Loon Creek Hot Springs (Lower Loon Creek)

What to expect

This listing covers the hot spring near the mouth of Loon Creek on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Rafters and river guides just call it Loon Creek Hot Springs. “Lower” separates it from Upper Loon Creek Hot Springs, a different spring many miles upstream on the same creek. If you are floating the Middle Fork, this is the one you will soak in.

The springs sit beside Loon Creek, one of the bigger tributaries of the Middle Fork, in the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness. The setting is forest and canyon with no road anywhere nearby. At the springs you will find a wooden soaking tub that looks out over the creek, and a large pool that holds about ten people. Loon Creek runs just a few steps away, and a quick plunge in the cold creek between hot soaks is part of the routine here.

These are not sulfur springs, so you will not come back to camp smelling of rotten eggs. No official temperature is published. The tub is filled from the spring and cools between fills, so test the water with your hand before getting in.

Loon Creek is one of six hot springs that boaters can reach in the first 52 miles of the Middle Fork, along with Trail Flat, Sheepeater, Sunflower, Whitey Cox and Hospital Bar.

Getting there

There is no road access. Nearly every visitor arrives on a Middle Fork of the Salmon float trip.

• By river: The usual launch is Boundary Creek, reached by about 26 miles of dirt road from Idaho Highway 21 between mileposts 109 and 110, northwest of Stanley. That road is closed by snow in winter and may not open until mid-June. Most groups reach Loon Creek on day three of a typical trip. The Forest Service lists the Big Loon hot springs camp at about river mile 49.3, and the Lower Loon airstrip at about mile 50.
• The walk up: From the river, the trail heads up Loon Creek past a historic ranch, crosses the Loon Creek bridge, then follows a forested path to the springs. River outfitters describe it as anything from half a mile (from Loon Creek Camp) to about 1.5 miles (from the Middle Fork), depending on where you tie up.
• By air: The Lower Loon backcountry airstrip near river mile 50 is used for river access when the Boundary Creek road is snowed in or flows are too low upstream. It is a dirt wilderness strip for experienced backcountry pilots.
• On foot: The Middle Fork Trail #4001 follows the river from the Boundary Creek area, but it is a multi-day wilderness trek, with rockfall, downed trees and spring flooding. Check the Salmon-Challis trail condition report first.

If your group is assigned a different camp, you can still pull over near the mouth of Loon Creek, hike up for a soak and carry on downstream.

When to go

The float season runs mainly from late May through September. The Forest Service lottery control season is May 28 to September 3, and pre-season and post-season trips are reserved first come, first served.

• Early summer brings high, cold water on the Middle Fork, and big flows on Loon Creek can make the creek side of the springs rough.
• July and August are the classic months. The river is friendlier, evenings are warm, and a cold creek plunge is welcome.
• Late August and September have lower water and cooler nights, when a hot soak feels best. From August 8 to September 15, permits are limited to 12 watercraft because of Chinook salmon spawning.

Winter floats are rare because of ice, low water and access problems.

Rules and etiquette

The Middle Fork is a wild and scenic river inside a wilderness area, and its rules apply at the springs.

• Permit required. A float permit is needed year-round. In the control season, it comes through the Four Rivers lottery on Recreation.gov. Applications run December 1 to January 31, and results go out February 14. Fees are $4 per person per day or a $40 Salmon River Season Pass, plus a $6 reservation fee.
• One hot springs camp per trip. Big Loon is one of six designated hot springs camps (with Trail Flat, Scout, Sheepeater, Sunflower and Hospital Bar). Each group can be assigned only one, and it is not guaranteed.
• No public nudity. The Middle Fork rules ban it, so wear a swimsuit.
• No soap or waste in the springs or the creek.
• Camps are shared. An assigned camp does not give you exclusive use. Visiting another group’s camp after 7pm is discouraged, and keep music down after 7pm.
• No drones. Unmanned aircraft are not allowed in the wilderness.
• Leave No Trace. Pack out all trash, use a firepan and carry out ashes.

Where to stay nearby

You camp on the river. Big Loon is the designated hot springs camp, and groups assigned to it can soak in the evening and the next morning. Nearby river camps include Loon Creek Camp and Cow Camp, just downstream of the creek, and Shelf and White Creek, upstream. Camps are assigned through the permit, so you do not choose on the day.

Before and after the trip, Boundary Creek Campground, next to the launch, has 15 units. Stanley is the closest town for supplies, gear and lodging before you head to the put-in.

Safety notes

• Remoteness: This is one of the most remote places in the lower 48. There is no cell service, and help is hours or days away. Carry a satellite messenger and a full first-aid kit.
• Hot water: Test the tub and pool before you get in, and get out if you feel dizzy.
• Loon Creek: The cold plunge is part of the fun, but the creek is fast in early summer. Stay near the edge.
• Footing: The trail and creek rocks are uneven. Wear real shoes, not river sandals with no grip.
• River hazards: The Middle Fork has class III to IV+ rapids. Go with an experienced trip leader or a licensed outfitter.

Nearby stops worth adding

Downstream, Hospital Bar is the last soak on the river, a small spring near river mile 52. Upstream, Sunflower Hot Springs is the best known on the Middle Fork, with several pools that get hotter as you climb and a hot shower pouring off the rock ledges. Near the start of the trip, Sheepeater Hot Springs is a short walk up from its camp.