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IDAHO SWIMMING HOLES

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ON STATE MAP BELOW: BLUE = swimming hole, RED = hot spring
FEATHERVILLE AREA GOLDBUG-SALMON AREA HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND JUMP CREEK FALLS LAIRD PARK MCCALL AREA OLD DAM ROPE SWING ST ANTHONY SAND BAR SWINGING BRIDGE BEACH THOUSAND SPRINGS S. P. JERRY JOHNSON HOT SPRINGS See a SLIDESHOW of swimming hole photos in this state.

This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


FEATHERVILLE AREA
[2 PLACES]
(FEAT)
NO PHOTOS TO STATE MAP
TOWNS BOISE, MOUNTAIN HOME, FEATHERVILLE
STATE ID
WATER Varies-see below
TYPE Varies-see below
DESCRIPTION Another great western hot/cold dip and camping combination within just a few miles of each other in the Sawtooth N. F.. For details, see DIRECTIONS below.
AREA Sawtooth N. F.
SANCTION Varies-see below
FEE Varies-see below
FACILITIES Facilities at the nearby campgrounds
ACTIVITIES Swimming, Hot Springs
PHONE Unknown
CAMPING At both sites, see below.
BATHING SUITS Varies-see below
DIRECTIONS From Boise, take I-84 southwest to Mountain Home the RT 20 north to the area of Dixie. Then take RT 61 northwest toward Pine and Featherville. In Featherville, turn east on RT 227. Then:

WILLOW CREEK [WILL]: Primitive hot spring - soaking spots alongside a trail along Willow Creek in the Sawtooth N. F. with developed N.F. campground nearby. To get there: from Featherville, go 7 miles east on RT 227 to Forest Rd 008. Turn left and go past the Willow Creek Campground about 1.5 miles to the end of the road where there is a horse camp. From here, follow the trail about .5 miles up Willow Creek to the hot springs area. There are a number of different hot soaking pools of different temperatures here. Bathing suits optional, no fee. LAT, LON lat=43.6402, lon=-115.1293(source: Topozone ) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 1/4/2006.

BAUMGARTNER [BAUM]: Somewhat developed hot spring (National Forest) and informal swimming place near Baumgartner Campground. To get there: From Willow Creek (above) continue about 4 more miles east on RT 227 to Baumgartner N. F. Campground. Nearby this campground there is both a swimming hole and a hot spring. The hot spring is led into a concrete pool and managed by the Forest Service - there is a parking fee here. Not sure exactly where the swimming hole is but it is very nearby. There is camping at the campground. LAT, LON lat=43.60583, lon=-115.07528(source: Topozone ) (accuracy: approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 1/4/2006.

CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/4/2006


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


GOLDBUG-SALMON AREA
[2 PLACES]
(GOLA)
PHOTOS BELOW TO STATE MAP
TOWNS STANLEY, SALMON, NORTH FORK
STATE ID
WATER Hot Spring/ Salmon River
TYPE Hot Spring/River
DESCRIPTION Another outstanding hot-cold pair, nearby each other in central Idaho. See DIRECTIONS below for details.
AREA Salmon N.F.
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE None
FACILITIES None
ACTIVITIES Hot Tubbing, Swimming
PHONE None
CAMPING There is very little level land at Goldbug site for primitive camping, likely to be full during busy times. There is established camping nearby Goldbug at Williams Lake. For the Salmon hole, on FR 030, past the Salmon swimming hole, there is camping in the National Forest at Corn Creek (may be full due to rafting). Go south from FR 030 on FR 055 (Panther Creek Rd.) to camp at Deep Creek on Panther Creek, much less crowded than Corn Creek.
BATHING SUITS Optional at Goldbug, Salmon hole is pretty exposed.
DIRECTIONS
From RT 93 in Salmon:

GOLDBUG HOT SPRINGS [GOLD]: At Goldbug Hot Springs, hot waterfall drops through several rock pools in a lush green crevice of a desert hillside. Very beautiful, not sulfurous. Requires a 2 mile hike (each way), steep in parts, but well worth the trip! A hot shower with a spectacular view. To get there: From Salmon, take RT 93 south for 23 miles to mile marker 282. Then go east (left) on a short gravel road to the parking area. Climb over the fence on the south side of the parking area and follow the well used trail. Walk across the footbridge then the trail begins heading uphill. In all, about a 2 mile hike up a canyon, steep at times, following a well established trail. LAT, LON :lat=44.9050, lon=-113.929(source: Web Site) (accuracy:exact). LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. PHOTO , LINK TO VIDEO . Verified. Very confident.

