the rocks on a mountain river in the Boise Forest. The temperature of the falls is fairly hot, but it is still comfortable enough to stand or sit under, even in the summer, and the pools get cooler the closer they are to the river. The area is completely natural with no human construction or concrete so some of the rocks can be a little slippery and craggy – be careful walking around. The pools themselves are mostly rocky and gravelly.

My favorite thing to do here, even in the colder months, is to jump into the freezing cold river and float back down to the pools. The icy cold / hot contrast of the water is similar to the old practice of bath hydrotherapy, which is really good for the muscles. However, you should do this at your own risk since there are no lifeguards around. You might run into a park ranger, but other than that, you’re on your own here. If you want to hike before or after your soak, you can take the scenic Kirkham Ridge Trail, which is about a quarter mile away from the springs. This is very long trail (35 miles) and you can walk, bike, or take horses on it.

The springs are located near Lowman, ID – about two hours from Boise – and are right off Highway 21.

Where to Stay

There used to be camping right at the hot springs, but it has been recently closed down. There are a lot of sites in the Lowman area though, that are both reserved and unreserved. If it’s too cold to camp, there are plenty of rentals in Donnelly or Idaho City, or you could stay at a local B&B like the Eagle Horizons Mountain Oasis. Additionally, it isn’t that far from Boise, so you if you are staying there you can and should make a day trip up to the springs.

What to Expect

Due to its proximity to Boise and ease of access, the rangers at the hot springs have dealt with a lot of bad behavior in recent years – part of the reason why the campsite was closed down. Please take out your trash and respect other people. You can bring your dogs, but they cannot go into the pool. You can also bring alcohol, but do not litter. This hot spring is clothing-optional as well, so keep that in mind. It is a $5 fee to visit.

Other Things to do Nearby

Kirkham is located in the middle of the Boise Forest which is filled with rushing rivers and mountains so there are a ton of outdoor activities to do in the area. You can hike, go mountain biking, kayak one of the lakes or rivers, camp, and go whitewater rafting. There is even another great hot spring nearby with a waterfall called Pine Flats Hot Spring. You could also take a detour to the historic Idaho City and explore the old mining town there, get ice cream, and have lunch or dinner at Trudy’s Kitchen.