Indian Bathtubs Hike

Trail Map | Elevation Profile

This six-mile loop trail is located just south of Bruneau and offers almost year-round access, when roads are dry. Two possible hiking routes are described. One trail follows a loop which descends to the Bruneau River and ascends to the foot of the Twin Buttes. The other route is a direct climb to and back from the Twin Buttes. There is poison ivy along the way. Due to ground water pumping for irrigation, there is generally no surface water present at Indian Bathtub or the falls along Hot Creek. The area is just to the north of the Bruneau River – Sheep Creek Wilderness Study Area, which is noted for its spectacular canyons and riparian areas. 

Directions: Take Hwy 51 south to the town of Bruneau, turning left/southeast on Hot Springs Road (unmarked) at the One Stop Café. Reset trip odometer immediately. 

00.0 Hot Springs Road at Hwy 51.
07.5 Right/west over bridge
08.2 Left/south onto CCC Road.
11.3 Left/east onto unmarked road.
11.7 Left/northeast onto unmarked road.
12.1 Park and go through pedestrian gate. 

Navigating the trail: .75 miles, 100’ vertical one way from parking area to where trail ties into road network above rimrock. 

• Walk through pedestrian gate and descend the gulch right/east. Once at the creek bank, turn left/north and cross a fence.
• Follow trail north, being mindful of the abundant poison ivy.
• Trail leads to two-track that ascends to top of rim rock.
• At top of rim, one can continue north just below the rim rock on a trail that becomes more evident in 300’ or take the two-track north.
• The trail passes a hot springs pool in a cove. The hot springs pool is also accessible from a ridge-top two-track.
• There are other abundant two-tracks and trails to the north.