Stanley Hot Springs is a series of primitive soaking pools located in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Located in beautiful country and access via Trail # 211 is just hard enough that there are not an exorbitant number of people.
From Lewiston, Idaho: Take US Highway East toward Lolo Pass. Once past the town of Lowell drive approximately 26 miles to the Wilderness Gateway Campground. Trailhead parking is located past the 'A' and 'B' loops. There is no parking fee.
Although there was once a bridge crossing Boulder Creek it washed away in the winter of 1998-99. The USFS has not yet expressed intent to rebuild it. The hot springs must now be accessed by 1 of 2 methods.
1. You can ford the creek. 2. A little down river from the trail site you will see a log jam, the logs are well stuck in place and make a perfect natural bridge across the river, follow the logs zig zagging across the river to the center island and then you will see a log that has been rope strung into a make shift bridge over the last 1/2 of the Creek. During the spring run off you will probably get wet if your balance isn't the best, but you can easily cross without fording. The optimal times to visit are after the spring runoff and before heavy snowfall, although it is possible to snowshoe into the hot springs.
visited springs 14-June-08