Kirkham Hot Springs is a landmark of sorts among Idaho's many wild hot springs.
Here, environmental destruction due to excessive popular concentration is a problem.
Mountainside pools
Of the large number of undeveloped hot springs scattered throughout the mountains north of Boise, one of the most famous is probably Kirkham Hot Springs.
![Overview 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs10.jpg)
You can see it across the South Fork Payette River while driving the Idaho State Highway 21; there is a huge hill of mineral deposits.
![Overview 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs13.jpg)
Because of its easy accessibility and spectacular appearance, it is very crowded on weekends.
![Parking Lot 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs25.jpg)
This caused serious environmental damage, and the US Forest Service, taking the situation seriously, closed the adjacent campground.
Fortunately, a day use is permitted.
![Entrance Closed 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs24.jpg)
Crossing the bridge on foot, which was closed to vehicles, I found the campground intact on the other side of the river.
![Entrance Closed 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs11.jpg)
Day use is $5.00 per vehicle。
I fed the bills into the fare box and posted the stub in my car parked on the shoulder of the road.
![Signboard 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs12.jpg)
Several small springs were found on the slope behind the former 16-site campground.
Let us call these mountain-side pools for convenience.
![Parkside Pools 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs09.jpg)
The spring water runs directly down the slope to a series of primitive rock pools.
![Parkside Pools 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs14.jpg)
The gushing point was nearly 122 degrees F, but the temperature had dropped to the proper level in the pools.
![Parkside Pools 03](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs15.jpg)
Clothing is required.
It is in an open area, so it will have to do.
![Parkside Pools 04](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs16.jpg)
Riverside pools
Hot water spills out of the mountainside pools and travels through a channel to the South Fork Payette River.
At its confluence are riverside pools.
![Signboard 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs01.jpg)
This is the heart of Kirkham Hot Springs.
An observation deck, interpretive signs, and a boardwalk were in place.
![Signboard 03](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs02.jpg)
Above the riverside pools were several other sources with higher temperatures and higher gushes.
![Water Outlet 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs08.jpg)
The boiling water gushing from the top of the hill was 157 degrees F.
![Water Temp 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs17.jpg)
It flowed down to the river, spreading out like a fan on the rocky slopes.
![Water Outlet 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs07.jpg)
Here, the water from the mountainside pools, sliding down from the left, mingled with the hot water coming from the hill on the right.
![Waterfall 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs05.jpg)
A tremendous sight of steam rising up from the water.
![Alpaca](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/alpaca150.png)
![Capybara](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/10/capybara150.png)
![Waterfall 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs03.jpg)
The rocky terrain was very slippery due to the hot spring algae, so please walk with caution.
![Soaking 04](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs04.jpg)
There were several pools of hot water suitable for soaking in the cascade-like area, and people were dipping in the warm waterfalls.
![Riverside Pools 01](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs21.jpg)
The temperature of the pools varied from channel to channel, and there were places where the water was too hot to enter.
![Soaking 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs22.jpg)
There was also a rock pool close to the surface of the river.
Indeed, it was watered with river water, but with such clean water quality, I had no complaints.
![Riverside Pools 02](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs20.jpg)
I particularly liked this small pool, located downstream on the trail from the riverside pools.
Few people noticed its existence, and I was able to take the time to enjoy the tasteless, odorless, hot water.
![Riverside Pools 04](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs18.jpg)
With this spectacular view, it is no wonder it is too popular.
![Riverside Pools 03](https://hotspringers.net/ja/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2022/07/kirkham-hot-springs19.jpg)
Summary
Kirkham Hot Springs, Boise National Forest, Idaho, U.S.
My rating
Type: Undeveloped (fee required)
Rule: Clothing required
Chemical use: No
Water temp: Up to 157 degrees F