Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho is one of the most talked-about hot springs near Boise, and after visiting, I understand why. It’s scenic, easy to access, and offers way more variety than most natural hot springs in the area. It’s also noticeably more popular—and yes, more crowded—than some nearby options. The real question is whether that tradeoff is worth it.
Short answer: for the views and variety, absolutely. You just need to know what to expect going in.
If you’re trying to decide how this compares to other nearby soaks, I break that down in my full review of Bonneville Hot Springs Idaho, which is a very different experience altogether.
Kirkham Hot Springs is only about 20 minutes from Bonneville Hot Springs, but the vibe couldn’t be more different. Where Bonneville feels quiet and tucked away, Kirkham feels more accessible and social.
There’s almost no hike involved here. The parking lot is right next to the springs, so it’s more of a short walk than a trek. That convenience is a big reason Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho attracts so many visitors—especially families, first-timers, and anyone not looking to hike in before soaking.
That said, the terrain still matters.
While there isn’t much of a hike, there are a lot of rocks, and they are slick. Water shoes aren’t optional in my opinion—you’ll be glad you brought them.
There are also quite a few stairs, and they’re steep with smaller steps. To reach most of the pools, you need to be comfortable going up and down uneven steps. If stairs or unstable footing are challenging for you, this is something to seriously factor in before visiting.
Once you’re down at the pools, everything is spread out along the hillside, which helps distribute people better than you might expect.
This was definitely the most crowded hot springs we visited in the area. I’d estimate around 50 people while we were there. That sounds like a lot, but because the pools are staggered and spread out, it never felt chaotic or overwhelming.
It’s more social than secluded. You’ll hear conversations. You’ll likely share pools. But it still felt manageable—and surprisingly calm considering the popularity.
If solitude is your top priority, this may not be your favorite soak. If you’re okay sharing the experience for better views and variety, Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho delivers.
What really sets Kirkham apart is the variety. There are multiple pools at different temperatures, so you can move around and find what feels best rather than being stuck with a single option.
Some pools are very hot. Others are absolutely perfect, depending on how the hot and cold water mix that day. There’s also a hot springs waterfall, which you don’t see everywhere—and it adds to the whole experience without feeling gimmicky.
This is one of those places where wandering between pools is part of the fun.
My favorite pool was at the very top. From there, you’re sitting above a canyon with open views of the river below. Despite the number of people down lower, this spot felt surprisingly peaceful.
Getting up there does involve a bit of an incline, but it was 100% worth it for the view alone. If you’re visiting Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho, don’t skip the upper pools—they’re the highlight.
Because this area is outside Boise, renting a car makes the entire experience much easier. If you’re building a hot springs day trip, renting a car makes this much easier, especially if you plan to visit more than one location in a day.
For anyone staying overnight, you can find hotels near Boise here, which gives you flexibility without committing to a single neighborhood.
If you’re deciding how to structure your hot springs stops, check out my guide to a Boise hot springs day trip, where I compare Kirkham, Bonneville, and Idaho City options side by side.
If you want variety, dramatic scenery, and easy access, Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho absolutely deserves a spot on your itinerary. It’s more social than some nearby springs, but the views, multiple pools, and waterfall more than make up for it.
This is a great option if you’re okay sharing the experience and want something scenic without committing to a long hike. For travelers building a broader Idaho trip, it pairs well with a stop in Idaho City—learn more in my Idaho City guide if you’re planning to make a full day of it.
Kirkham isn’t trying to be hidden or secret—and that’s exactly the point. It’s accessible, scenic, and offers a lot in one stop. Go early, wear water shoes, take your time exploring the pools, and don’t skip the climb to the top.
That’s where Kirkham Hot Springs Idaho really shines.
A hotel that’s also a free 24-hour contemporary art museum penguins included. We booked a Corner Suite at 21c and it was massive: separate bedroom, living room, dining area, 699 square feet to spread out in. The bathroom alone had a double vanity and custom Rookwood Pottery tile that made getting ready weirdly entertaining.
The location is downtown, two minutes from Fountain Square, walkable to Boca for dinner, and close enough to hop the free streetcar into Over-the-Rhine. If OTR is where most of your plans are, you might want to stay closer to that neighborhood instead downtown worked for us, but we spent more time in OTR than we expected to.
And yes, there’s a recycled-plastic penguin sculpture that will absolutely scare you the first time you open your door and forget it’s there. Link in bio for the full review rooms, parking, walkability, and everything else before you book 🎨
Three neighborhoods, one streetcar, and more Cincinnati specialties than I could finish in one afternoon.
We hit a goetta breakfast sandwich, chocolate chip ice cream from a shop that’s been at it since 1870, a Liège waffle that earned its Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives spot, and Cincinnati chili the way it’s actually meant to be eaten... over a hot dog, buried in shredded cheddar.
$75 got us three and a half hours, a local guide, free streetcar rides, and a genuinely full stomach. Don’t eat breakfast before this one, the portions add up fast.
My third Secret Food Tour in my third city, and it’s still undefeated.
Link in bio for the full review cost, route, parking, and every stop we hit 🥟🌶️
13 creek crossings, a canyon that keeps closing in around you, and a hike I’d genuinely put back on my itinerary, West Fork Trail was the one.
We got to Call of the Canyon at 7:15am and the lot was barely a quarter full. By 12:30 it was 85% full, so if there’s one tip that matters most, it’s this: go early.
The maintained trail is 6.6 miles round trip, mostly flat, mostly shaded, but I kept my regular tennis shoes dry the whole way by hopping across the rocks at each crossing. It’s rated moderate, and honestly that’s about the distance, not the terrain.
Here’s what nobody tells you though ✨ the maintained trail isn’t the end. We changed into water shoes at the official endpoint and kept going another mile straight through the creek, canyon walls narrowing around us the whole time. That extra mile ended up being my favorite part of the entire hike.
5/5 for me. I’d bring the water shoes again in a heartbeat.
Link in bio for the full guide parking, timing, what to pack, and everything I wish I knew before I went 🥾
Two hours, zero regrets. The Pink Jeep Broken Arrow Tour is hands down one of the most fun things we did in Sedona.
Open-air Jeeps crawling over slickrock, backcountry views you can’t reach on your own, and the famous Road of No Return, steep, thrilling, and somehow completely safe the whole way down.
If you’re picking one paid activity in Sedona, make it this one.
You have to do @pinkjeeptours 🌵🚙 Link in bio for the full review.
Dinner beside Oak Creek at Cress, and yes, it’s a splurge, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat.🤍
Candlelit tables under the trees, the creek running right beside us, a menu that mixes Arizona ingredients with French technique. We ordered a little of everything: the squash and beet salad, milk rolls with three different butters, sweet potato gnocchi that somehow felt light instead of heavy. Then two desserts because we couldn’t decide. The Vanilla Crème Caramel with Manchego cheese completely stole the show, salty and sweet in a way that sounds strange until you taste it.
Plan on $100–250 for two depending on what you order, and this isn’t the spot for a quick casual dinner, it’s slow, intentional, and worth every minute. Book ahead and ask for a creekside table if you can.
If you’re looking for one unforgettable meal in Sedona, this is it. Link in bio for the full review 🍽️
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