Hagerman Valley has some of the most gorgeous views around! One of these included a natural spring water oasis called Blue Heart Springs. The only way here is by water transportation, making it even more of an exclusive location. Continue reading for directions on how you can experience the jaw dropping beauty of Blue Heart Springs.
First, stop in Buhl at Cloverleaf Creamery. You will need some ice cream to fuel you for the adventure. Blue Heart Springs is a place worth protecting, and it sees high visitor volume during peak season. If you are visiting on a busy day, we recommend exploring nearby Banbury Hot Springs or Box Canyon for an equally stunning Southern Idaho experience with fewer crowds. Make sure to book a spot at Banbury Hot Springs to stay overnight and get the full Hagerman Valley Experience. Miracle and Banbury Hot Springs have natural hot spring pools to soak in, as well as camp sites, private domes, and RV spots.
Banbury Hot Springs: Starting Your Adventure to Blue Heart Springs
Banbury Hot Springs is located 1.5 miles upstream from Blue Heart Springs along the Snake River, making it an ideal launchpad for your paddling adventure. The springs feature a 120-by-60-foot outdoor pool and five private baths heated by artesian mineral water that flows from the earth at 138 degrees. Banbury Adventures, conveniently located at Banbury Hot Springs, offers kayak and paddleboard rentals and serves as the perfect launching point to access Blue Heart Springs. On busy summer days, you can spend the entire day soaking in the geothermal pools and exploring the river without paddling all the way to Blue Heart Springs. The paddle to Blue Heart Springs takes about 1.5 miles each way from Banbury’s ramp, making this a manageable day trip that combines two distinct experiences.
Getting to Blue Heart Springs by Kayak or Paddleboard
At Banbury, you can rent a kayak or paddle board. This is the easiest route to get to Blue Heart. It is about a mile and a half from the put in dock at Banbury. Paddle north, up the river, around a couple of tree covered islands. On the east side of the Snake River, you will see little river waterfall areas. These are worth a paddle by, as they are bright blue waters, spilling in from other natural springs! Box Canyon spills into the Snake River along the way, and one can visibly see the blue water mix with the river water. Stick your hand in to feel the freezing, pure water.
Just past the Box Canyon outlet, is a caved in area of the canyon. There is a small passage leading into what appears to be a forest area. The river curves west right after the passage, so make sure to continue going north as far as possible to not miss it. For time reference, it takes about 35-45 minutes to paddle from Banbury to Blue Heart’s passage. Once you’ve paddled through the passage, a large opening emerges, filled with the purest, bluest, clearest water you have ever seen! This is Blue Heart Springs.
Keep in mind that the paddle to Blue Heart Springs takes 35-45 minutes each way, so if the springs are crowded when you arrive, consider turning back and spending more time exploring the Box Canyon outlet and natural spring waterfalls along the way, which are stunning in their own right.
Visiting Blue Heart Springs Responsibly
Blue Heart Springs is at its best when visitors treat it with care. Peak season runs late spring through early fall when crowds are at their highest. For the most peaceful experience, plan your visit on a weekday morning or during the shoulder season in late spring or early fall. If the springs are busy when you arrive, Banbury Hot Springs and Box Canyon are two excellent nearby alternatives that offer a similarly stunning Southern Idaho experience.
Boats are allowed in the oasis as well, but must kill their engines. Please be respectful of anyone exploring this area as some days it can be over crowded. Although it is an exclusive spot, locals go on a regular basis. Follow their lead and keep the area as clean as possible. Go on a week day to beat the crowd and float around in peace. The water is so clear it will appear as if you are floating in the air! Take a swim to be instantly cooled off. The water stays at about 58 degrees even on the hottest days! Look to the bottom of the water and watch sand bubble up as the spring water emerges from the ground below. Surrounding walls of lava rock bake in the sun accompanied by snakes and lizards. We recommend hopping up the caved in rocks to see the view from above the water!
