Bear Creek Hot Spring

What to expect

Bear Creek Hot Spring is a long walk for a small soak, and it is worth being clear about that before you go. The spring sits deep in the Bear Creek drainage, in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest on the west side of Palisades Reservoir. OpenStreetMap places it near the South Fork of Bear Creek, past the upper end of the main Bear Creek Trail. A long-running Idaho hot springs site lists it under the Palisades area but has no trip page for it, which says a lot about how few people make the trip.

What you find at the end is a primitive, undeveloped spring with a small pool. There is no reliable published temperature. The spring does not appear in the GPS lists of Idaho thermal springs that cover most of the state’s soaks, and trip reports are thin. Conditions also change with the season and with how recently anyone has cleaned out or rebuilt the pool. Arrive with low expectations and a backup plan, and think of it as a soak for tired legs rather than a steaming pool for a cold night.

The real draw is the canyon itself. Bear Creek runs down a long side valley above the reservoir, and on a weekday you may have the upper trail to yourself. If you want a quiet day in the hills with a soak as a possible bonus, this fits. If the soak is the whole point, eastern Idaho has easier and better-documented springs.

Getting there

The trailhead is on the west side of Palisades Reservoir, southeast of Swan Valley and near the small community of Irwin.

• From Idaho Falls: Take US 26 east through Swan Valley and Irwin toward Palisades Dam. Bear Creek Road starts near the dam and runs south along the west shore of the reservoir to the mouth of Bear Creek.
• From Jackson, Wyoming: Take US 26 west through Alpine and along the east shore of Palisades Reservoir to the dam, then pick up Bear Creek Road on the west side.

Check road conditions with the Palisades Ranger District of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest before you go, especially early in summer, when snowmelt and washouts are possible on backroads.

The Bear Creek Trail starts near the reservoir and heads west up the canyon. On OpenStreetMap, the main trail runs a little over 4 miles up the creek, and a short bypass trail is mapped near its lower end. From the top of the main trail, the route continues south and west onto the South Fork Bear Creek Trail toward the spring. Travel coverage of the hike puts the full round trip at about 13 miles. Allow a full day, carry a map or offline GPS track, and set a turnaround time.

A trail that follows a creek canyon this closely is likely to meet the water more than once. Wear shoes that can get wet, or carry a spare pair, and expect a slow pace at any crossing.

When to go

July to September is the realistic season. Earlier in the year, snowmelt raises Bear Creek and its forks, crossings become hazardous, and snow can linger on the upper trail. By mid-summer the water drops.

Summer heat is the other factor on a 13-mile day. Start early, carry plenty of water or a filter, and wear a hat and sunscreen.

Fall brings cooler hiking and better soaking weather, but also hunting season. Wear bright colors from September on.

Winter and spring are not practical. The road, trail and creek are all affected by snow and runoff, and a small spring in a side canyon is not something to attempt on snowshoes.

Rules and etiquette

• No fee is known for the trailhead or the spring.
• Leave no trace. There are no toilets, bins or facilities on the trail. Pack out everything, and bury human waste at least 200 feet from water.
• No soap or shampoo in the pool, including biodegradable kinds.
• Clothing is up to whoever is there. At remote springs, nudity is common. Ask first and respect the people already in the water.
• Do not dig new pools or dam the creek. Small springs like this are easily damaged, and the next visitor should find it as you did.
• Fires: Use an existing fire ring if you camp, and check current fire restrictions with the forest first.

Where to stay nearby

• Dispersed camping: National forest land around the spring and along the trail is generally open to dispersed camping, so an overnight halfway or at the spring takes the pressure off the distance. Camp at least 200 feet from water and use existing sites when you can.
• Palisades Reservoir campgrounds: The Caribou-Targhee National Forest runs several campgrounds around the reservoir. Check Recreation.gov for current sites, prices and dates.
• Swan Valley and Irwin: Small lodges, cabins and a few places to eat along US 26.
• Idaho Falls or Jackson: Full services and the most lodging, each a long drive from the trailhead.

Safety notes

• Bears: The Caribou-Targhee is bear country. Carry bear spray where you can reach it, make noise in thick brush, and store food in a bear-resistant container or hang it if you camp.
• Creek crossings: Do not cross when the water is high and fast. Unbuckle your pack, use poles, and turn back if a crossing looks bad.
• Distance: This is a long day. Carry enough water or a filter, extra food, a headlamp and a warm layer, and do not push on past your turnaround time.
• Water: Natural spring water can carry bacteria and amoebas. Keep your head above the surface and do not drink it.
• No signal: Expect little or no cell coverage in the canyon. Tell someone your route and when you plan to be back.
• Uncertain conditions: Few people report on this spring, so its current state is unknown. Do not count on it being soakable, and treat the hike as the main event.