Zim's Hot Springs, Idaho: Soaking Near New Meadows

What Zim's Hot Springs is and who it suits

Zim's is a developed hot springs property with a soaking pool and an on-site RV park and campground. That combination makes it a good fit for families, road-trippers in RVs, and anyone who wants a warm soak without a hike. It is not a primitive forest soak, so leave the backpacking stove and the river shoes at home and bring a towel and a plan for the evening.

Think of Zim's as a base camp rather than a destination soak on its own. The site sits at the crossroads of US 95 and State Highway 55 near New Meadows, which makes it a natural stop on a route between Boise and McCall or a loop through the Payette National Forest. Soak in the evening, sleep at the campground, and spend the next day at a nearby spring or on the river.

Where it sits: New Meadows, the highway approach, and the drive from McCall and Boise

Zim's Hot Springs is at 2995 Zims Rd in New Meadows, Idaho, close to the junction of US 95 and State Highway 55. From McCall, the drive is short and straightforward along State Highway 55 south to New Meadows. From Boise, plan on a longer drive northwest along State Highway 55 through Cascade and Donnelly, with mountain grades and passing lanes that reward an early start.

The final approach is on paved roads, which keeps the trip simple in most weather. Winter driving on this corridor can bring snow and ice, so carry chains or traction tires and check road conditions before you leave. Once in New Meadows, fuel up and pick up groceries, since services thin out quickly toward the forest.

The pools: developed soaking layout and what to expect from the water

The soak at Zim's is a developed pool rather than a series of natural rock tubs. Expect a constructed pool setting with the usual comforts of a developed spring, and plan to shower or rinse off before you get in. Because the water is untreated geothermal water, keep your head above the surface and avoid swallowing it.

For a sense of how developed pools compare with the region's primitive soaks, look at the range of hot springs in Idaho. That context helps you decide whether to spend a full afternoon at Zim's or use it as a quick evening soak before moving on. If you want a bigger pool complex with a town attached, Lava Hot Springs is the other Idaho option worth comparing.

Fees, hours, and season

Zim's has operated seasonally with a spring opening; a maintenance closure ran from May 6 to May 21, 2024, with the hot springs and campground reopening on May 22. Treat those dates as history and confirm the current season's opening before you build a trip around it. Call the number listed for the property at 208-347-2686 or check the property's own site for the latest schedule.

Ask about day-use fees and pool hours when you book or call ahead, since they can change with the season. Bring a card and a little cash as a backup, and confirm whether the pool closes for maintenance during your dates. If you are planning a holiday weekend, reserve early and expect the campground to fill.

Reservations and group visits

The property operates an RV park, so booking ahead is the practical move for an overnight stay, especially in summer. Ask whether the pool can be used without a campsite and whether group visits need advance arrangements. For a family reunion or a club trip, call early and ask what the site can accommodate before you set a date.

If your group wants a developed pool with a town nearby for dinner and lodging, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho is a useful comparison. Its foundation runs a well-known pool complex and the town has a range of places to stay. Zim's is the quieter, more rural choice of the two, and for other developed-pool stops on a longer trip you can weigh options in this Nevada guide.

Camping at Zim's: RV sites and tent stays

Camping at Zim's is the anchor of a multi-spring trip: you can soak in the evening and drive to a different spring the next morning. The property lists itself as an RV resort and campground at 2995 Zims Rd, with credit cards accepted. Ask about hookups, tent sites, and whether a pool pass is included with a stay when you book.

For tent campers, the draw is the same: a warm soak within walking distance of your site and a short drive to the Payette corridor. Pack layers, since mountain nights cool off quickly even in midsummer, and bring a headlamp for the walk back from the pool. If you prefer a roof and a restaurant, McCall is a short drive north.

What to bring for a developed soak

Pack a swimsuit, a towel, sandals for the pool deck, and a water bottle. A dry bag keeps your phone and keys safe, and a warm layer makes the walk back to the car or campsite comfortable after dark. Leave glass containers at home, since pool areas generally prohibit them.

Bring cash or a card for any day-use or campsite charge, and keep a small cooler in the car for snacks. If you plan to move on to a primitive spring afterward, add hiking shoes, a map, and a trash bag for pack-it-out rules. Check the weather forecast for the New Meadows area before you commit to a winter visit.

