About 45 miles north of downtown Boise, Skinnydipper Hot Springs is located on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land between the localities of Banks and Crouch, both of which are tiny communities. Skinnydipper is a new site in that the source of the springs was discovered only during the 90's, and a few hot springs enthusiasts constructed rock-lined soaking pools along a small creek that cascades down a steep mountainside. There are three soaking pools. The first one you reach is the largest. It is roughly circular and about 15 feet across. Just uphill there are two smaller pools. There are pipes with valves that run downhill from one pool to the next, allowing visitors to adjust the water temperature at any of the pools by adding hot or cold water.

The volunteers who developed and continue to maintain the springs have also ensured that nude bathing is an accepted and ingrained part of the culture, most obviously in the name choice for the springs. The "keepers" of the site post and maintain signage in the area, and among the signs are those indicating that the springs is a "bare habitat." Despite the signage indicating that nudity is acceptable, there is often a mix of nude and textile soakers.

Although Idaho is replete with hot springs, many of them are quite remote, and just about all the ones where nude soaking is a viable option require a good but of effort to reach. Skinnydipper has filled a void in being a nude soaking option that is relatively close to the Boise metro area, which is home to more than a third of Idaho's population. As for ease of access, that depends on whether you are talking about the drive or the hike. The driving and parking is the easy part. You will be on paved roads all the way, and food and fuel is available about 5 miles to the east in Crouch. The hike itself is a challenge. Although the trail is not very long (about 1/2 mile), it is very steep. You will begin going uphill right away, gaining about 1,000 feet in elevation over a relatively short distance, so you will need to be in good physical condition for the hike.

Skinnydipper has become a popular soaking spot during its relatively short history, and an unfortunate side effect of its relative proximity to a population center is that is has been discovered by the (mostly textile) party crowd, who often leave behind beer bottles, beer cans and other garbage. The keepers of the springs dutifully clear out the trash regularly, but please do you part to maintain the beauty and ambiance by carrying out any garbage you generate (and maybe hauling out a little extra garbage to boot, if you find any).

VISUAL RESOURCES

GPS: 44.0978N, 116.0515W (not precise, but reasonably close)

city, county, state, country  Banks, Boise, Idaho, U.S.A.

classification  2 (traditionally nude)

There are 3 placemarks related to this site.