Swinging Bridge Beach
Cascade, Idaho
Hike and Swim
Swinging Bridge Campground is located 10 miles north of Banks, Idaho just off Highway 55 at an elevation of 4,000 feet. The North Fork Payette River flows next to the highway, where whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular activities. The campground is situated is a scenic canyon just above Highway 55. The mountains are forested with a mix of Ponderosa and lodgepole pines and shade is plentiful within most of the campground. Summer days are warm, reaching 80-90 degrees; nights are cooler.
More Information
swimmingholes.org Idaho Swimming Holes and Hot Springs rivers creek springs falls hiking camping out
THE web site for beautiful, natural places for a cool dip or hot soak.
https://www.swimmingholes.org/id.htmlBe courteous, informed, and prepared. Read trailhead guidelines, stay on the trail, and don't feed the wildlife.
Read MoreDirections
From Cascade, Idaho
- Head southeast toward E Market St (95 ft)
- Turn right at the 1st cross street onto E Market St (154 ft)
- Turn left at the 1st cross street onto ID-55 S/S Main StContinue to follow ID-55 SDestination will be on the left(25.9 mi)
Swinging Bridge Campground is located in southwestern Idaho, 39 miles north of Boise. Take State Highway 55 north to Banks (35 miles). Proceed north on Highway 55 (4 miles) to campground.
Other Swimming Holes and Hiking Trails Nearby
Mile Marker 4 (Skinnydipper Hotsprings)
Garden Valley, Idaho
8.7 miles SA backcountry hot spring about 45–60 minutes from Boise, reached by steep switchbacks after a half-mile hike — avoid during bad weather as the roads and trail become treacherous quickly.
Hike, Swim
Hot Springs Campground
Garden Valley, Idaho
14.5 miles SESwim near Garden Valley, Idaho
Swim
Pine Flat Hot Springs
Garden Valley, Idaho
23.3 miles SEAn aqua-blue hot spring pool at the base of a small waterfall on the South Fork Payette River — just a quarter mile from Pine Flat Campground in the Boise National Forest.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Hot Springs, Kayak, Whitewater
Old Dam Rope Swing
Emmett, Idaho
25.9 miles SWA rope swing about 15 feet above the water just off the road near an old dam — with a good swing you can clear 25 feet, but strong swimmers only in this spot.
Dive, Swim
Bonneville Hot Springs
Lowman, Idaho
39.5 miles EA series of soaking pools fed by a warm waterfall, plus a natural hot spring and a private iron-tub soak shack — all a quarter mile from Bonneville Campground beside Warm Springs Creek near Lowman.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs
Central Foothills
Boise, Idaho
40.2 miles SIdaho's Central Foothills offer access to over 19,000 miles of trails — from paved urban paths to remote wilderness climbs, including the 1,200-mile Idaho Centennial Trail.
Hike, Mountain Bike
Military Reserve Trails
Boise, Idaho
41.1 miles SA 460-acre wildlife and recreation reserve near Boise with trails through a historic military range repurposed for the community — managed to preserve natural values alongside public recreation.
Hike, Mountain Bike 1.4 mi
Table Rock
Boise, Idaho
42.4 miles SDirectly above downtown Boise, Table Rock rewards hikers with panoramic city, valley, and foothills views — especially stunning at sunrise or sunset, when the iconic white cross lights up on the peak.
Hike
Sandy Point
Boise, Idaho
47.1 miles SA shallow, family-friendly lake inside Lucky Peak State Park with a playful fountain, a splash pad, paddleboard rentals, disc golf, volleyball, and free loaner life jackets.
Disc Golf, SwimNearby Campsites
Roystone Hot Springs
Emmett, Idaho
21.8 miles SWA private heated pool, huge hot tub, party room, and recreation area at Roystone Hot Springs in Sweet, Idaho — about 50 minutes from Boise for a relaxing day of soaking.
Camp, Hot Springs
Pine Flat Hot Springs
Garden Valley, Idaho
23.3 miles SEAn aqua-blue hot spring pool at the base of a small waterfall on the South Fork Payette River — just a quarter mile from Pine Flat Campground in the Boise National Forest.
Camp, Canoe, Hike, Hot Springs, Kayak, Whitewater
Park Creek Campground
Lowman, Idaho
26.8 miles EA small, tranquil campground in an old-growth forest along Park Creek in the Baker Lake basin, close to Baker Lake and the larger Swift Creek Campground.
Camp
Kirkham Hot Springs Campground
Lowman, Idaho
29.6 miles EMultiple hot waterfalls flowing into shallow rock pools right along a highway 21 pullout near the Boise National Forest — popular in both summer and winter seasons.
Camp, Hot Springs
Bonneville Hot Springs
Lowman, Idaho
39.5 miles EA series of soaking pools fed by a warm waterfall, plus a natural hot spring and a private iron-tub soak shack — all a quarter mile from Bonneville Campground beside Warm Springs Creek near Lowman.
Camp, Hike, Hot Springs
Loftus Hot Spring
Mountain Home, Idaho
42.0 miles SELoftus Hot Spring is a free Boise National Forest soak on the Middle Fork Boise River, with a hot waterfall between ~110F and ~104F pools.
Camp, Hot Springs
Badger Creek Campground
Boise City-Nampa, ID, Idaho
42.8 miles SEA small 5-site riverside campground at 3,200-foot elevation on the Middle Fork of the Boise River, with fishing for rainbow, cutthroat, and whitefish and access to the William Pogue National Recreational Trail nearby.
Camp
Irish Boat Ramps
Boise, Idaho
43.5 miles SA year-round scramble starting at a Boise-area reservoir and climbing steeply up an old Jeep road along a ridgeline — the first 1.5 miles are very steep, with bumps and pine trees along the way.
Camp