Blue Heart Springs
Blue Heart Springs is an incredible natural spring pool directly off the Snake River south of Hagerman, ID. This natural spring produces crystal clear water, allowing you to see all the way to the bottom despite its depth. The only way to access the spring is by using the river. Most visitors bring their own watercraft, but Banbury also has a kayak and SUP rental option called Blue Heart Kayaking. You can book your rental on the website. They also provide guided tours, or plan to according to their website. (See their website for prices of equipment.)
The trip, if you hang out at Blue Heart Springs for a bit, can take a couple of hours. You will want to be sure to pack a snack, at least. If you will be missing a meal time, like lunch or dinner, you will want to pack food appropriately. Of course, take along plenty of water.
To access the Snake River by Standup Paddle Board (SUP), kayak, canoe, or any non-motorized watercraft, the typical put-in is located at Banbury Hot Springs. There are several important notes you should be aware of before visiting.
The earlier you arrive, the higher the chances of finding a spot to park. Weekdays are less busy than weekends. Cooler periods of the year are less busy than hotter periods.
There are limited parking spaces available. There is also a parking fee of $10. You can reserve the parking and launch online here. This requires creating an account.
If there are too many people, you will not be able to use this location to launch your watercraft, which is why reservations online may be a great idea if you plan to go during the busy season. Other launch areas in the area are Thousand Springs, the Idaho Power facility at Ritter Island, and Owsley Bridge. Banbury is the closest location to launch from.
Map of launching locations for Blue Heart Springs
You cannot park near the put-in. If you did not reserve a date and time online, stop at the Hot Spring Pool and purchase your parking and launch ticket before going down to the launch area. This will reserve a parking spot for your vehicle. Then, you can drive down to drop off your watercraft, but must go back up to the parking area.
There are times when the area is too busy, and you will not be allowed to drive down to the launch area. They might have a shuttle to help you transport watercraft down to the launch area, but it is not a guarantee.
The launch is closed on Sundays. Banbury is closed on Sundays and there will be no access to launch non-motorized watercraft.
The trip from Banbury to Blue Heart is a little over 1.5 miles (2.41 km). The Snake River in this section is slow moving, allowing you to set the pace of your trip. The later you go in the Summer, the more vegetation will be in the water and the more smells, interesting and otherwise, you may encounter during your trip.
During your trip along the river, the views are pleasant, with plenty of natural views along the eastern side of the river. The best view along the river is where Box Canyon Spring empties into the river. The western side of the river is more flat, and green, with some views of human development along the way. This is mostly visible at the Clear Springs Trout Farm. Because you are on the river, the trout farm is practically invisible, with only a few things visible from on the water.
Keep an eye out for some local wildlife you may see along the water. North American river otters, martens, red-winged blackbirds, and even American white pelicans may be seen. You may even see a trout or bass break the surface of the river, especially in the morning or early evening.
After traveling 1.5 miles (2.41 km) down the river, you will see a small waterway on the right where the river makes a somewhat sharp left turn. The inlet to Blue Heart Springs is well masked by the vegetation in the water in front of the inlet and the vegetative growth along both banks of the inlet. It is wide enough and deep enough for motorized boats to enter though, I’ll speak more about this later. The inlet can be difficult to get to in the later Summer months because of the dense growth of water plants at the entrance. There is usually a single clear path created by the many previous visitors. Don’t try to cut your own path, unless you like a superb workout or just want to get really stuck.
You will notice the change in the water’s color and clarity as you leave the river, pass through the inlet, and enter the Spring. It is like entering a small miracle oasis or pool transported from some photo of the Caribbean. With the crystal clear pool resting at the base of a deep bowl, surrounded on three sides by ancient lava rock cliffs and rubble, it is very awe-invoking. Pause as needed to take it in.
Inside the spring, enjoy the beautiful water, watch for fish swimming along the bottom and see if you can identify them through the crystal clear water. Lay back and enjoy the scenery and beauty of the unusual moment you are experiencing. It can be a magical, soothing, healing experience. Look around for the small mink or marten family that inhabits the large boulders along the pool’s edge.
Now, for a little note to prepare you for what you may also encounter. If you are not able to go early and on a weekday in early spring or late fall, you will likely be very unalone. This is a pretty popular spot to visit and this can be jarring, and even could ruin your experience, depending on the people you are forced to share this location with. While the pool is a decent size, it can feel crowded. If you watch the video, you will notice quite a few people on SUPs and kayaks, but also a couple boats. If you are going during a more busy time, you should prepare yourself for the likelihood that many others will be visiting as well. Some of them may find the need to party hard and/or share their love of interesting and loud music with you. If you are like me, understanding this possibility allowed me to be prepared and able to better ignore it rather than having it become a focus and ruin my experience.
The trip back to Banbury Hot Springs takes a little more effort and is a little slower since you are going against the slight current. If you have made the early morning trip then you can easily get back to the Hot Springs with plenty of time to also take a dip in the pool. If you are done with people for the day, you can pay a little extra to get a private pool. You can get more info on pricing here.