SALMON HOLE [SALM]: If the current isn't too strong, it is a real treat to swim in the legendary Salmon River. Here's remote spot with a fantastic view all around - with a nice sand beach and easy access. BE SAFE, DON'T SWIM IN STRONG CURRENT. To get there: From Salmon, take RT 93 north to North Fork. Go west (left) on FR 030 past Shoup and past the bridge where Panther Creek Road (FR 055) goes off to the left (south). Continue on RT 030 west to where the road crosses a bridge over the Salmon River. Just past this bridge, still on FR 030, there is parking on the left and a large sandy beach on the Salmon River where you may swim in the river IF THE CURRENT IS NOT TOO STRONG. If the beach is under water, you can be sure THE CURRENT IS TOO STRONG! Go down to Goldbug and soak! LAT, LON :lat=45.322644, lon=-114.418036(source: DeLorme) (accuracy: approximate). LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Verified. Very confident. No photo.
CONFIDENCE Very confident
VERIFIED Yes
DATE UPDATED 11/17/2001


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


HOT SPRINGS CAMPGROUND
(HOTS)
NO PHOTO TO STATE MAP  
TOWNS BOISE, BANKS
LAT, LON lat=44.056,lon=-115.911(source: map) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Hot Spring/South Fork Payette River
TYPE Hot Spring
DESCRIPTIONShort walk from a Forest Service campground to a series of hot spring pools high on the bank above the South Fork Payette River. Family crowd usually. Some river rafters. For campers, nice place for a night time dip and sky watching. Maybe can climb down and cool off in the river too.
AREA Boise N. F.
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE Fee to camp, none for hot springs
FACILITIES All facilities at campground
ACTIVITIES Hot tubbing
PHONE None
CAMPING Campground near site
BATHING SUITS Customary - family crowd usually
DIRECTIONS From Boise, take RT 55 north to Banks (35 miles). Turn east on the Banks/Lowman Highway. From Banks drive 17 miles to the campground. Watch for recreation signs. The hot springs is a short walk from the campground.
CONFIDENCE Very Confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/2014


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


JERRY JOHNSON HOT SPRINGS
(JERR)
SEARCH FOR PHOTOS TO STATE MAP
TOWNS MISSOULA MT, MOSCOW ID
LAT, LON lat=46.46292,lon=-114.87295(source: map) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Jerry Johnson Hot Spring/Lochsa River
TYPE Hot Spring
DESCRIPTIONWalk a little more than a mile to one of Idaho's most popular natural hot springs. Three hot springs in a row, each different. Clothing optional is the custom. Not open after sunset. WEB INFO
AREA Clearwater N. F.
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE None for hot springs
FACILITIES All facilities nearby at Jerry Johnson campground
ACTIVITIES Hot tubbing
PHONE None
CAMPING Nearby at Jerry Johnson campground
BATHING SUITS Optional
DIRECTIONS From Missoula, MT, travel west on RT 12 over the scenic Lolo Pass and into Idaho. Near mile marker 151 (near Jerry Johnson Campground) is a parking lot and trail that leads south from the suspension bridge over Lochsa River to the hot springs (a little more than 1 mile each way). Parking Area Coordinates: lat=46.46292, lon=-114.87295(source: map) (accuracy:approximate) LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
CONFIDENCE Very Confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 9/2014


