Burgdorf Hot Springs

What to expect

Burgdorf is one of the oldest hot springs resorts in Idaho and still feels like a mining-era camp. It sits in an open meadow at about 6,100 feet in the Payette National Forest, surrounded by weathered log cabins and conifer forest. There is no electricity in the cabins, no running water and no restaurant. The pools are the reason to come.

The pools

There are three pools, all walled with logs and floored with gravel and sand:

• The main pool is large, roughly the size of a small swimming pool and about five feet deep in places. Hot water flows in at around 150 gallons a minute, and the operator gives its temperature as 96-113°F36-45°C depending on the season.
• Two small pools sit right at the spring source. These are about 113°F45°C, hot enough that most people only manage a few minutes.
• A shallow children’s area is partitioned off within the main pool.

The water is natural mineral water with no chlorine. The pool is drained and cleaned twice a month, which is why two days each month are closed on the booking calendar.

Changing rooms are open-style, with no private stalls. They are warmed by radiant coils that carry heat from the pools, so they run about 20 degrees warmer than the air outside. On very cold days staff may light the wood stove.

History

The springs were used long before settlers arrived. Fred Burgdorf, a German immigrant who had mined in nearby Warren, settled here in the late 1860s and had a resort running by about 1870. It was rebuilt and expanded in 1902 during a new mining rush. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district in 1972. Ownership and managers have changed over the years. In October 2026 the resort announced a new management team.

Getting there

Burgdorf is about 32 miles north of McCall.

Summer and fall (roughly June to November): From McCall, head north on Highway 55 and turn right onto Warren Wagon Road. Follow it about 28 miles north, then turn right onto Burgdorf Road (Forest Road 246) for about one more mile to the resort. Check road conditions early and late in the season, when snow can linger. Park in the lot by the dressing rooms. The pools and cabins are a short walk from the car.

Winter (roughly December to April): Warren Wagon Road is only plowed as far as the Francis Wallace (FW) parking lot, about 23 miles short of Burgdorf. Beyond that it is a groomed snowmobile trail, and wheeled vehicles are banned with fines. Pay the parking fee at the FW lot and use the marked overnight rows if you are staying. The Brush Creek lot is the other option. The last two miles from the French Creek Road junction are groomed less often and can be rough. Grooming happens two to five times a week depending on funding and conditions.

McCall has several snowmobile rental outfits, including Cheap Thrills, CM Backcountry, Mountain Meadows and Brundage Mountain. There is no fuel at Burgdorf. Secesh Stage Stop, about 7 miles away, and Baum Shelter Too in Warren, about 20 miles away, sell gas.

When to go

Summer and early fall are the easy months. You can drive in, the meadow is green, and wildflowers and wildlife are common. September weekdays are a good balance of open roads and fewer people.

Winter is when Burgdorf is at its most memorable. Snow piles high around the log walls and steam rolls off the main pool. It takes planning: a snowmobile, cold-weather gear and a reservation. Many people book a cabin for two nights rather than ride 46 miles round trip for a two-hour soak.

Shoulder seasons: The resort closes for short periods in late fall (November to December) and spring (April to May), when there is too much snow to drive and not enough to ride. The road usually opens for the summer around June 1. Check the website before you plan a trip in these months.

Prices and booking

All visits are by reservation through the resort’s online booking system. Bookings open 90 days ahead.

• Day soaks: Two-hour sessions between 10am and 6pm. As of 2026, $20 for adults 16 and over, $15 for children under 16 and seniors 65 and over, plus tax. Soaks can be booked online until three hours before they start. Closed Wednesdays.
• Cabins: Fifteen rustic cabins, from two-person cabins with one bed to the Castle, which sleeps ten. Most are winterized. Each has a wood stove, firewood and kindling, mattresses with a pad and a clean sheet, and rechargeable lighting. There is no electricity or running water, and outhouses are nearby. Bring your own bedding (rated well below 0°F−18°C in winter), food, cookstove and cooking gear. Check-in is after 3pm and check-out is 11am. There is a two-night minimum, though one-night stays are sometimes possible in quiet periods. Cabin guests have 24-hour pool access without a soak reservation. Cabin prices vary by cabin and are shown when you book.
• What is not included: Towel and swimsuit rental has ended, so bring your own. The small store sells drinks, candy, hot drinks, burritos and muffins.

Rules and etiquette

• Swimsuits on. Bring your own suit and towel.
• No alcohol in the hot springs or around them. Cabin guests may drink inside their cabin.
• No pets. Service animals are welcome.
• Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at all times.
• Medical conditions: The resort asks guests with health conditions to check with a doctor before soaking.
• Arriving late: The office closes at 6pm. Call ahead if you will arrive after 5pm.

Where to stay nearby

The simplest option is a cabin at Burgdorf itself, which also gets you around-the-clock pool access. Otherwise:

• McCall, about 32 miles south, is the base for most visitors, with hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants and full services.
• Secesh Stage Stop, about 7 miles away, has food and fuel.
• Warren, about 20 miles beyond Burgdorf, is a small historic mining town with limited services.

Safety notes

• Hot pools: The two small source pools are about 113°F45°C. Keep soaks short and get out if you feel lightheaded.
• Winter travel: The snowmobile trail is 23 miles each way through remote country. Ride with a partner, carry spare fuel, warm layers and a headlamp, and know the avalanche and weather forecast.
• Cold: Nights in the meadow can fall far below zero. Have dry clothes ready for the walk from the pool to your cabin.
• Drinking water: The resort tests a cold spring outside the store and says it is safe to drink. Bringing your own water jug is still a good idea.
• No services: There is no fuel, no electricity in the cabins and only limited food. Bring what you need.