Hot Springs
Hot Springs Campground is located just east of Garden Valley, Idaho along the Banks-Lowman Highway at an elevation of 3169 feet. Visitors enjoy rafting, kayaking, fishing on the South Fork Payette River, and soaking in the hot springs at the river's edge.
Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
More like this: first-come in Idaho · reservable in Idaho · big rigs in Idaho · group sites in Idaho
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Group sites | 3 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 99 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
3 sites in 3 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | People / vehicles | Accessible |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 002 | GRP2 | Pull-through | 45 | Paved | Partial | 200 / 25 | Yes |
| 003 | GRP3 | Back-in | 99 | Paved | Partial | 50 / 10 | Yes |
| 001 | HOT | Back-in | 99 | Paved | Partial | 200 / 25 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 99 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Fees | Group Site 1 & 2 (up to 200 people) are:1-100people = $106.48 and 101-200 people= $212.96. Group Site 3 (Up to 50 people)is: $106.48 |
| Accessibility | Sites 002, 003, 001 are listed accessible |
The campground contains three accessible group sites with picnic and serving tables, grills and campfire circles with benches. Sites 1 and 2 can accommodate up to 200 people each; Site 3 can accommodate up to 50 people. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Because of its proximity to the highway, some noise from passing traffic is to be expected.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | Beginning of May to End of September |
| Forest | Boise National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov at or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Fees for additional people will be collected at the campground as outlined in the fee schedule if party size is larger… |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Boise, Idaho, take State Highway 55 north 35 miles to Banks. Turn east onto the Banks-Lowman Highway and go 17 miles to the campground, which is on the lefthand side of the highway.
| Nearest town | Emmett, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 44.0617° N, 115.9178° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedRx Lowman Wui
23 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Eco Lounge Freeride Shop ↗ | 32.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Happy Camper ↗ | 33.8 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Worth a stop
Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway. The area offers scenic views, wildlife watching, historical information kiosks, and several hiking opportunities. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities on the South Fork and Main Payette Rivers. Several companies in the area offer guided half and full-day trips.
- 10 mi
- 12.9 miJulie Creek Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miStation Creek2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miAnderskin3 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 3.4 miLeft Fork Danskin ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.4 miAirline ↗10.1 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 4.6 miDanskin Creek4.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
Trailheads within three miles
- 0.2 miStation Creek Trailhead ↗Boise National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
This campground sits inside Boise National Forest.
- inBoise National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,526,862 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Natural features
The campground is situated at the foot of a forested hillside. Towering Ponderosa pines are scattered throughout the site, offering partial shade. Summer wildflowers dot the landscape.
Recreation
The South Fork Payette River is across the road from the campground, offering fishing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. A natural hot springs soaking pool is located on the river directly across the road and down a staircase.
Guidebooks for Idaho
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Hot Springs?
For some sites. Some sites take reservations on Recreation.gov. Others are first-come, first-served.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Hot Springs?
Group Site 1 & 2 (up to 200 people) are:1-100people = $106.48 and 101-200 people= $212.96. Group Site 3 (Up to 50 people)is: $106.48
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Hot Springs?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Hot Springs have?
3 sites, including 3 group sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Hot Springs?
Recreation.gov lists no practical vehicle capacity limit for the largest site here, which usually means pull-through or open parking. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are there accessible sites at Hot Springs?
Sites 002, 003, and 001 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Hot Springs?
The South Fork Payette River is across the road from the campground, offering fishing, whitewater rafting, and kayaking. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Hot Springs?
Emmett, Idaho. Numerous natural hot springs pools can be found along the Banks-Lowman Highway, also known as the Wildlife Canyon Scenic Byway.
Source: Getting there
What if Hot Springs is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Tie Creek Campground (10.1 mi, first-come), Pine Flats (11.7 mi, partly first-come), and Hardscrabble Campground (12.3 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby