The hot springs near Lava Hot Springs are a no-brainer when looking for a place to relax your bones in the Gem State. Some of Idaho’s most popular and world-famous waters are located close to town, making this area a great soaking and swimming destination.
If you are staying in the city of Lava Hot Springs, a few are within walking distance of downtown. After you’ve experienced those and are thirsty for more places to take a dip, check out the venues a few miles out. They are all an hour or less away and suitable for day trips or continuing a road trip in the same area.
Organized by distance, here are the closest hot springs spots to Lava Hot Springs, ID:
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Riverside Hot Springs Inn – 0.1 miles | 1 minute
Located right in the heart of downtown Lava Hot Springs, the Riverside Hot Springs Inn is a boutique hotel, spa, and restaurant exclusive to adults. There are 18 thoughtfully decorated and comfortable guest rooms, 24-hour staff, and wellness services like massage therapy.
The property is located near spots that offer lots of recreation like hiking, golf, skiing, tubing on the Portneuf River, and fishing. However, the highlight of the hotel is its fantastic mineral waters and several ways to enjoy them.
There are three private bathing rooms and an old-fashioned soaking barrel at the hotel spa. All of the tubs have flow-through waters, allowing them to remain chemical-free. Guests that want to use the private thermal baths must make reservations ahead of time and are given 30-minute sessions to allow time for others.
All of the wet areas are maintained at 102-106℉, cooled down from 112℉ to make them more comfortable.
Many accommodations (affiliate link) include a complimentary 30-minute private soak and a voucher to use in the Cafe and A’more. Each room description clarifies which perks are available for those selections.
- 255 East Portneuf Street, Main St, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246 | 208-776-5504
- Check prices, availability or book Riverside Hot Springs Inn
Lava Hot Springs Inn – 0.1 miles | 1 minute
The Lava Hot Springs Inn is situated downtown and is open for day-use soaking or staying overnight on the property. The hotel has standard rooms, jacuzzi rooms, vacation rentals, an apartment-style lodge, and a cottage available for booking. All lodging (affiliate link) prices include Wi-Fi, use of the mineral waters, and breakfast.
There are five outdoor thermal pools at the inn with temperatures between 94-107℉, a 44℉ cold plunge, and a 20′ x 80′ x 4′ water therapy pool. These cement-bottomed soaking and swimming areas are surrounded by trees and grass, resembling a serene natural environment. Guests can use the water from 7 am to 11 pm.
The on-site spa also offers a variety of massages, reflexology treatments, and aquatic bodywork.
- 1 Center St, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246 | 208-776-5830
- Check prices, availability or book Lava Hot Springs Inn
Home Hotel – 0.2 miles | 1 minute
Located on Main Street in downtown Lava Hot Springs, the Home Hotel is a cozy place to stay with classic rooms and family rooms for multiple people. Most of the 26 rooms at the property are set up with a private hot springs tub, but they all have showers, Wi-Fi, and Serta Perfect Sleeper mattresses.
Other hotel amenities include complimentary self-parking, barbeque grills, toiletries, hair dryers, and flatscreen TVs with cable channels.
Guests like staying at the Home Hotel (affiliate link) for comfort but also convenience. The property is just a short two-minute walk to The World Famous Hot Pools in Lava Hot Springs, which is open 363 days a year. Aside from soaking, visitors to town also enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, tubing, and the Lava Zipline across town.
- 306 E Main St, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246 | 208-776-5050
- Check prices, availability or book Home Hotel
Lava Hot Springs Hot Pools – 0.2 miles | 1 minute
These hot springs are the first of two facilities owned by the State Foundation and located just four blocks from the Olympic swimming complex. Featuring five gravel-bottom outdoor pools, visitors can come to soak in these cushy waters year-round.
The pools at Lava Hot Springs keep a temperature between 102-112℉ and are odorless despite bubbling right out of the Earth. There are snowmelt decks and canopies for guests traveling in the winter to keep the pools useable regardless of the weather.
Swimsuits are required but can be rented on-site if needed. Towels and lockers are also available for a small fee. Admission can be purchased at a daily rate or on a value pass with a time frame for multi-visit use. As of March 2022, bringing outside food and drink into the pool area is prohibited, but people are welcome to bring an empty water bottle to refill during their stay.
Lava Hot Springs Olympic Pool – 0.3 miles | 1 minute
The Lava Hot Springs Olympic Swimming Complex has the same owners as the Hot Pools facility just four blocks away. Boasting a large, outdoor, and seasonal swimming pool with slides, this is a great place to cool off during the summer with 87-90℉ water.