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


JUMP CREEK FALLS
(JUMP)
LINK TO PHOTOS BELOW TO STATE MAP  
TOWNS BOISE, NAMPA, MARSING
LAT, LON lat=43.481138, lon=-116.924443(source: map) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Jump Creek
TYPE Falls
DESCRIPTION Easy .5 mile round-trip walk to swimming place in the pool at the bottom of falls in a BLM recreation area. BE CAREFUL OF POISON IVY! BLM INFO , MORE INFO & PHOTOS .
AREA Unknown
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE No
FACILITIES Vault toilet
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE Unknown
CAMPING No camping at site
BATHING SUITS Unknown
DIRECTIONS From Boise, take I-84 west to Exit 33A (Nampa) and take RT 55 going west through Marsing. Continue straight onto RT 95 and go about go about 3.5 miles west on RT 95 then turn south (left) on S. Jump Creek Rd. (very near W. Thompson Rd.). On S. Jump Creek Rd. just after passing under power transmission lines, the road curves right - stay on the road as it curves back to the left toward the entry to the recreation area. All told, it is about 5 miles on Jump Creek Rd. from RT 95.
CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/2014


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


LAIRD PARK
(LAIR)
NO PHOTOS TO STATE MAP  
TOWNS MOSCOW, HARVARD
LAT, LON lat=46.94306, lon=-116.64889(source: web site) (accuracy:exact)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Palouse River
TYPE River
DESCRIPTION Swimmin place in dammed river (built by CCC) with sandy beach at park/campground.
AREA Saint Joe N.F.
SANCTION Unknown
FEE No
FACILITIES At campground
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE Unknown
CAMPING Camping at site
BATHING SUITS Required
DIRECTIONS From Moscow, go north on RT 95 then east (right) on RT 6 for 3 miles then 1.5 mi. southeast on Forest Rd. 447 (Palouse River Rd) to the campground sign. The swimming hole is in a creek in or near the campground.
CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 12/29/2007


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


MCCALL AREA
[2 PLACES]
(MCCA)
NO PHOTOS TO STATE MAP
TOWNS MCCALL, CASCADE, WARM LAKE
LAT, LON lat=44.9103, lon=-116.0661(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:general area)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Varies - see below
TYPE Varies - see below
DESCRIPTION Beautiful and cold swimming holes in the forests around McCall. For details, see DIRECTIONS below.
AREA Varies - see below
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE Unknown
FACILITIES Unknown
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE Unknown
CAMPING National Forest campgrounds nearby, Ponderosa S. P. near McCall
BATHING SUITS Unknown
DIRECTIONS From McCall:

SNOWSLIDE [SNOW]: Granite outcropping in very picturesque area that forms a pool with water clear and cold. To get here from McCall: Go north on Davis street then east (right) on Lick Creek Rd. Drive about 13 miles on Lick Creek Rd. (becomes dirt) past the Black Lee Creek trailhead on the left. Before you come to the Snowslide Lake trailhead on the right, look at the stream on the right for a granite outcropping with a pool below. LAT, LON lat=44.99714, lon=-115.94800(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 10/4/04.

KNOX [KNOX]: Wide stream, full of pools with sandy bottoms and grassy places for picnicking. Near Warm Lake east of Cascade. To get here from McCall, go south on RT 55 to Cascade. Turn east (left) on Warm Lake Rd. - FR 22. Just before you reach Warm Lake, turn north (left) on a single lane, paved road along the South Fork of the Salmon River. Turn here and park right away. There is an embankment above the road away from the river. Walk up this hill and cross a wood fence around a meadow at Knox Ranch, a historic mining settlement. Walk south down a hill, away from the meadow to a wide stream, full of pools with sandy bottoms and grassy places for picnicking. LAT, LON lat=44.6649, lon=-115.6973(source: DeLorme) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP. Not verified. Pretty confident. Updated 10/4/04.
CONFIDENCEPretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 10/4/2004


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


OLD DAM ROPE SWING
(OLDS)
NO PHOTOS TO STATE MAP
TOWNS BOISE, EMMETT
LAT, LON lat=43.925995 , lon=-116.442847(source: map) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Payette River
TYPE River
DESCRIPTION Short walk to rope swing on steep bank of Payette River. Use a long stick to capture the rope and swim toward shoe quickly as soon as you hit the water.
AREA Unknown
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE No
FACILITIES Unknown
ACTIVITIES Swimming, Rope Swing
PHONE None
CAMPING No camping at site
BATHING SUITS Unknown
DIRECTIONS From Boise, take RT44 west to I-84 west past Eagle to the intersection with RT 16 (Emmett Hwy). Take RT 16 north (right) to Emmett. In Emmett turn right on S. Substation Rd. then turn right again on Waterwheel Rd.. Go left on N. Plaza Rd. and follow it along the Payette River then (just before you cross the river) go right on Old Dam Rd. The trail to the rope swing is on the left.
CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/2014


