Silver Creek Plunge – Idaho
Situated within the Boise National Forest lies an amazing resort hidden from the real world. With wilderness all around you, its the perfect backdrop to unwind and relax in Idaho’s natural mineral waters.
Silver Creek Plunge offer a very large outdoor hot springs, with roughly 540 gallons of water pumping through it every minute. The source of the springs comes up from the earth at roughly 100 degrees and only slightly cools to keep the average temperature around 98. With the pool holding roughly 180,000 gallons of water, you will enjoy fresh geothermal mineral waters every 6 hours. However, even with the constant new water being pumped in, Silver Creek resort still drains the pool weekly to keep it clean.
The springs are situated at an elevation of 5,800 feet and can be accessed via a short hike from a parking lot off of Highway 21. The hot springs consist of two pools, one about 4 feet deep and the other 6-7 feet deep. Both pools have temperatures ranging between 104-108 degrees Fahrenheit (40 – 42 Celsius). They are fed by natural mineral water that bubbles out of the ground and contains high levels of sulfur which gives it a distinctive smell. The waters also contain trace amounts of iron, calcium, sodium chloride and magnesium which contribute to its therapeutic properties.
Visitors to Silver Creek Plunge Hot Springs will find plenty to do while soaking in the warm waters including swimming, relaxing on rocks or logs around the edge or simply enjoying nature’s beauty as they take in views of nearby mountains and valleys.
The area has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the Audubon Society because of its population of migratory waterfowl, bald eagles, ospreys, sandhill cranes and other species. Silver Creek Plunge is also home to many fish species including rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout and whitefish.
The main attraction at Silver Creek Plunge is the wild river run which provides visitors with an exciting adventure on one of Idaho’s most powerful rivers. The rapids are Class IV+, making them suitable for experienced kayakers only; however there are several tamer sections that can be enjoyed by less experienced paddlers or those just looking for a scenic float downriver.
For those who want more than just rafting there are plenty of opportunities to explore nature such as hiking trails along the banks of Silver Creek or taking part in bird watching activities in this special habitat area. In addition to rafting adventures, Silver Creek Plunge offers fishing trips complete with guides who know all about where to find the best spots on this pristine river system full of abundant wildlife viewing opportunities as well as great fishing spots – both fly-fishing and spin casting techniques work well here! Fishing enthusiasts will have no problem finding success while enjoying some gorgeous scenery too!
If you’re looking for something even more adventurous then why not try out stand up paddle boarding? This relatively new sport has become increasingly popular over recent years due to its accessibility – all you need is a board and life jacket – plus it’s easy enough for beginners but still challenging enough for advanced paddlers alike!
With flatwater areas near shorelines or meandering waterways throughout Silver Creek Plunge, you’ll have plenty of options when it comes time to take your SUP session out onto these majestic waters! Whatever activity you choose while visiting Silver Creek plunge rest assured that your experience here will be unforgettable thanks to stunning mountain vistas combined with rushing whitewater rapids providing endless thrills.
When you aren’t soaking in the hot springs, the resort does offer several activities to enjoy. Just a few are:
- Volleyball
- Fishing
- Horeshoes
- Hiking
- ATV
- Swimming
- Picnic area with a playground
If you’d like to turn visiting Silver Creek plunge into a weekend getaway, they do also offer overnight accommodations including cabins, RV sites, and tent camping. You may think you have seen stars at night, but once you have stayed at the resort you will have a new found appreciate for the world beyond ours.
Directions to Silver Creek Plunge
From Boise, Idaho
1. Start on ID-55 North towards Middlefork Road (50 miles)
2. Take Middlefork Road which turns into NF-671 all the way to the resort (24 miles)
It’s a beautiful drive through the Boise National Forest to reach Silver Creek Plunge. Be sure to take a few breaks as there are also several amazing attractions within the park.
Address: 2345 Silver Creek Road, Garden Valley, ID 83622
Website: silvercreekplunge.com
Silver Creek Plunge and Resort from Michael W. McCullough on Vimeo.
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