There’s also a diving tower, but a waiver has to be signed before using it. The depth of the outdoor pool starts at 2′ and goes to 17′ at the other end, making it easy for small kids and adults to enjoy together.
At the complex is also a 25-yard indoor pool with six lap lanes and 85℉ water open all year long. Amenities like a rock climbing wall and kids’ area are inside the facility, and a party room can be rented out for a birthday or other celebrations.
Scuba diving is not allowed in the pools during regular hours, but people who want to use their gear here can rent the pool too. Admission to the swimming pools can be purchased daily, season pass, or even a combo ticket with the nearby hot pools facility.
Downata Hot Springs – 28 miles | 30 minutes
Set just four miles south of Downey, this century-old hot springs ranch is a fun destination for the whole family. Whether you’re going for just the day or overnight, Downata Hot Springs has something for everyone.
Facilities include their water areas, picnic tables, volleyball court, campsites, seasonal tubing hills, ATV trails, and more. The venue is open all year long, making each season a new experience.
The venue’s highlight is the hot springs pools, which now light up at night and have water jets. There’s also an outdoor seasonal swimming pool with slides and a water playground for younger visitors.
When it’s time to eat, bring your own food and grill in the picnic facility or dine at the PoolSide Restaurant (opening in the fall) or Snack Bar (open in summer). Guests that want to cook but leave the meat at home can purchase cuts from the on-site local beef supplier.
Visitors that plan to stay that night can choose tent camping, RV camping, or booking one of their TeePees, yurts, cabins, houses, or an iconic Conestogo Wagon. Some of these accommodations are seasonal, and the campground doesn’t have water from mid-October until April.
Maple Grove Hot Springs – 40 miles | 50 minutes
Located in Thatcher, Maple Grove Hot Springs is a 45-acre geothermal resort that can be used as a daily or nightly guest. Visitors who want to come for just a few hours must make a reservation by phone or online and pay an entrance fee. People who live in the area can purchase a Wellness Warrior pass that saves some money for multiple visits.
Overnight guests can book a night or two in a fully furnished yurt, small cabin, one of three Forest Canvas’, or one of three wooded campsites with 24-hour access to the pools.
Three hot springs pools made of stone maintain temperatures between 100-107℉. Set right on the riverfront, guests can relax and rejuvenate while admiring the sounds of nature and animals that might pass through. The fourth pool on the property is a larger recreation pool that is kept at 95-100℉ and perfect for floating in.
Swimwear must be worn everywhere in the pools and lodging areas.
Bear River Hot Springs – 53 miles | 50 minutes
Also known as Riverdale Hot Springs, Bear River is a day-use and overnight resort in the town of Preston. The property has many types of accommodations (affiliate link), which include standard hotel rooms, camping sites, and cabins for guests that decide to stay a while.
Visitors that opt to come just for the day can purchase one-time admission tickets or annual passes, which are good for unlimited soaks.
Bear River Hot Springs features four pools on its property, one of which is the seasonal Junior Olympic pool, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Adjacent to the pool is a waterslide and landing pool available during the same timeframe.
The mineral-rich hot tub is open year-round and kept at a steamy 105℉ and is not ideal for small kids. Their final pool is the Peanut Pool, a large 3.5-foot deep structure held at 85-95℉ and perfect for healing injuries or relaxing.
- 3696 N 1600 E, Preston, ID 83263 | 208-852-0266
- Check prices, availability or book Bear River Hot Springs
Indian Springs Resort & RV – 65 miles | 1 hour
Indian Springs Resort & RV in American Falls is a family-centric hot springs resort with a campground and a seasonal thermal pool. While most visitors come between May and September, when all the facilities are open, the resort does offer a few winter reservations.
The naturally heated pool is kept at about 90℉ and charges a separate admission for those staying at one of the campsites or RV sites. For those staying for more than just a night or two, seasonal pool passes can be purchased.
Swim attire is required, but if you leave your suit at home, you can rent one from the facility. Picnic tables and pavilions can also be rented in addition to paying for the nightly campground rate. Other nearby attractions include the Massacre Rocks State Park and the American Falls 9-hole Golf Course, perfect for exploring before or after your hot springs soak.
Whether you’re just passing through or intentionally traveling to Lava Hot Springs for some time in these cozy mineral waters, this list will undoubtedly satisfy you. There’s something to do in town every season, and hot springs water is never out of style.