With a few free days to play with, we decided to take the plunge into our first hot springs experience. Coming off of a holiday weekend, we weren’t sure how crowded campgrounds would be and decided to shoot for a destination with plenty of options. About ninety minutes north, a stretch of river boasting a number of hot springs and campsites fit the bill so we loaded up the truck and set out. Luckily, the majority of holiday weekend traffic had already headed home and we arrived at our top pick destination (Pine Flats Campground) to find plenty of open space and spectacular views.

Our campsite was shady and flat, boasting a nice firepit area and the refreshing sights and sounds of the Payette River gurgling just a few yards away. The trail to the hot springs was located at the edge of the campground and required a bit of climbing and coordination but the end result was completely worth it. Tucked into the bluff along the rivers edge, a cascading waterfall fills picturesque rock lined pools with delightfully warm and crystal clear hot spring water. We enjoyed trying out a few different pools and then settled into one to relax and watch the sky turn from daylight to dusk to a spectacular smattering of stars. As night came, the steam rising from the springs grew with the dropping temperatures and created a beautiful misty fog. The roar of the waterfalls hitting each pool coupled with the rushing river below became a symphony that surrounded us as we submerged into the hot spring water and marveled at all nature had to offer.