One of the most relaxing ways to spend time outdoors is soaking in one of Idaho’s many hot springs. The Gem State is home to more than 130 soakable hot springs, making it easy to find someplace to soak away your worries. Unfortunately, many of these hot springs are becoming quite crowded, making it extremely difficult to find a place to unwind and recuperate. Luckily, you can still venture to the Council Mountain Hot Springs for a relaxing, peaceful, and beautiful soak.

Outside of the small town of Council, you will find Council Mountain Hot Springs.
Kyle Daniels/AllTrails
It is a remote and lesser-known hot spring in Idaho and to reach these pools of warm water, you have a 4.5-mile out-and-back trail to tackle. To find the trail, you will travel south on Highway 95 from Council. Turn left onto NF-186 and follow this road for approximately nine miles.
This trail is a bit challenging as there are some steep areas and difficult portions to conquer.
Kyle Daniels/AllTrails
You will gain approximately 1,200 feet in elevation as you make your way to the hot springs, and if you embark upon hikes in Idaho you know that staying hydrated is important.
Because of the distance, elevation gain, and remote location of this trail, it is perfect for a day of solitude in nature.
Cullen Lobe/AllTrails
This isn’t a busy hike and you may not even pass any other hikers on your journey — it’s really an Idaho gem that feels like perfection!

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Plus, the trail itself is beautiful. You will hike through gorgeous meadows with mountain views surrounding you. The rolling hills can be a bit difficult but just take your time and give yourself rest as needed.
Kyle Daniels/AllTrails
Because much of this trail is through meadows, there is very little shade on this hike. Come prepared with water and sunscreen and avoid tackling this trail during the Idaho heat of the day.
You will know you are approaching the hot springs as you descend your final hill...
Kristina Torkelson/AllTrails
... and see steam rising from the pools below.
These hot springs are quite beautiful. This is a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some of Mother Nature’s greatest creations.
Diego Gonzales/AllTrails
Make sure you always check the water before hopping into these pools. Some of the hot springs can be hot — too hot to soak in. However, as you move to pools closer to Warm Springs Creek, the water becomes much cooler.
Doesn’t a day spent in nature, in the quiet, and while soaking in a hot spring sound like heaven?
Rachel Donaldson/AllTrails
Council Mountain Hot Springs is a true hidden gem and one of the most beautiful hot springs in Idaho and you’ll forever be grateful you discovered it.

Have you ever visited the Council Mountain Hot Springs? What was your experience like on the hike here? Do you have any other Idaho hot springs spots to suggest to other readers? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below! Don’t forget to share any photos as well.

If you are searching for hot springs where no hiking is required, check out Durfee Hot Springs in Almo, Idaho.

For those who love hiking, you can find some great trails in and around the area by going to the AllTrails website.

Still in the mood for more Idaho adventures? Take a look at this video:

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More to Explore

Exploring More of Idaho

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | January 15, 2024

Where are the best places to go tubing in Idaho?

  • The Portneuf River in Lava Hot Springs was once named by USA Today as one of the best rivers for tubing.
  • The Warm Slough shows off some stunning scenery in the Rexburg area and is an easy float.
  • The Coeur d'Alene River is more known as a whitewater rafting spot but the tubing here is equally as impressive once the rafting season ends.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fun places to go tubing in Idaho.

Where can we find natural attractions in Idaho?

  • The Morley-Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey Conservation Area in Murphy contains North America’s largest concentration of birds of prey.
  • The Centennial Marsh Camas Prairie in south central Idaho features seemingly endless open expanses of camas lilies that bloom during the spring.
  • The Bruneau Sand Dunes in  Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park are the tallest free-standing sand dunes in the country at 500 feet.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other stunning natural attractions in Idaho.

Where can we find historic sites in Idaho?

  • The USS Hawkbill in Arco is a former attack submarine decommissioned in 2000 after 29 total stints in South Korea, Japan, Hawaii, Washington, and several other places around the world.
  • The Bear River Massacre Historical Site in Preston is where the largest single Native American slaughter in American history, the 1863 Bear River Massacre, took place.
  • The Nampa Train Depot in Nampa is a uniquely ornamented structure built in 1903, and in its former iteration served as a stop on the historic Oregon Short Line in Idaho.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other fascinating historic sites in Idaho.

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Council, ID 83612, USA