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Due to the size of Challis Hot Springs Inc’s two pools, the facility cannot operate as a public pool without lifeguards. Since the business does not have lifeguards, it is run as a private facility, much like a hotel. As with a hotel with a pool, all registered guests may use the pool at their own risk. Guests of all ages who are registered guests of the campground may use the pools. Guests who would like to utilize the pools for day use only must be 18 years of age or older. CHS Inc. cannot rent a campsite to a family with children under 18 who do not intend to spend the night in order to utilize the hot pools.
Welcome to the Challis Hot Springs
The Challis Hot Springs is a 5th generation family-owned destination located in the Round Valley, home of Challis, Idaho. The property is on the bank of the Salmon River 70 miles from the headwaters of the “River of No Return”. Our primary amenity is natural odorless hot springs which constantly replenish with continuous freshwater supplied by nature through the river rock bottoms. Most guests enjoy the springs while camping in the RV and tent campground which features mature trees, and irrigated grass sites all within a stone’s throw of the Salmon River, which fronts the entire property. Our campground is the perfect location to launch your kayaking or rafting trip, to fish for trout and steelhead, or to just watch the wildlife. In particular, is the herd of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep which frequents the cliffside above the property. Guests can ride ATV’s from the campground and immediately access some of the most outstanding ATV trails and gravel mountain roads in the country. We are also located 25 miles from Idaho’s tallest mountain, Mt Borah which makes the hot springs an ideal place to recover from aching muscles and fatigue. Finally, our part of Idaho is loaded with historic mining sites, excellent hunting/fishing, and endless backcountry hiking/backpacking opportunities plus rockhounding for the novice to the most knowledgeable geologist.
Summer Hours:
Third Friday in March - Last Sunday in October
Open 7 days a week 8am - 9pm
Pools open during business hours for day use for guests 18 year of age and older. Registered campground guests of all ages are permitted to use the pools.
Winter Hours:
Last Sunday in October- Third Thursday in March
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Wednesdays and Thursdays- 9am-12pm & 4pm-8pm
Fridays- 9am-12pm & 4pm-9pm
Saturday-9am-9pm
Sunday-9am-6pm
Special Hours:
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day
Campground closed and hours are for pools only and all guests must be 18 years and older.
Testimonials
World class service! Micheal and Shanna are amazing. I can't say enough about how nice and accommodating they were. Plus, the pools were some of the nicest I've been in. The gravel bottom was way cool to feel on my feet, and the temp was Goldie Locks perfect! 10/10 I'm coming back!
Charles Christensen
This place was a total unexpected gem on a road trip. After 5 days of camping and no shower, I was extra happy to find clean showers, wonderfully consistent and relaxing warm/hot pools, friendly and welcoming staff, and soft green grass at my tent site. Would definitely recommend stopping.
Bonnie Herrmann
Great place! Hot pool and warm swimming pool. Clean facilities, friendly people, near Challis. Right on the river with lots of birds and wildlife. They have hookups if you need them, or nice tent sites. Beautiful setting! We'll be back for sure.
Mike Wells
The natural hot mineral springs at the Challis Hot Springs are fed from an under ground geothermal source. The odorless water bubbles up through our two pools at nearly 3 cubic feet per second. The river rock bottoms allow for the mineral springs to continually fill and replenish, providing a constant circulation of fresh water. This constant flow provides a wonderfully refreshing and soothing experience for our guests. Our larger pool is 100 feet long by 30 feet wide and ranges from just over four feet deep at the south end to about three and a half feet at the north end.
The target temperature is 96 degrees in the summer and 98-100 degrees in the winter. The smaller pool is known as the hot pool. The hot pool is 25 feet long by 18 wide and roughly four feet deep. The target temperature is as close to 105 degrees as possible and is controlled by adding cold well water throughout the day. Both pools are uncovered and provide views of the geologically interesting mountain to the east. Often wild sheep put on entertaining shows for our viewing pleasure. Deer often make appearances on the skyline and eagles and hawks ride the thermals created by the cliff.
Our
Hot Pools
The natural hot mineral springs at the Challis Hot Springs are fed from an undergroundgeothermal source. The odorless water bubbles up through our two pools at nearly 3cubic feet per second. The river rock bottoms allow for the mineral springs to continuallyfill and replenish, providing a constant circulation of fresh water. This constant flowprovides a wonderfully refreshing and soothing experience for our guests. Our largerpool is 100 feet long by 30 feet wide and ranges from just over four feet deep at thesouth end to about three and a half feet at the north end. The target temperature is 96degrees in the summer and 98-100 degrees in the winter. The smaller pool is known asthe hot pool. The hot pool is 25 feet long by 18 wide and roughly four feet deep. Thetarget temperature is as close to 105 degrees as possible and is controlled by addingcold well water throughout the day. Both pools are uncovered and provide views of thegeologically interesting mountain to the east. Often wild sheep put on entertainingshows for our viewing pleasure. Deer often make appearances on the skyline andeagles and hawks ride the thermals created by the cliff.
Challis Area History
The first inhabitants were Native Americans attracted by abundant hunting, fishing, and natural hot springs of this fertile valley. White men discovered the Challis area in 1822, when Michael Bourdon led his fur trapping party into the valley in search of beaver pelts. Other early settlers were traders, cattlemen, and ranchers who settled in the valley.
In 1873, gold was discovered. This discovery fueled a mining boom that spanned almost three decades. It brought activity to the Yankee Fork, dotting surrounding mountainsides with campsites and small towns. A few years later, the high level of mining/ranching activity in the area warranted the establishment of a supply base. In 1876, Alvah P. Challis laid out the town as a supply depot for three interior mining camps and surrounding cattle ranches. Although many of the mining camps eventually became ghost towns, Challis prospered and remains.
Challis, located in the geographical center of the State of Idaho, is the Custer County Seat and an economic center for local mines, ranches, and farms. The headquarters of the Land of the Yankee Fork Idaho State Centennial Park is located here. Major agricultural products include livestock, hay, grain and seed potatoes. Mineral resources include molybdenum, gold, silver, plus 40 other minerals in sufficient quantity to be mined commercially.
Still known as one of the richest mineral belts in North America, the area continues to lure new pioneers to the riches and wonders of her natural resources. Despite the “boom and bust” nature of mining, the last century of mining has seen the population of Challis remain fairly constant at 1,000 to 1,200 people. Notably, the city of Challis contains the largest collection of old log homes in the entire state.
Ghost mining towns such as Custer, Bonanza, and Bayhorse are within a hours’ drive on roads that climb a few thousand feet into the nearby Challis and Sawtooth Mountain Ranges. The Salmon River, long noted for salmon, steelhead, and trout, winds its way for two hundred miles entirely within the State of Idaho, flowing from Stanley to its confluence with the Snake River west of Grangeville.
Local Attractions
Located in the beautiful mountains of central Idaho, the Challis Hot Springs is within a short days travel to a variety of recreational opportunities. Whether you enjoy rafting or kayaking on the Salmon River; fishing for Steelhead, Cutthroat and Trout; or looking to get away into the vast Frank Church Wilderness, Challis, Idaho is the place to be.
Local Attractions
Located in the beautiful mountains of central Idaho, the Challis Hot Springs is within a short days travel to a variety of recreational opportunities. Whether you enjoy rafting or kayaking on the Salmon River; fishing for Steelhead, Cutthroat and Trout; or looking to get away into the vast Frank Church Wilderness, Challis, Idaho is the place to be.