Backcountry Hot Springs Bike Tour
RIDING TYPE
Intermediate
DURATION
5-Days
SEASON
July-August
Experience the Ultimate Idaho Hot Springs Cycle Tour
Experience the ultimate mountain biking trip, where every ride leads to a stunning natural hot spring, inviting you to relax and soak in the beauty of Idaho’s wild landscapes! We begin our trip in Ketchum, Idaho, and bike to the edge of the Sawtooth Wilderness Area. We’ll ride through rugged mountain passes, wildflower fields, and breathtaking valleys, all while knowing that a steaming natural hot spring awaits at every campsite—a perfect way to unwind after a thrilling day of mountain biking. This is truly a mountain biker’s dream vacation! The terrain on this tour is primarily dirt roads, offering a smooth ride with some challenging climbs and rewarding descents.
Hot Springs, High Passes & Challenging Backcountry Dirt Roads
This Idaho Hot Springs Cycle Tour is designed for Intermediate riders seeking a physical challenge, featuring:
- Hot Springs Immersion: Unwind at multiple natural hot springs along the route, including Worswick, Baumgartner, Atlanta, and Chattanooga Hot Springs.
- High-Altitude Passes: Conquer challenging climbs up to James Creek Summit (3,000 ft ascent) with outstanding views of the Sawtooth Range and Pioneer Mountains.
- Historical Immersion: Cycle through historic gold mining towns like Rocky Bar and explore the CCC-maintained Baumgartner Hot Springs.
- Terrain: Primarily graded main dirt roads (doubletrack), offering a smooth but physically demanding ride.
-DAY-BY-DAY
Itinerary
We begin our mountain bike tour in lovely Ketchum, Idaho. Our ride takes us past the ski resort up Warm Springs Road.
The road climbs gradually for 21 miles before a steeper five-mile ascent brings us to Dollarhide Summit.
From the summit, you can see the peaks of the Pioneer Mountains, the Boulder Mountains, and the Smoky Range.
A fun nine-mile downhill ride takes us to Worswick Hot Springs, our first night’s camp, offering several nice pools.
Today we will pass three hot springs while riding along the banks of the Boise River.
We will follow the course of Little Smoky Creek to the confluence with the South Fork of the Boise River.
Our afternoon ride is a fun cruise down the South Fork of the Boise, culminating at Baumgartner Hot Springs.
The springs feature a beautifully maintained concrete pool (built by the CCC) and a deep swimming hole.
We continue our river-grade cruise for 11 miles to Featherville, then begin a series of climbs toward James Creek Summit.
This steep, 3,000-foot climb offers great views of the Sawtooth Range. We will pass Rocky Bar, an abandoned mining town.
Atop the summit, we immediately plunge down along James Creek to the Middle Fork of the Boise River, bringing us into the isolated town of Atlanta, Idaho.
Near our camp, choose from three hot springs, including the Atlanta Hot Springs and the cascading Chattanooga Hot Springs.
Today we will wake up in beautiful Atlanta, ID, and continue our exploration of the Middle Fork of the Boise River.
We will ride on mellow river grade, passing multiple hot springs and areas of the rich mining history of the region.
We will camp near Loftus Hot Springs this evening, where we can soak after a great ride.
Our last day of the tour continues along the Boise River to Lucky Peaks reservoir.
We will pedal past some of Boise’s best kept secret fishing holes.
We will finish our tour with a tasty lunch before shuttling back to our starting location in Ketchum, ID.
-TRIP NOTES
The fine print
Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, rider safety and other factors which may affect the logistics of the adventure.
Road Surface
Graded main dirt roads.
Overall Rating
Intermediate
Technical Difficulty
Moderate
Physical Difficulty
Moderate to strenuous with long climbs
Altitude
6,000 - 9,000 feet
Biking Mileage
20-36 miles per day
Hiking Mileage
20-36 miles per day
–Travel Logistics
Getting there.
Ketchum, ID. This trip will meet at 7:30 AM MST. The address will be provided in the Confirmation Email; call the office to confirm. You will need to spend the night before in Ketchum.
ENDING TIME: Return to Ketchum between 3:00-4:00 PM on the last day.
Driving
Ketchum is located 77 miles north of I-84 on Highway 75; parking available for the duration of the tour.
Flying into Sun Valley (SUN).
Flying into Boise, ID (BOI)
Rent a car and drive (~2.5 hrs) or take the Sun Valley Express shuttle, 208-622-8267 / 877-622-8267.
Flying into Salt Lake City, UT (SLC)
Rent a car and drive (~5 hrs)
TAXI SERVICE
A-1 Taxicab 208-726-9351; Sun Valley Limo & Taxi 208-481-2119 (airport shuttles)
Lodging Before Your Trip
Hotel Ketchum
Tamarack Lodge
Best Western Tyrolean
Lodging in Hailey
Hailey is a cute little town with good restaurants. It is 10 miles south of Sun Valley. Allow 1/2 hour drive time in the morning.
Airport Inn Hailey, ID
PACKING
What We Provide
- meals, snacks, water, electrolyte drinks, non-alcoholic drinks
- camp mugs, all kitchen and dining ware
- 1 cycling water bottle; camp chairs
- dry bags to pack your gear
- solar showers
- sunscreen & bug spray
- bike stand and lube
- guides bring their own tools
- first aid kit with basic medications
How to Pack
- Given a dry bag at check-in for gear (not accessible during the day)
- riding pack needed to carry 2-3 liters of water, rain gear, warm clothing, and food.
Bring or rent
Bringing or Ranting
- bike (rentals come with flat pedals)
- helmet (gratis w/rental bike)
- tent
- sleeping bag
- sleeping pad
Cycling Clothing
- cycling shoes
- 3-5 pair cycling shorts
- 3-5 cycling shirts
- long sleeve cycling shirt
- long sleeve cotton shirt or solar sleeves
- cycling socks
- windbreaker
- tights or leg warmers
- 2 pair cycling gloves
- rain jacket & rain pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- warm layer
- sunglasses
Camp Clothing
- camp shorts/shirts
- warm socks
- long underwear
- 2 pair warm long pants
- fleece/sweater
- pile or down jacket
- warm gloves and hat
- brimmed hat
- bathing suit
- hiking shoes
- sandals
- rain gear
Personal
- toiletries
- medication
- towel
- biodegradable soap
- wet-wipes
- flashlight/headlamp
- sunglasses
- optional day bag
- stuff sacks
- cash for tipping (10-20% of trip price)
Optional
- camera
- binoculars
- favorite beverages
- books/maps
- portable USB charger
Need more information about our bike trips?
Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732.
Need more information about our bike trips? Check out what a bike trip is all about by visiting our camping page, FAQ page, what to bring page or be the first to know about new trips, last minute trip openings and future discounts by subscribing to our newsletter.
Need even more details? Send us a message or call and talk to one of our trip specialists at (435) 259-8732
Gallery
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