Lava Hot Springs is a small resort town in Southeastern Idaho.

Understand

This quaint resort town has grown up around naturally-occurring hot springs. First nations people have used the springs for healing for centuries. It was a common place shared by many nations. Settlers first started living here in the mid-1800s. Some buildings in the downtown date from the early 1900s.

The core of the town is small, laid out along the Portneuf River, which flows westwards from the Portneuf Range to the east, through town, and onwards to join the Snake River near Pocatello. US Highway 30 runs east-west to the north of the town and the river.

Get in

Most visitors will drive in along US 30.

Get around

The main part of the town is compact and easily walkable. To get out of town requires a private auto. There is no city bus service.

Do

Bathing in geologically-heated mineral springs has been an attraction here since before the settlers arrived. In addition to some private mineral baths in hotels, there are two public areas for hot springs and bathing.

• 1 Swimming pools and water park, 195 N. Center, ☏ +1 (208) 776-5221, toll-free: +1 (800) 423-8597. Mid-May–Labor Day: outdoor and indoor, daily 11AM-8PM; other seasons: indoor, Fri 5-8PM, Sat 12N–8PM, Sun 12N–5PM, Mon–Thu closed; outdoor closed. An outdoor Olympic Swimming Complex, open during the summer, has a lap pool, water slides, and diving platforms as high as 10m. An indoor water park, open year round, has a 25m lap pool, a kiddie swim play area, a 1m springboard, and a natural hot pool. Adult summer: Fri–Sun, holidays $10, Mon–Thu $7.50; winter $5. (updated Sep 2017)
• 2 Lava Hot Springs Mineral Pools, 430 East Main Street (4 blocks east of the swimming pool), ☏ +1-208-776-5221, toll-free: +1-800-423-8597, info@lava.idaho.gov. Daily 8AM–11PM (summer May 1–Sept 30); Sun–Thu 9AM–10PM, Fri–Sat 9AM–11PM (rest of year). Five pools with naturally hot mineral spring water, at temperatures from 102–110°F (39–43°C). Open year-round; snow on the pool deck is no problem! Adults Mon–Thu $6, Fri–Sun, holidays $10. (updated Sep 2017)

The Portneuf Rapids are right in town. Despite some natural heating, the river originates from snowmelt. Riding the rapids, and the fairly calm stretch below, is cool and fun on a hot summer day. There are good put-in points on the north side of the river, along Main Street to US 30. The Center Street bridge over the river is a good take-out point. Several vendors rent rafts for riding these rapids. Wet and happy youngsters carrying colorful rafts much larger than themselves are a common sight on the downtown streets in summer.

• 3 Portneuf River put-in spot (near the Riverwalk Café). Furthest upstream of the in-town put-in points for the Portneuf River rapids rafting. (updated Sep 2017)
• 4 Portneuf Rever take-out spot (just upstream of the Center Street bridge). Typical take-out point for rafting. (updated Sep 2017)
• 5 Portneuf Rapids Tube Rental (across the street from the Olympic Swimming Complex, in the grass), ☏ +1-208-251-1446, lavatuberental@gmail.com. Memorial Day–Labor Day, Mon–Sat 10AM–dark, Sun closed; closed other seasons. Rent tubes sized for 1, 2, 3, or 4 people at the take-out point. Then walk upstream, put in, and enjoy the rapids. Flotation vests included. Since they are right next to the take-out point, it is less work to return the tube when you are done. $3/hour, $11/day. (updated Sep 2017)
• 6 TPD Tubes, 356 E. Main Street, ☏ +1-801-510-0190, info@tpdtuberental.com. Memorial Day–Labor Day, daily 10AM-8:30PM; closed other seasons. Rent tubes sized for 1, 2, 3, or 4 people downtown. Then walk a short way upstream, put in, and enjoy the rapids. Flotation vests included. The website has a $1 off coupon valid Mon–Thurs. $5/hour, $15/day. (updated Sep 2017)

Eat

• 1 Sweet Stuff, 34 E Main, ☏ +1 208-776-5223. Sun–Thu 11AM-10PM, Fri–Sat 11AM-11PM. The perfect place on a warm summer's night: ice cream, plus all the colourful candy and lollipops the 8-year-old in you could want. (updated Sep 2017)
• 2 Portneuf Grille & Lounge, 255 Portneuf St, ☏ +1 208-776-5504, info@riversidehotspringsinn.com. Sun–Thu 5:30PM–9PM, Fri–Sat 5:30PM–10PM. The dining room, located in the hotel's old confectionery shop, offers Northwest-inspired steak and seafood, with some vegetarian and vegan dishes. The grille, in what used to be the carriage house, is a cozy place for a drink. (updated Sep 2017)

Sleep

• 1 Riverside Inn, 255 East Portneuf Street, ☏ +1 208 776 5504. Check-out: 11:00 AM. This quaint hotel, built in the early 1900s, has four private hot springs rooms in the basement. Free wifi. The Portneuf Grille & Lounge is also in the basement. Continental breakfast option. about $150/night. (updated Aug 2017)

Go next

Routes through Lava Hot Springs

Twin Falls ← Pocatello ←

W  E

→ Soda Springs → Rock Springs