Goldbug Hot Springs, Natural hot spring in Lemhi County, Idaho.
Multiple thermal pools cascade down a mountainside near Salmon, forming a series of pools with water temperatures ranging from 28 to 41 degrees Celsius.
Native American tribes utilized these geothermal waters for centuries before settlers discovered the springs during the 1800s mining expeditions in Idaho Territory.
The springs maintain their natural state through community stewardship, with visitors adhering to specific guidelines to preserve the environmental balance.
The two-mile trail to reach the springs gains 1,350 feet in elevation, requiring sturdy footwear and sufficient water for the round-trip journey.
The thermal pools offer mineral-rich soaking opportunities against a backdrop of the Salmon-Challis National Forest mountains throughout all four seasons.
Location: Idaho
GPS coordinates: 44.90519,-113.92965
Latest update: May 16, 2025 08:21
Idaho's remote locations offer access to diverse landscapes ranging from alpine lakes nestled in mountain ranges to volcanic formations and high desert terrain. The state contains geological features formed over thousands of years, including lava tubes that preserve ice year-round, sand dunes rising hundreds of feet, and one of North America's deepest river canyons. Historic mining towns preserve architecture from the silver boom era, while natural hot springs dot the landscape alongside waterfalls that cascade through forested valleys. These destinations span from the granite spires of City of Rocks National Reserve, where climbers tackle routes on 600-foot rock formations, to Priest Lake in the northern forests, stretching 19 miles through conifer-covered wilderness. Visitors can explore the black lava fields of Craters of the Moon, spanning over 1,100 square miles, or descend into caves where ice formations persist despite surface temperatures. The Snake River carves through Hell's Canyon at depths reaching 7,900 feet, creating opportunities for rafting and fishing. Whether hiking to Sawtooth Lake at 8,800 feet elevation, observing stars from an observatory at Bruneau Dunes State Park, or walking through the Victorian streets of Wallace, these locations provide experiences across Idaho's varied terrain.
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Borah Peak
86.3 km
Frank Church–River of No Return Wilderness
82.6 km
Lemhi Pass
39 km
Big Hole National Battlefield
85.8 km
Clark Canyon Dam
85.2 km
Custer
83.7 km
Bayhorse
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Hotel Metlen
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Birch Creek Charcoal Kilns
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Mackay Reservoir
107.9 km
Jim McClure–Jerry Peak Wilderness
103.4 km
Merriam Peak
108.1 km
USGS Peak
103.1 km
Mount Breitenbach
95.7 km
Donaldson Peak
95.4 km
D. O. Lee Peak
105.2 km
Arctic Point Fire Lookout
107.6 km
Watson Peak
105 km
Odd Fellows Hall
30.2 km
Lemhi County Courthouse
30.6 km
Salmon City Hall and Library
30.2 km
Martin Barrett House
106.9 km
Ivan W. Day House
107.6 km
Thomas Chivers House
50.3 km
Boulder Point Lookout
107.6 kmReviews
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