British Columbia · Canada
Liard River Hot Springs
A natural hot spring in boreal forest, reached by a boardwalk across a warm-water swamp. The public bathing area is Alpha pool.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
FOLLOW YOUR NATURE
Wild & natural
A closer connection to the landscape. Natural settings can still have managed access or day-use fees. Read the approach notes before you go.
A natural setting needs a complete approach plan.
Wild describes the setting. It does not establish free entry, unrestricted bathing, an easy trail or an unmanaged site.
21 venue records in this guide. Read each place’s admission and access evidence, then confirm current arrangements before travelling.
Compare the permission and approach
Goldmyer is a managed preserve with permits and a long approach. Kirkham is a public-land riverside site with stairs and a recorded day-use charge. Olympic is an unmaintained wilderness destination beyond a vehicle closure. Choose the access arrangement you can complete before choosing the scenery.
Goldmyer Hot Springs · Kirkham Hot Springs · Olympic Hot Springs
www.goldmyer.org ↗ · www.goldmyer.org ↗ · www.recreation.gov ↗ · www.nps.gov ↗ · home.nps.gov ↗
Budget transport separately
Hot Springs Cove needs water or air transport and a boardwalk walk. Mangatutu uses a narrow gravel-road approach and ford. A pool pin and an unknown bathing tariff do not establish a free or simple journey.
Only bathe where permission is explicit
The directory describes named bathing places; it is not permission to enter any nearby geothermal source. Follow land-manager closures, stay on designated approaches and keep soaps and rubbish out of natural pools.
Choose the visit that fits.
Compare these 6 places by bathing format, admission and booking. Read each venue’s dated access notice and current operator information before choosing a visit.
| Place | Bathing experience | Entry and booking |
|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs CoveBritish Columbia | Shared open-air natural rock pools beside the coast | Paid entry Arrange transport with an operator A specific bathing admission amount is not established by the reviewed BC Parks page. Confirm any current site-use charge and arrange transport separately. Official admission source ↗ · Checked |
| Sloquet Hot SpringsBritish Columbia | Shared natural hot-spring pools | Paid entry Confirm current road access and day-use arrangements with the site operator. Camping is listed first come, first served. The operator’s currently accessible, undated Sloquet page lists CAD 10 per person for day use, payable in cash. Reconfirm the tariff and road access before travelling; the separate camping charge is not day-bath admission. Official admission source ↗ · Checked |
| Kaitoke Hot SpringsAuckland / Aotea Great Barrier Island | A walk beside Kaitoke wetlands and regenerating kānuka forest leads to hot pools at a fork in Kaitoke Creek. | Check fee The reviewed DOC track page does not describe a booking system or establish an admission fee. The reviewed DOC track page does not explicitly establish a bathing admission charge. Do not interpret that omission as confirmed free entry. Official admission source ↗ · Checked |
| Mangatutu Hot SpringsHawke’s Bay | Thermal water is channelled into two pools below a conservation campsite beside the Mohaka River. | Free entry No paid admission booking is described on the reviewed DOC page. DOC explicitly lists the Mangatutu campsite fee as free. The reviewed page does not publish a separate charge for the two thermal pools below it. Official admission source ↗ · Checked |
| Goldbug Hot SpringsIdaho | Goldbug is a mountain hot-springs destination reached by a substantial uphill walk south of Salmon. The approach includes steep sections and stairs before reaching the pools. | Free entry The reviewed BLM page does not publish a day-visit reservation requirement. BLM lists no fees; checked 16 October 2026. Official admission source ↗ · Checked |
| Kirkham Hot SpringsIdaho | Open-air riverside natural soaking pools | Paid entry Check with operator The federal listing states USD $5 day use; checked 16 October 2026. Its older campground wording does not establish present camping or fee-collection arrangements; confirm with Lowman Ranger District. Official admission source ↗ · Checked |
Idaho · United States
Kirkham Hot Springs
Riverside soaking pools and small steaming waterfalls beside the South Fork Payette River near Lowman.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
Nevada · United States
Spencer Hot Springs
A small collection of spring-fed soaking spots and metal tubs on public land in central Nevada’s Big Smoky Valley.
