BONNEVILLE HOT SPRINGS, IDAHO

Dennis Williams Photo

Bonneville Hot Springs is located about 20 miles east of Lowman. These springs have been rated "five star" by some naturist groups. The 108 degree F springs mix with cold creek water, providing year around use.

DIRECTIONS: First, purchase a map of the Boise National Forest from any ranger station and then from Loman take Route 21 east for about 20 miles. Go past the Bonneville Campgrounds and look for the trailhead to a short 1/4 mile trail on the north end of the campgrounds. This trail will lead you to the hot springs

SITE REVIEWS:

Subject: Bonneville
Date: Tue, 7 May 2002
From: Name Withheld By Request

Just a note about a good spot in Idaho, check out Bonneville hotsprings in central Idaho near Lowman, good hotsprings and friendly people. Please don't use my name.

Date: Tue, 20 Apr 1999
From: Alan Rainey (nwcrafts@in-tch.com)

My Wife and I have visited Bonneville many times and I would like to comment on this one. You reccommend that people buy a forest service map while this is a good idea it doesnt show something I believe people should know. Bonneville Hot Springs is not located on public land, my point is. How can the Forest Service give anybody a ticket for going nude on private land? Also the "no nudity" regulation refers to a CFR. A CFR is Code of Federal Regulation, In fact this CFR states something in the order of "the District Ranger has the right to make rules and regulations for the good of the district" this is the same CFR they use to limit campers to a 15 day stay in one place. What people are running into is one-persons morality, I'm not saying that a person should flaunt thier nudity, but should instead treat each situation differently. The last time we were at Bonneville I ask a ranger about it. He stated that they would only give a ticket if an nude individual infringed on previsously existing clothed bathers. He also stated that the people that were first there set the theme for any new-people. in other words if you were there first, nobody could get you a ticket if you were nude and insisted on staying that way.

Alan Rainey - nwcrafts@in-tch.com

Date: Mon, 27 May 1996
From: stevej@cyberhighway.net

Latest update - May 25, 1996. Drove again from Boise, and found the access road to the campgrounds open. USFS signage is complete and posted, with the admonition, "Nude bathing is prohibited under USC 621.38(j)." Along with that was a short comment to the effect that if anyone nude is asked to put their clothing back on and refuses they will be cited and fined a max of $35.

Regulations aside, I found a pool full of nude bathers (this was, however, after dark). There were also some people still clothed, coversing with the nude folks, with no signs of tension. The next day, however, was a different story. NO ONE, ALL DAY, was in the pool nude. That night, tho, back to skin. I talked with some folks who said they visit the springs regularly, and have never been asked to put their clothes back on. I guess maybe this is a 'live and let live' type place.

So, officially, nudism is prohibited. Unofficially, 'go for it!'.

sj

Date: Sun, 21 Apr 1996
From: stevej@cyberhighway.net

Hi. I took the afternoon, and drove from Boise to Bonneville Hot Springs. Quite a nice drive, scenic and all that -- and about 2 hrs 15 min from Boise if you obey the speed limits. At the present, the access road to the campground and springs is closed, but you can walk in - I estimate 3/4 mile or so.

The campground and general vicinity are beautiful. The springs emerge from the side of a mountain, and flow naturally down to a somewhat secluded pool, filled with !! clothed soakers. Not wanting to cause a scene, I remained (yech) clothed.

There are no signs posted (that I saw) advising clothing optional/not-optional, so I don't know the status. None of the folks in the pool really knew anything, either. I'm going to contact the Forest Service to find the scooby-do, and I'll let you know.

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