Heading north of Fairfield, Idaho into Sawtooth National Forest is a beautiful sight! Find multiple hot springs north of Fairfield in the Soldier Mountains including Skillern Hot Springs, Worswick Hot Springs, and a couple very small ones next to the road. Keep reading to find Skillern Hot Springs, and learn all about the hike it takes to get to Skillern Hot Springs.
Skillern Hot Springs
Details of the hike: Skillern Hot Springs is a 6 mile hike round trip. 3 miles to the Hot Springs, then 3 miles out again. It is about 300-400 feet of elevation gain. There is no service here, but the trail is well marked & maintained.
While you’re on the way to Skillern Hot Springs, check out Solder Mountian Ski Area, Smokey Bar Store, and Big Smokey Creek. The entire drive through the national forest is stunning, especially in autumn. This road is NOT drive-able in the snow. It is generally inaccessible late November-early May. REMEMBER TO LEAVE NO TRACE.
How far away is the Idaho hot spring? Skillern Hot Springs is a 2 hour drive from Twin Falls, Idaho, or 2.5 hours from Boise, Idaho. The final hour of driving is on a bumpy gravel road. Be prepared to go slow and watch for wildlife.
PARKING: Turn right (east) at the Smokey Bar Store turn rather than going towards it. Here you’ll follow a road back a minute or two to the parking lot. There is a restroom as well as a trail map. There is a lot of parking!
Hiking to Skillern Hot springs
The trail follows the beautiful clear river. After walking about two miles on the fairly simple dirt path, there is a fork in the road. This sign says ‘High Trail,’ ‘Low Trail.’ The arrows point one way or another. Take the high trail if you want to avoid crossing the river. I highly recommend this route if you do not have experience crossing fast moving water. The High Trail makes for some awesome cardio because you’ll gain some elevation! Not too much though, it is still a trail that is simple. Hike for 3 miles to a big boulder area that will be steaming on a cooler day.
Skillern hot springs is not clearly visible right when you arrive at the boulder. Look for the hot water dripping down the rocks, colored in reds and oranges. These drips lead to pockets of water below the boulder, looking at the river!
DO NOT LEAVE TRASH. Pick up any trash you see. Yours or others! KEEP THIS HOT SPRING PRISTINE.
Be careful when navigating the slippery rocks. I recommend wearing water shoes in case there is anything sharp. This will lead to an awesome little bathtub-shaped hot spring on the edge of the boulder!
Just an FYI: Following the low trail doesn’t demand as much cardio, but requires crossing the river four times! It definitely is not for the faint of heart, or someone who can’t handle the freezing, alpine water. Especially in early summer when the river is raging. I really suggest doing the high trail only.
BEFORE YOU LEAVE LOOK AROUND AND LEAVE NO TRACE. Make sure you’ve left nothing behind. Be careful, let someone know where you are going, and be safe. Leave no trace!
Follow earthtosarahphoto on Instagram to see more Southern Idaho adventures and see more adventures around the world!
Here is a nice airbnb in Twin Falls to stay in (affiliate) Beautiful Suite in Twin Falls
Get a Best Western Hotel, always reliable! Best Westerns
Earth to Sarah 