Idaho’s Goldbug Hot Springs: Tips for Hiking & Visiting
Idaho is full of dreamy hot springs, and Goldbug is my favorite so far. It requires a short and steep hike to access, but the mountain views and clear water are well worth the effort.
As a hiker and travel blogger, here’s my guide to visiting Goldbug Hot Springs so you know what to expect.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission on any purchases through those links, at no extra cost to you.
Visiting Goldbug Hot Springs: Quick Overview & FAQs
How long is the hike to Goldbug?
The trail is out-and-back and around 3.8 miles total with 900ft of elevation gain. If you go to some of the further pools, it will be closer to 4 miles and 1000ft of gain. Most of the elevation gain is at the very end, with 500ft of gain in the last .5 miles.
How much does it cost?
Parking and access are free. Always be sure to respect the trail and land. The very beginning of the trail is actually on private property and near some homes, so make sure you go the right way (towards the mountains and not the homes). If you go the wrong way, there are some signs with a skull and crossbones saying to keep out, so it’s pretty clearly marked at least.
Where should I stay to visit Goldbug?
We stayed in Challis, which was a 40-minute drive. Stanley is more of convenient location for hiking and visiting other hot springs though, so I would recommend there instead, unless you have other plans around Challis. Stanley is 1h45 from Goldbug, which is still doable as a day trip. Check out my Idaho road trip itinerary for more recommendations.
Hiking to Goldbug Hot Springs
The Google Maps pin takes you straight to the parking lot, which is off a small gravel road. There unpaved section is maybe half a mile and it’s pretty smooth.
Parking is free and there’s a small bathroom at the trailhead, which you’ll want to use since you won’t see any others on the hike.
The trail immediately goes into a few switchbacks, but then levels out. Within the first half mile, you’ll see a small gate, which marks the end of private property.
Soon after, you’ll descend slightly to cross a small wooden bridge, and then walk along a more exposed, desert-like environment. You might even spot some cacti! There is some modest climbing in this section, but it’s pretty manageable.
Finally, you’ll reach the tree line and start to climb. The last half mile is extremely steep and rocky. You’ll see some lower pools before the hike is over, and likely some people soaking in them. Once you hit the stream and waterfalls, all the pools are warm.
The main pool is heart-shaped and is one level down from the wooden footbridge at the top. There was a naked guy in that pool, so we stayed in the pool right above the footbridge, which another local told us was the warmest. (Note that nudity is not uncommon at Goldbug).
This pool was a bit too warm for me, but there were two right next to each other, and I found that the one on the left was comfortable.
You can even go beyond this pool to the hottest one, which is a few minutes further up the trail and not visible from the bridge. This water in this pool felt burning and I couldn’t last more than a minute in it. The hike up is also pretty steep, so be careful, especially coming back down.
My favorite pool was the one right under the bridge. The temperature was just right, and there was even a little shade because of the bridge.
There’s also a waterfall cave somewhere along the lower pools. We didn’t know about it at the time, but it’s definitely worth exploring.
After a couple hours of soaking, we headed back the way we came. Make sure to give the people climbing the right of way as you descend!
Goldbug Hot Springs Packing List
What to wear:
- Breathable hiking clothes with bathing suit under
- Trail running or hiking shoes
- Sunglasses or hat
- Note on sunscreen: It’s generally discouraged to wear sunscreen in hot springs since it can disrupt the water.
What to bring:
- Lots of drinking water (you can filter water downstream but it still smells very sulfur-y)
- Towel
- Hiking poles (optional, I brought mine and found them useful, but I didn’t see anyone else with them on the trail
Let me know what you think of Goldbug if you visit, especially if you find the waterfall cave and see the heart-shaped pool!