Explore Box Canyon: A Nearby Hidden Gem
Box Canyon features crystal blue spring water that pours out of canyon walls, rushes down a waterfall, and settles in a serene swimming hole before setting off for the Snake River, and you don’t even need a kayak to get there. The Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, a unit of Thousand Springs State Park, features a short but moderately strenuous trail that descends into a basalt-rimmed canyon to reach beautiful spring-fed waters. A 3 mile round-trip trail through Box Canyon shows off the area’s beauty and includes stops at a fun swimming pool and beautiful waterfall. Unlike Blue Heart Springs, it’s a comparable natural attraction that offers the same turquoise waters and high desert beauty without requiring a kayak rental or paddling experience.
Heading Back to Banbury
Paddling back to Banbury takes a little longer because the river is flowing the opposite direction. The typical current isn’t too bad, but it will take about 45-55 minutes to get back. If your shoulders need a massage after all the paddling, don’t worry! Miracle Hot Springs has in house massages you can easily book, as well as private hot spring soaking rooms. Drive into Hagerman for dinner at the Snake River Grill, and explore the history of the town at the Hagerman Valley Historical center and the Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Heart Springs
When is the best time to visit Blue Heart Springs?
Blue Heart Springs is an incredible destination in the summer, but it can get extremely crowded. The fall season is recommended instead to beat the crowds and that high desert heat. If you want to visit on non-busy days, come during shoulder season or winter, and visit on weekdays. Coming on a weekend in the summer guarantees that it will be busy. The weather in fall is beautiful, ranging from the 60s to 70s, and Blue Heart is just as stunning in winter with snowflakes falling as it is with the summer sun beating down.
What should I do if Blue Heart Springs is too crowded when I arrive?
If you arrive on a busy summer day, you have several options. Banbury Adventures is the perfect launching point to access many nearby destinations, including Blue Heart Springs and Box Canyon. If you want to visit on non-busy days, come during shoulder season or winter, and visit on weekdays. You can also visit nearby Box Canyon, which offers crystal clear turquoise waters and hiking trails, or explore other parts of Thousand Springs State Park, which includes six unique units with different attractions. Alternatively, spend your day at Banbury Hot Springs itself, which features day use areas and geothermal soaking pools.
Are there other outdoor activities near Blue Heart Springs if I want to skip the paddle?
Yes. Thousand Springs State Park isn’t a single destination but a collection of six unique parks spread throughout the Hagerman Valley: Malad Gorge, Kelton Trail, Earl M. Hardy Box Canyon Springs Nature Preserve, Billingsley Creek, Ritter Island, and Niagara Springs. Visitors can take in the Malad Gorge’s sweeping canyon views, hike to the turquoise waters of Box Canyon, stroll among waterfalls and historic buildings on Ritter Island, or enjoy Niagara Springs’ scenic overlooks and spring-fed waters. You can also enjoy hiking, biking, paddling, fishing, swimming, horseback riding, disc golf, and birdwatching at Thousand Springs State Park. For dining and shopping, Banbury also features a snack bar and shaded picnic areas.
Where can I eat near Blue Heart Springs after my visit?
Snake River Grill in Hagerman, located in the Frogs Landing complex, offers extremely unique locally sourced food including Walleye, Mallard Duck, Bass, Braised Lamb, Caviar, and steaks. Next to the restaurant is the Hagerman Valley Inn, with a walk to and from the hotel and restaurant of less than a minute. Hagerman’s downtown area is about 0.8 miles away and offers multiple restaurants, shops, coffee shops, wine tasting, bars, and grocery stores. Banbury Hot Springs itself features a snack bar for casual options.
What are the best nearby attractions to pair with a Blue Heart Springs visit?
Thousand Springs State Park offers six unique parks with options like Malad Gorge’s sweeping canyon views, Box Canyon’s turquoise waters, Ritter Island with waterfalls and historic buildings, and Niagara Springs’ scenic overlooks. After a day on the water, relax in the geothermal waters of Banbury and Miracle Hot Springs. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument preserves history with ancient fossils that reveal what Idaho looked like millions of years ago. Shoshone Falls is worth a side trip, towering at 212 feet—higher than Niagara—and is best viewed in early spring before it is put to work irrigating the area’s fertile farmland.