Wild & naturalFree entry
Hawke’s Bay · New Zealand
Mangatutu Hot Springs
Thermal water is channelled into two pools below a conservation campsite beside the Mohaka River.
Wild & naturalFree entry
Auckland / Aotea Great Barrier Island · New Zealand
Kaitoke Hot Springs
A walk beside Kaitoke wetlands and regenerating kānuka forest leads to hot pools at a fork in Kaitoke Creek.
Wild & naturalCheck fee
Oregon · United States
Umpqua Hot Springs
Terraced mineral pools overlook the North Umpqua River in a forest setting. Access is by a short trail when the approach road is available.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
Washington · United States
Olympic Hot Springs
Unmaintained hot-water seeps lie in the Elwha Valley wilderness. Reaching them is a backcountry outing rather than a drive-up resort visit.
Wild & naturalVehicle access restricted at Madison Falls; backcountry approach
Washington · United States
Goldmyer Hot Springs
A small wilderness preserve protects geothermal pools east of North Bend. Visitors travel on foot or mountain bike and carry their own supplies.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
Nevada · United States
Fish Lake Valley Hot Springs
A concrete soaking tub drains into wetland ponds in western Nevada. This county-managed public spring combines desert views with primitive camping.
Wild & naturalFree entry
Nevada · United States
Soldier Meadows Hot Springs
A warm creek feeds a series of primitive soaking pools on public land. The surrounding Black Rock region is remote and ecologically sensitive.
Wild & naturalFree entry
Arizona · United States
Arizona Hot Spring
Warm spring water runs through a narrow volcanic canyon near the Colorado River. The land approach is a strenuous hike with scrambling and an optional ladder section.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
New Mexico · United States
Spence Hot Springs
Small natural pools occupy a wooded hillside near Jemez Springs. A trail crosses the river and climbs to the bathing area.
Wild & naturalCheck fee
New Mexico · United States
McCauley Warm Springs
Warm pools lie in forest near Battleship Rock. The springs require a hike from the Jemez Springs highway corridor.
Wild & naturalCheck fee
Idaho · United States
Goldbug Hot Springs
Goldbug is a mountain hot-springs destination reached by a substantial uphill walk south of Salmon. The approach includes steep sections and stairs before reaching the pools.
Wild & naturalFree entry
British Columbia · Canada
Hot Springs Cove
Hot Springs Cove has rocky coastal pools linked by a warm waterfall. The springs lie in Ahousaht territory within the park now named mux̣ʷšiƛa Nism̓aakqin.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
British Columbia · Canada
Lussier Hot Springs
Lussier Hot Springs is a natural soaking stop in Whiteswan Lake Park. The springs are reached from the Whiteswan Forest Service Road near the park entrance.
Wild & naturalCheck fee
British Columbia · Canada
Sloquet Hot Springs
Sloquet is a naturally formed spring area sacred to the Xa’xtsa First Nation. The recreation site lies beside Sloquet Creek and is managed in partnership with the Nation.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
British Columbia · Canada
Halfway River Hot Springs
Halfway River Hot Springs is a recreation site with trails leading to the springs. Its official site map identifies separate day-use parking and camping areas.
Wild & naturalCheck fee
British Columbia · Canada
Gandll K’in Gwaay.yaay — Hotspring Island
Hotspring Island is a Gwaii Haanas cultural site overlooking Juan Perez Sound. Three pools were rebuilt after geothermal flow changed following the 2012 earthquake.
Wild & naturalPaid entry
British Columbia · Canada
Eucott Bay Hot Springs
Eucott Bay has a coastal rock-and-concrete spring pool in Cascade-Sutslem Conservancy. The bay lies on the north side of Dean Channel near King Island.
Wild & naturalCheck fee
Texas · United States
Langford Hot Springs — Big Bend
Big Bend’s riverside spring occupies the surviving foundation of the former Langford bathhouse. A short walk leads from the historic district trailhead to the Rio Grande bank.
Wild & naturalPaid entry