Country
United States
Reviews
No reviews yet
Family friendly
Yes
Season
Late spring to autumn, if open
About Weir Hot Springs
Weir Creek Hot Springs sits in the forest above the Lochsa River in north-central Idaho, about 68 miles east of Kooskia on US-12 and roughly ten minutes' drive west of Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. Hot water at around 118°F (48°C) seeps from a cliff into a small side canyon of Weir Creek and feeds a handful of volunteer-built pools with gravel or sand bottoms, some edged with split logs. The main pool, on a rock ledge looking out over the creek and cedar forest, holds about ten people and usually runs at or a little under 105°F; a smaller, more secluded upper pool lies against the cliff, and seasonal lower pools sit near the creek and are cooler. There is a faint sulphur smell. Clothing is optional by custom and guides say to expect a mix of swimsuits and nude soakers, especially on busy summer weekends. Because the springs are only half a mile from the highway, they have long been popular and heavily used, and the Forest Service has repeatedly cited litter, human waste, vandalism, drug and alcohol use and night-time injuries on icy slopes. Since 2022 the area has been closed at night, and the regional tourism board has since listed it as closed until further notice, so check before going.
Legal context & local rules
There is no designated clothing-optional status; nudity is informal custom on National Forest land. Since November 2022 a Forest Service order closes the springs from 8 pm to 6 am, with fines possible, and in 2021 Idaho State Police issued 49 drug and alcohol citations here; the regional tourism board now lists the springs as closed until further notice (checked 2026).
Public nudity is largely prohibited in the US under indecent exposure laws which vary significantly by state. Vermont has no state-level law against public nudity, making it unique. Florida designates specific beaches as clothing-optional (Haulover Beach, Blind Creek State Park). Federal jurisprudence under the First Amendment has occasionally recognised nude expression in protests, though states regulate for public decency standards. Most states prohibit exposure of "sexual organs" in public under statutes similar to Florida Statute § 800.03.
What’s here
Getting there and visiting
Park at the small, unsigned turnout on the north side of US-12 at milepost 142.1 (about 12 cars), where there is a vault toilet. An undeveloped trail follows the left side of Weir Creek for about half a mile with roughly 100 feet of gain; rocks near the pools are very slippery and icy in winter. No fees, no camping at the springs (Colgate and other Forest Service campgrounds are nearby), no public transport, no cell service and not wheelchair accessible. The site is closed from 8 pm to 6 am, and may be closed entirely: confirm with the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District first.
What visitors say
Guides praise the main pool's setting on a ledge above the creek and the hot, adjustable water, and describe clothing as mixed, with nude bathing common. Most also warn that the springs are crowded on summer weekends, that the rocks are slippery, and that the site has suffered from litter and human waste. Weekday and early visits are recommended for a quieter soak.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Before you go
- 1 Check the current local rules and access conditions before travelling.
- 2 Bring a towel and sit on it when using shared seating.
- 3 Never take photographs of other people without clear consent.
- 4 Respect the venue’s clothing, privacy, and behaviour rules.
Location
⌖View this place on the map
46.4636, -115.0362
Frequently asked questions
Is Weir Creek Hot Springs clothing optional?
By custom, yes. Guides say you will see both swimsuits and nude bathers.
Is it open?
It has been closed at night (8 pm to 6 am) since 2022, and the regional tourism board now lists it as closed until further notice. Check with the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests before you go.
How far is the walk?
About half a mile on an undeveloped trail along Weir Creek from a turnout at milepost 142.1 on US-12.
Can I camp there?
No. Camping is not allowed at the springs; use nearby Forest Service campgrounds on US-12.
Sources
- Weir Creek Hot Springs (Hot Springs Locator, Aug 2024)
- Overnight closure implemented at popular Weir Creek Hot Springs (Montana Free Press, Dec 2022)
- Hot springs in North Central Idaho (Visit North Central Idaho) Official
- Forest Service to implement use restrictions at popular hot springs (Bitterroot Star, 2022)
Researched 24 October 2026 .
Help keep this page accurate
Conditions and venue policies change. Submit a correction or update so other naturists can make informed decisions.
Suggest an update →Members’ reviews
Write a review →No member reviews yet. Been here? Share what it was like.
More naturist places in United States
View all in United States →Alice Falls
Alice Falls is a waterfall and swimming spot on the Ausable River near Keeseville, at the northeastern edge of the Adirondacks. Flat rock ledges beside the falls are used informally for nude sunbathing, including by families. It has no facilities or official status. River currents can be strong after rain, and visitors should respect nearby residents.
Alpenglow Ranch Clothing Optional B&B
Alpenglow Ranch is a clothing-optional bed and breakfast and small resort near Bend in central Oregon, listed with AANR and the Clothing Optional Home Network. Guests stay in the house and can relax nude around the grounds with views toward the Cascades, using Bend as a base for high-desert hiking and hot springs trips. Booking ahead is required.
Alvord Hot Springs
A privately owned desert soaking spot at the foot of Steens Mountain in south-eastern Oregon. Two rustic concrete pools look out over the white playa of the Alvord Desert. The spring is on a working ranch, and a small fee covers soaking, with bunkhouse rooms and camping nearby. Soaking here is clothing-optional, and the remote setting is known for big skies and stargazing.
Apollo Beach
Apollo Beach is the northern, Volusia County district of Canaveral National Seashore, a federally protected barrier island south of New Smyrna Beach on Florida's Atlantic coast. A park road runs south from the entrance station past five numbered parking areas with boardwalks over the dunes; nude sunbathing happens on the sand south of parking area 5, the last lot before the road ends. A long-standing understanding between naturist groups and rangers dating to 2000 asks people to stay covered until about 150 yards south of that boardwalk, although nude visitors are often seen closer. South of there the beach continues as Klondike Beach, roughly a dozen miles of undeveloped shore with no road access, so the farther you walk the emptier it gets. The beach is wide, soft, pale sand backed by sea oats and dunes, with no shade, no buildings and no vendors. It draws fewer people than Playalinda at the Brevard end of the seashore, mostly because parking is so limited. Volusia County has never passed a public nudity ordinance, which is why this end of the seashore has a calmer legal position than Playalinda. Wildlife sightings (shorebirds, wild hogs, armadillos) are common on the drive in.
Apollo Beach Ramp 5
Apollo Beach Ramp 5 is a nudist-friendly beach in Volusia County, Florida,, USA. Nudity is optional. On-site amenities include restrooms.
Arcadia Romantic Getaway
Arcadia Romantic Getaway is a small, couples-oriented naturist retreat in the rural community of Arcadia, near Shelton in Mason County. The fenced six-acre property has gardens, a pool and a hot tub, and the owner screens visitors, so guests must call ahead. Day passes are available during a summer season that runs roughly from Memorial Day through September. Coordinates mark the Arcadia community, not the exact gate.