Land of the Yankee Fork State Park

Early inhabitants of the Round Valley acquired bison at the nearby Challis Bison Kill Site. Archaeological excavations in 1970 provided a glimpse into the early use of bison. Several glass beads, many stone tools and points dating to a wide variety of time frames, and the bones of about 30 bison were located during the excavation. Learn more about the history and use of the Challis Bison Kill Site along the short paved pathway at the Land of the Yankee Fork Interpretive Center. More information about the site is found inside the center. 

These two sister cities were once booming with people set on finding their futures in gold. Beginning in 1870, the area attracted gold seekers searching its streams and mountains. Within six years, the mining communities of Custer and Bonanza sprang to life. The 1880s brought rapid growth to the region as the Lucky Boy, General Custer and Montana mines produced abundant ore and the town of Custer reached a population of 600. But the gold eventually played out leaving Custer and Bonanza ghost towns by 1911. Today, restored buildings, the tales of the miners and secluded cemeteries are all that remain.

Near Custer and Bonanza is the Yankee Fork Gold Dredge, a 988-ton monster barge that searched the gravels of the Yankee Fork for gold as recently as 1952. During its operation it mined 6,330,000 cubic yards of stream gravel, leaving behind 5 miles of dredge tailings and recovering an estimated $1,037,322 in gold and silver at a cost of $1,076,100. Today, interpretive signs describe the beautiful Salmon River and the remnants of Sunbeam Dam, the only dam ever constructed on the Salmon. The dam was built in 1910 to generate electricity for nearby mines. The operation went bankrupt in 1911 and the dam was breached in 1934.

Challis Area History

The first inhabitants were Native Americans attracted by abundant hunting, fishing, and natural hot springs of this fertile valley. In 1873, gold was discovered. This discovery fueled a mining boom that spanned almost three decades. It brought activity to the Yankee Fork, dotting surrounding mountainsides with campsites and small towns. A few years later, the high level of mining/ranching activity in the area warranted the establishment of a supply base. 

Challis, located in the geographical center of the State of Idaho, is the Custer County Seat and an economic center for local mines, ranches, and farms. The headquarters of the Land of the Yankee Fork Idaho State Centennial Park is located here. Major agricultural products include livestock, hay, grain and seed potatoes. Mineral resources include molybdenum, gold, silver, plus 40 other minerals in sufficient quantity to be mined commercially.

Ghost mining towns such as Custer, Bonanza, and Bayhorse are within a hours’ drive on roads that climb a few thousand feet into the nearby Challis and Sawtooth Mountain Ranges. The Salmon River, long noted for salmon, steelhead, and trout, winds its way for two hundred miles entirely within the State of Idaho, flowing from Stanley to its confluence with the Snake River west of Grangeville.

Hot Pools

The day use for swimming is open to the public with a daily fee. At this time the daily fee for swimming is $10 per person and children 5 and under are free. Anyone that is under the age of 18 years must be accompanied by an adult and must be supervised the entire time. If you have any questions please call 208-879-4442.

For the safety of our customers, the pools will be closed at the first sight of lightning or sound of audible thunder and will remain closed for 20 minutes after the last lightning is observed or thunder heard.

The larger pool is 100 by 30 feet. The target temperature for the large pool is 96 in the summer and 98-100 in the winter. The smaller hot pool is 25 by 18 feet and is kept as close to 105 as possible. Both pools are naturally supplied with hot water. Challis Hot Springs Inc. adds cold water from the campground well to control the water temperatures. This is done manually which can cause temperatures to fluctuate. Enter the water cautiously.

View a larger, printable map: Challis Hot Springs Campground Map