Skillern Hot Springs

What to expect

Skillern Hot Springs is a creekside soak in the Smoky Mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest, at the end of a long gravel drive and a moderate day hike. The pools sit at about 5,900 feet beside Big Smoky Creek, about 3 miles up the trail from Canyon Transfer Camp. The map pin on this page marks that trailhead, not the pools.

The main pool is the reason to come. Hot water runs down a reddish-orange rock face beside the creek and collects in a small, rock-walled pool at its base, held in by a log dam. Visitors describe it as bathtub-shaped and tucked around a bend in the rock, so you may not see it until you are on top of it. A long-running Idaho hot springs site puts the water there at about 100-106°F38-41°C, with a slight smell and very clear water. It holds two to four people.

Below the source, people build smaller rock pools at creek level, where hot and cold water mix. These change from year to year. During runoff they are often underwater, and one older trip report found the lower pools flooded while the cliff pool was fine. In late summer and fall, when the creek drops, you have more choice.

Bring everything you need. There are no facilities at the springs.

Getting there

Skillern is reached from Fairfield, on US Highway 20 between Mountain Home and the Wood River Valley.

1. From Fairfield, drive north about 18 miles on Forest Road 094, over the hills toward the South Fork Boise River country.
2. Turn left onto Forest Road 227 and go about 5.5 miles.
3. Turn north onto Forest Road 085 (Big Smoky Road) and drive about 2 miles to Canyon Transfer Camp.

Those directions come from Recreation.gov. Expect about an hour of rough, winding gravel from Fairfield. The Smokey Bar Store sits at a fork before the trailhead and is the last place visitors report having cell service, so download maps before then. The campground has a large parking area and an information board.

The hike. The Big Smoky Trail #072 starts at the north end of the campground and follows Big Smoky Creek upstream. The trail is open to hikers, stock and motorcycles, so expect dirt bikes on summer weekends. Some branch trails, including the Skillern Creek trail, are closed to motor vehicles. Pick up a Motor Vehicle Use Map from the ranger station if you plan to ride.

About 2 miles in, the trail forks:

• The high trail climbs above the creek. It is harder work but keeps your feet dry, and most visitors recommend it.
• The low trail stays near the water and crosses the creek three or four times. Do not try those fords barefoot, and skip this route when the creek is high.

About another mile on, a sign marks the springs. Look for hot water running down the rust-colored boulder, then follow the rock around the bend on slick stones to the main pool. The round trip is about 6 miles and most people allow four hours plus soaking time.

When to go

Late July through fall is the best window. By then Big Smoky Creek has dropped, the low-route fords are manageable, and the creek-level pools are out of the water. Fall color along the creek is a bonus in September.

Late May to early July is possible but harder. The forest road is usually closed from October to mid-May and tends to open around May 20, but some years it stays snowbound until June or later. Snowmelt keeps the creek high and cold into July, and the low trail may be unsafe.

Winter is not practical. The road is closed to vehicles.

Weekends in summer bring anglers, hikers and dirt bikes up the trail. Go midweek if you want the cliff pool to yourself.

Rules and etiquette

• Swimsuits are required. Sawtooth National Forest Order 0414-00-033 bans public nudity on all Sawtooth National Forest land and roads from September 9, 2026, to September 9, 2031. A violation is a Class B misdemeanor, with fines of up to $5,000 for individuals and up to six months in jail. Trip reports written before September 2026 do not reflect this rule.
• No soap or shampoo in or near the springs, biodegradable or not.
• Share the pool. It holds only a few people. Rotate if others are waiting.
• Pack it out, including food scraps and toilet paper.
• Motorized rules: stay on trails open to your vehicle type and follow the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

No fee is listed for the trail or the springs.

Where to stay nearby

• Canyon Transfer Camp, at the trailhead, has seven single sites and three group sites with picnic tables, fire rings, drinking water and restrooms, plus horse corrals and a stock loading ramp. It does not take reservations.
• Primitive sites are scattered along Big Smoky Creek above and below the springs, which makes Skillern a good overnight backpack.
• Baumgartner Hot Springs campground, on FR 227 along the South Fork Boise, has a developed 101°F38°C soaking pool and reservable sites.
• Fairfield has the nearest motel, The Prairie Inn, along with places to eat such as Soldier Creek Brewing and The Wrangler.

Safety notes

• Creek crossings: Big Smoky Creek runs fast and cold in early summer. Use the high trail when in doubt and wear proper shoes for the fords.
• Slick rock: The rocks around the cliff pool and along the bend are wet and mineral-coated. Move carefully, especially with a pack.
• Heat: At over 100°F38°C, keep soaks short, drink water, and do not put your head under.
• Remoteness: There is no cell service at the trailhead or springs. Tell someone your plan and carry a map.
• Shared trail: Listen for motorcycles on blind corners.
• Wildlife: Deer and elk are common. Store food properly at camp.

Nearby stops worth adding

Big Smokey Hot Spring is listed much higher in the same drainage, more than 5 miles upstream as the crow flies. Very little is known about the soak there, so treat it as an exploration trip rather than a sure thing. On the drive out, primitive pools at Elk Flats near Featherville are a quick roadside stop.