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


ST ANTHONY SAND BAR
(SASB)
NO PHOTO TO STATE MAP
TOWNS IDAHO FALLS, REXBURG, ST ANTHONY
LAT, LON lat=43.965168, lon=-111.6791(source: map) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Henry's Fork of the Snake River
TYPE River beach
DESCRIPTIONLong time, in-town, sand beach for swimming in the river. Has diving board and swim platform and (maybe) a water slide. No lifeguards - swim at your own risk. DO NOT GO IN WHEN THE RIVER LEVEL IS HIGH - PEOPLE HAVE DROWNED HERE AT HIGH LEVELS.
AREA Unknown
SANCTION Semi-official
FEE None
FACILITIES Picnic shelter, toilets
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE None
CAMPING None at site
BATHING SUITS Required
DIRECTIONS From Idaho Falls, go northeast on RT 20 through Rexburg to St Anthony. Take the St. Anthony downtown exit. Go north on Bridge St. Turn Right on Main St. Turn Right on N 3rd E. Park is at the end of 3rd on the right hand side.
CONFIDENCE Very Confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/2014


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


SWINGING BRIDGE BEACH
(SWIN)
NO PHOTO TO STATE MAP
TOWNS BOISE, CASCADE, MCCALL
LAT, LON lat=44.211786, lon=-116.106442(source: Web site) (accuracy:approximate)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Payette River
TYPE River beach
DESCRIPTION Swimming hole in river with sandy beach and large flat rocks to sun on. Pretty calm spot for a river.
AREA National Forest
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE None
FACILITIES None at site, at NF campgrounds just south of here.
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE None
CAMPING At NF campgrounds just south of here.
BATHING SUITS Customary (close to road and railroad)
DIRECTIONS From Boise, go north on RT 55 about 50 miles. Shorty after you pass 3 NF campgrounds (Swinging Bridge, Cold Springs and Canyon) look for a swinging foot bridge over the river on the right side then look for a pullout also on the right side. Park here, cross the bridge and walk north along the railroad tracks to a sandy beach area with large flat rocks.
CONFIDENCE Pretty Confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/2013


This swimming hole listing is by www.swimmingholes.org


THOUSAND SPRINGS S. P.
[4 PLACES]
(THOU)
NO PHOTO TO STATE MAP
TOWNS BOISE, MOUNTAIN HOME, GOODING, BLISS, HAGERMAN
LAT, LON lat=42.83647, lon=-114.8937(source:map) (accuracy:general area)
LINK TO GOOGLE MAP
STATE ID
WATER Snake River and others
TYPE River/Creek/Spring
DESCRIPTION Thousand Springs S. P. is in southern Idaho, southwest of Boise off I-81 and has 5 non-contiguous areas with several swimming places. See DIRECTIONS below for details. State Park Web Site . Article about swimming here. Read the article for details about swimming here. Get local information when you get here. There are said to be (unofficial, no lifeguards) swimming opportunities at
*Box Canyon Springs (hike, unknown length)
*Ritter Island (no hike, drive past hydroelectric plant, is a picnic area)
*Vardis Fisher Lake (locally called "Hidden Lake", a long time local swimming place)
*Blue Heart Springs (access only by boat, contact "1,000 Springs Boat Tours" Hagerman, ID, 208-837-9006 for info - cold, clear water)
AREA Thousand Springs S. P.
SANCTION Unofficial
FEE Yes, see web site
FACILITIES Unknown
ACTIVITIES Swimming
PHONE 208-837-4505
CAMPING West on I-84 is Three Island Crossing S. P. with developed camping
BATHING SUITS Unknown
DIRECTIONS From Boise, go east on I-84 (past Three Island Crossing S. P. - camping) to Exit 141, then go south on RT 30 to Hagerman. Stop at the State Park office at 1074 E. 2350 S. in Hagerman and get information and maps. No further directions.
CONFIDENCE Pretty confident
VERIFIED No
DATE UPDATED 1/2014


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