Nestled deep inside of the scenic Frank Church Wilderness, the blue waters of Barth Hot Springs provide a tranquil escape from daily life, making it easily one of our favorite places to take groups who want to explore some of the best scenery that north-central Idaho has to offer. In this guide, we’ll be introducing you to Barth and providing all the information you need to plan a memorable trip to these beautiful springs, whether you’re local or just visiting the area.
About Barth Hot Springs
If you’re at all familiar with the history of the Salmon River, also known as the “River of No Return,” you may know that many years before the Frank Church Wilderness was established, many parts of the Salmon and surrounding lands were used as stopping points for boating pioneers. Barth Hot Springs used to be a popular destination for explorers who navigated scows down the Salmon, known for both the minerals it provided and the quiet resting spot it offered for tired pioneers. Harry Guleke is one of the most well-known figures of the time for his mastery of scow navigation and for his frequent stays at the cabin across from Barth. The springs were actually known as the Guleke Hot Springs until the 1920s, when Jim Barth came along and built his own place above the springs.
Where is Barth Hot Springs?
Barth Hot Springs is located above the Salmon River at mile 22, approximately 56 miles from the Vinegar Creek boat ramp and 22 miles from the Corn Creek boat ramp.
How to get to Barth Hot Springs
Due to its remote location, Barth Hot Springs is only accessible by jet boat or raft. The hot pool sits about 1,000 feet off the river. There is no dedicated trail to the pool—be prepared to walk up and down a rock field. Proper footwear is key to ensuring safety and stability on your way to the springs. This is a natural hot spring, so there is not a dedicated changing area. You can put your swimwear on before arriving at the springs, or change in the rocks along the river.
The Best Jet Boat Trip to Barth Hot Springs
Because Barth is only accessible by boat or raft, you’ll want to book a tour with a local company or guide who is familiar with the area. Here at Whitewater, we offer a day trip that’s perfect for groups looking for a memorable day trip adventure to the springs. We also offer an overnight scenic tour that stops at Barth Hot Springs on its way to Salmon River Lodge. Our overnight trip is a great option for groups looking to experience all that the Salmon has to over. This trip allows you to see 80 miles of the Frank Church Wilderness.
What does a jet boat trip to Barth look like?
Our Barth Hot Springs trip is a day of jet boating to the springs, departing from the Vinegar Creek boat ramp about 27 miles east of Riggins. This is a private trip, meaning you’ll have the entire boat to yourselves, as well as ample quality time to enjoy together on the 2.5-hour ride from Vinegar Creek to Barth. Once we arrive, you’ll get the chance to soak in the natural hot springs, enjoying the beautiful blue water that comes from deep in the ground below you.
This trip starts at $2,424 for up to 6 people. Additional people are $404 each.
Who is this trip for?
Age-wise, the trip to Barth Hot Springs is best for adults and teens, as the long day of boating is not ideal for young children. It’s also a great option for a bachelor party trip, similar to our popular summer cooler trip—but in the springtime.
If you’re looking for a trip more suitable for young children, you might prefer our summer family fun trip, which is offered in July and August.
When is the best time to take a trip to Barth Hot Springs?
Our jet boat trip to Barth is offered from April-June, with April being one of the most beautiful months on the river for an adventure like this. There are significantly fewer recreational users on the river in April than there are in the summer months, making it more likely that you’ll have Barth all to yourself.
How to Plan a Barth Hot Springs Trip on the Salmon River
Now that you know all about our Barth Hot Springs trip and why it’s the perfect springtime adventure, let’s go through a few tips for planning an unforgettable trip to Barth.
1. Book a jet boat trip to Barth for your group
First off, we obviously recommend booking a trip with a local tour company that is familiar with the area. In order to have a stress-free adventure, you’ll want to work with experienced professionals who can provide a safe and effortless experience. Our Salmon River trips aren’t just your run-of-the-mill jet boat tours—they are fully customizable tours tailored to your unique group. As a licensed and bonded Idaho Outfitter with Coast Guard certified boats and captains, you can trust that you’re in the best of hands from the moment you depart from Vinegar Creek, all the way through to the moment you arrive back at the end of the day.
2. Pack appropriately
With our Barth Hot Springs trips taking place between April and June, we recommend dressing in warm clothing and lightweight hiking shoes, hiking sandals, or sneakers, as well as bringing your rain gear just in case. For your time at the hot springs, you’ll want to pack water sandals, swimsuits, and towels.
For more tips on how to prepare for your Salmon River jet boat tour, please review this blog post.
3. Follow hot springs etiquette
Finally, we encourage you to learn about hot springs etiquette ahead of your trip, so that everyone in your group knows how to respect both the natural setting as well as fellow hot springs visitors. Below are a few key things to consider when enjoying your time at Barth, as well as any other hot spring:
- Keep the volume down. If there are other visitors around you at the springs, try your best to maintain a respectful noise level that won’t disturb their experience—just as you wouldn’t want yours interrupted. For a better chance at avoiding other large groups at Barth, book your trip in April.
- Don’t bring any glass. Glass is a big no-no at any hot spring, because broken glass can fall to the bottom of the spring and be dangerous for future visitors. Glass shards can also cause hot springs to close down, unfortunately.
- Don’t bathe in the hot springs. Avoid using soap to bathe in the hot springs, as there is no way for the water to drain—so any liquids that end up in the hot springs will usually stay there. Even biodegradable soap can mess with the minerals in the water and disrupt the environment.
- Pack in, pack out. Anything you bring should be taken with you when you leave—trash, clothing accessories, shoes, and other items. Just as you would if you were hiking or camping, you should aim to leave the hot springs just as clean (or cleaner) as you found them.
Barth Hot Springs is such a hidden gem that we know you’ll love seeing it for yourself. To book your Barth Hot Springs trip with us use the link below.