Stanley Hot Springs
- Free
- 5 mi hike
Backcountry soaking pools in a clearing above the trail, fed by hot water flowing toward Huckleberry Creek. They are about five miles up Boulder Creek Trail 211 from Wilderness Gateway Campground on US Highway 12, past Huckleberry Flat and across Boulder Creek. The regional tourism office recommends late spring, summer or early winter.
- Price
- Free
- Nearest town
- Lowell
- Hike (one way)
- 5 mi
Plan your visit
Hours & season
| Season |
|
|---|
Tickets & booking
| Price | Free |
|---|---|
| Access | Free public access |
On site
| Lodging | No |
|---|---|
| Camping nearby | Yes |
| Land manager | USFS |
Not stated by the land manager: swimwear, ages, dogs.
Soak responsibly
- Pack out everything, including food scraps and toilet paper. Use WAG bags where required.
- No soap, shampoo or sunscreen in the pools; rinse away from the water.
- Check permits and closures with USFS before you go.
- Keep groups small and give others space. Respect posted dog and camping rules.
Water temperature
This venue doesn't publish pool temperatures.
What's here
- backcountry pools in a clearing above the trail
- Boulder Creek Trail 211 from Wilderness Gateway
- Boulder Creek crossing
- Huckleberry Flat
Getting there
| Elevation | 3,651 ft |
|---|---|
| Road |
|
| Hike | 5 mi one way |
| Trail |
|
| Parking | Wilderness trailhead parking at Wilderness Gateway Campground (USFS) |
Things to do near Lowell
Wilderness Gateway Campground
91-site USFS campground at milepost 122.5 with wilderness trailhead parking; open mid-May to Sept 30.
Lochsa Historical Ranger Station
1925 backcountry ranger station and visitor center about 48 miles east of Kooskia; open late May to early Sept.
Campgrounds
Trailheads
- Wilderness Gateway Trailhead3 mi
- Fish Creek Trailhead4.9 mi
- Split Creek Trailhead9.6 mi
- Weir Creek Trailhead14.5 mi
Straight-line distances. Campground and trailhead data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Nearby springs
Weir Creek Hot Springs
An undeveloped hot spring above Weir Creek near milepost 142 of US Highway 12, with its main pool on a rock slab overlooking the creek. It is about a half-mile uphill walk from the highway. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests closed the site at night in 2022 after injuries and vandalism, and the regional tourism office now lists it as closed until further notice.
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
A set of undeveloped pools along Warm Springs Creek, reached by crossing the Warm Springs Pack Bridge over the Lochsa River at milepost 152 of US Highway 12. There are three groups of pools: the Waterfall Pools, a set in a meadow and a set above the meadow. The Forest Service limits use to 6am-8pm and bans overnight camping at the springs.
Red River Hot Springs
An off-grid lodge in the Nez Perce National Forest near Elk City with a natural hot spring pool that is not chlorinated. It rents lodge rooms, cabins (one with its own outdoor mineral soaking tub) and dry RV and tent sites, and a cafe serves burgers and breakfast burritos on weekends. Day soaks are paid per visit with no re-entry, and nudity is prohibited.
Weir Creek Hot Springs: 15 mi · Jerry Johnson Hot Springs: 21 mi · Red River Hot Springs: 37 mi
Sources (4)
· checked November 2026
Prices, hours and rules are checked against the official site and land-agency pages. Spot something out of date? Let us know.