Sufficiently large pools and an elegant geothermal waterfall. This place is like the Rolls-Royce of wild hot springs. Pete Creek Hot Springs Along the Middle Fork Boise River, there are countless wild hot springs, and naturally, not all of them are conveniently located just before the river. Sometimes, like Pete Creek (Vaughn) Hot Springs, it can be difficult to reach a destination that's right before your eyes. From late August to early October when the river's water level drops, it seems possible to cross on foot, but during my visit the water level was somewhat dangerous. I contented myself with merely gazing at the geothermal waterfall where steam rose. Curtain-like Waterfall Loftus Hot Springs was located six minutes down the road from the Pete Creek Hot Springs, following the Middle Fork Boise River. From the state capital of Boise, it's a 2-hour and 15-minute drive via Arrow Rock Dam. Access is available year-round, but winter conditions can be extremely dangerous. Across the road, on the opposite side of the river, there was a large parking area. From there, just a few seconds up the hill, I discovered two pools. The upper pool was a massive one that could easily hold twenty people. The pool, dammed by rocks and earthen walls, was elegantly draped with cascading geothermal water. You could even go behind the waterfall, where candles left by previous soakers were placed. Like the Pete Creek Hot Springs, the sources seemed to be much higher up the slope. As I carefully climbed the slippery hill, ...