Crowds and the best time to visit

Summer weekends and holiday periods bring the most traffic to the Payette corridor, so aim for a weekday or an early-morning soak if you want quiet water. Fall is a sweet spot: cooler air makes the warm pool more inviting and the campground is less crowded. Spring can be hit or miss with maintenance and runoff, so call before you go.

If you are in the area for a bigger trip, the broader list of hot springs in Idaho helps you slot Zim's into a route with other soaks. Reserve campsites early for July and August, and keep a backup plan in mind if the pool is busy when you arrive.

Winter soaking at Zim's

A winter soak is one of the best reasons to visit Zim's: cold air, steam, and a short walk back to a warm car or camper. The property operates seasonally, so confirm winter opening dates and pool hours before you drive up from Boise or McCall. Carry chains, a scraper, and warm clothes for the drive on US 95 and State Highway 55.

Winter also quiets the crowds, which makes Zim's a relaxed base for a weekend. Book an RV site or nearby lodging in McCall early, since winter visitors fill the region around ski season. Keep your soak short and your head above water, and change out of wet clothes promptly afterward.

Rules and pool etiquette

Follow the pool's posted rules on swimwear, alcohol, and glass, and keep noise low for other guests. Shower before entering the pool and supervise children closely around the water. Because this is a developed pool, the property's rules replace the informal etiquette of a primitive soak.

Leave the pool deck as you found it and pack out anything you bring in. If you are camping, keep food stored and follow the campground's quiet hours. For a developed pool with a different set of rules and a historic bathhouse feel, compare notes with Lava Hot Springs Foundation before your trip.

Nearby springs to combine on a road trip: Gold Fork, Burgdorf, Trail Creek, and Tibbs Family

Zim's sits within an easy drive of several very different soaks. Gold Fork Hot Springs, southeast of Donnelly, is a developed spring with terraced pools, while Burgdorf Hot Springs, north of McCall, is a rustic Forest Service area with a historic bathhouse. Trail Creek Hot Springs is a primitive roadside soak, and Tibbs Family Hot Springs outside McCall offers a small private setting with two natural springs producing 98-degree water year-round.

Use Zim's as the comfortable base and pick one or two of the others for daytime exploring. Burgdorf Hot Springs, Idaho in Payette National Forest rewards the drive with a remote setting, while Trail Creek is a quick stop if you are already on the road. Book Tibbs in advance if you want a private soak, and plan your route so you are not driving mountain roads after dark.

If your road trip extends south, Lava Hot Springs is a natural stop on the way back toward Utah or eastern Idaho. Its pool complex and town make it a comfortable contrast to Zim's rural setting. Further south, Miracle Hot Springs near Buhl gives you another developed option in the Snake River Plain.

Where to stay and eat in New Meadows and McCall

New Meadows is small, with a few cafes and a grocery store, while McCall, about 15 miles north, has more restaurants and lodging. Staying at Zim's puts you close to the pool and campground, but McCall is the better base if you want a motel room and a choice of dinner spots. Book ahead in summer and during ski season.

If your trip continues east toward Idaho Falls, Heise Hot Springs is a developed pool and pizza stop that works well as a family break. Miracle Hot Springs near Buhl is another developed option further south. Use these as anchors for a longer loop through southern Idaho.

Leave No Trace for the primitive springs nearby

At nearby primitive soaks such as Trail Creek, pack out everything you bring in, including food scraps and trash. Soak without soap or shampoo, and keep the pools and banks clean for the next visitor. If you build a fire, use an existing ring and keep it small, and check fire restrictions before you head out.

These habits matter because primitive springs have no staff to clean up after visitors. Bring a trash bag in your car and use it at every stop. If a spring is crowded, move on rather than adding to the pressure.

Plan Your Soak at Zim's

Zim's Hot Springs is a practical, drive-up soak near New Meadows with a campground that makes it an easy anchor for a Payette corridor road trip. Confirm the season's opening and pool hours with the property before you set out, and reserve a campsite early for summer weekends. Bring layers, a towel, and a cooler, and leave room in the itinerary for Gold Fork, Burgdorf, or Trail Creek.