Dutch Frank Hot Spring (Roaring River Hot Springs)

What to expect

Dutch Frank Hot Spring is a working-class soak: a few small, shallow pools scraped out of the gravel at the edge of the Middle Fork Boise River, where very hot spring water seeps out and meets the cold current. Idaho hot springs guides list it as Roaring River Hot Springs, because it sits near where the Roaring River comes into the Middle Fork. Federal water records name it Dutch Franks Hot Spring.

The heat is serious. A US Geological Survey sample in May 1981 measured the source at 149°F65°C, with very soft, alkaline water (pH about 9.6). Hot water comes up in several places along the bank. Soakers stack rocks into low walls to trap it, then let in enough river water to bring the temperature down. One cycling traveler in 2008 described the setup as a very hot source running through a few cooling pools before reaching a soaking pool at the river’s edge, and he had an easy time balancing the inflow. Other visits have gone worse. A hot springs reviewer in 2006 found most of the pools unusable, and in 2009 found only one decent pool, a bit silty.

That variability is the main thing to know. Spring runoff flattens the pools every year, and they have to be rebuilt. As the river drops through late summer, pools that were fine in July can get too hot and people dig new ones closer to the water. Some days you will find a good soak waiting. Other days you will need a few minutes with your hands and some rocks.

The pools are in plain sight of the road and the water is clear. There are no facilities of any kind.

Getting there

Dutch Frank is on the Middle Fork Boise River Road (Forest Service Road 268), the long, rough route from Arrowrock Reservoir up to the old mining town of Atlanta.

• From Boise: Drive east on Highway 21 to the Lucky Peak area and take the turnoff for Arrowrock Reservoir and the Middle Fork Boise River Road (FS 268). Follow it past Arrowrock Dam and up the reservoir, then continue upriver along the Middle Fork. For scale, the Forest Service puts Queens River Campground near Atlanta about 62 miles from the Highway 21 turnoff. Dutch Frank is well up the canyon, a few miles downstream of Granite Creek Hot Spring.
• From Idaho City in summer: Several forest roads off Highway 21 drop south to the Middle Fork Road and can shorten the drive. Check a current Boise National Forest map before trying one.

The road is gravel and dirt the whole way past the dam, with long stretches of heavy washboard. Plan on slow going, and a high-clearance vehicle makes it more comfortable. The road is narrow with blind corners and has a history of serious accidents in summer, so keep your speed down and watch for oncoming trucks.

The springs are right beside the road, near the Roaring River confluence. One 2008 traveler described the soaking pool as being across the river from the road, with a bridge close by. Look for steam and rock-ringed pools along the bank, park well off the road, and walk down.

Expect a long day. This is not a quick trip from Boise, and many people make it part of a multi-day loop through Atlanta and the other Middle Fork springs.

When to go

Late July to October is the reliable window. The river has dropped, the pools are above water, and the road is dry. Fall weekdays are the quietest.

Spring and early summer are a poor bet. Runoff covers the pools and the rebuilding has not happened yet.

Winter access is mostly off the table. Most roads into the Atlanta area close, and the one route that stays open is described by regular visitors as sketchy in a typical winter.

2026 fire closures: The Crooked Fire burned northeast of Idaho City from August 2026, and the Boise National Forest issued an area closure running to December 31, 2026, unless rescinded. Its boundary follows the North Fork Boise River down to the Atlanta Road. The road itself was excluded from the closure, but conditions can change. Check the Boise National Forest alerts page or call the Idaho City Ranger District before you drive.

Rules and etiquette

The spring is on Boise National Forest land, with no fee and no posted hours.

• No soap or shampoo, biodegradable or not. It is prohibited in public hot springs and can bring a fine.
• Swimsuits are required. A Boise National Forest order prohibits public nudity on all national forest land in the forest from August 27, 2025, through August 27, 2030. The pools are also in plain view of the road.
• Rebuild, do not wreck. Moving rocks to adjust temperature is normal. Leave the pools in usable shape for the next person.
• Pack out everything. Overnight parties have left trash here in the past, and that is exactly what draws bears.
• Campfires: Follow current Boise National Forest fire restrictions.

Where to stay nearby

There is no lodging at the spring.

• Neinmeyer Campground (USFS): A few miles downstream past Browns Creek Hot Spring. It is an old campground with a stone toilet building and no drinking water. A large hot waterfall spring sits across the river.
• Troutdale Campground (USFS): Farther downriver on the Atlanta Road.
• Barber Flat Cabin: A Forest Service rental cabin in the area, booked through Recreation.gov.
• Queens River, Riverside and Power Plant campgrounds (USFS): Upriver near Atlanta, around 62 to 69 miles from the Highway 21 turnoff.
• Dispersed camping: Primitive sites line the river along FS 268. Pick an established spot and keep it clean.

Safety notes

• Scalding water: At 149°F65°C, the source can burn. Feel the water in several places before you sit, and stir the pool because hot pockets form near the vents.
• The river: The Middle Fork is cold and fast in early summer. Do not wade out into the current.
• Road: Washboard, dust and blind curves make for slow driving. Carry a full-size spare, plenty of fuel and water, and expect no cell signal.
• Bears: A bear has raided trash here in the past. Store food in your vehicle or a bear-resistant container.
• Insects: Horseflies can be fierce on summer afternoons along the river.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Middle Fork Boise has one of the densest strings of hot springs in Idaho. Granite Creek Hot Spring is about 4 miles upstream, also roadside. Browns Creek Hot Spring, a few miles downstream, has hot water falling over the bank but needs a low-water river ford. Elsewhere along the same road you can add Loftus Hot Springs and Sheep Creek Bridge, and at the top of the valley, Chattanooga Hot Springs in Atlanta.