Description
Loftus Hot Springs is an undeveloped, natural, and popular soaking spot located roughly 2.5 hours northeast of Boise, Idaho, along the Middle Fork Boise River Road. It features, at times, two user-built rock-and-mortar pools with sandy bottoms, fed by a 129°F hot waterfall that cools to comfortable 99-106°F temperatures, according to hot springers.
More Information
Coordinates: 43.724280, -115.604587
Elevation: 3678 ft
Difficulty: 2
What to Expect:
Check In
Use the form below to check in. Check-ins must include a photo of you or your bike at the challenge site with the 2026 bandanna. All participants must be registered IAMC Challenge Members. Leave a description of your ride and share road conditions — snow, water, obstacles, and tips for future riders are all appreciated.
Replying to another person's check-in is encouraged, but take care not to accidentally create your own check-in.
The stated difficulty is an estimate. Rating your experience helps future riders stay safe. You alone are responsible for the safety of your ride.
3 Check-Ins
I came in from the Idaho City side and came up Thorn Creek, Cottonwood Creek Rd. Once you get to the turn at the end of the easy gravel section, it gets intermediate pretty quickly. There were about 9 creek crossings, which were either steep entry/exit and/or rocky and long, with a couple being about 30 yards. Line choice is pretty important. Once up at the saddle and descending into Arrowrock, the road is nice and mellow. The ride from Cottonwood Creek to Loftus is the usual one out to Atlanta, fast but with a few potholes that will surprise you if you are not looking. If you just go out from 21 earlier along E Spring Shores Rd, it's a 2.
Joined Craig Leatherbury's group ride. They were camping at Troutdale campground, but I only made a day trip out of it. Tim Ahrens did the same and we rode out together. The water temperature was perfect!
The water was hot but not too hot. Hard to see from the picture, but it was full of people. Very short walk up from the dirt road.
