Idaho Hot Springs

Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs is a family-friendly vacation village with guest rooms and rental homes and a hot springs pool at the center of the retreat. Located alongside the Portneuf River, the hot springs pool rests beneath giant evergreen trees and offers a relaxing and tranquil experience with waters ranging between 102°F and 105°F. Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs also has beautifully manicured gardens and grounds, an intriguing labyrinth, and a lovely riverfront meadow in which guests can relax. Accommodation is available at Ash Lodge in downtown Lava Hot Springs, which is within walking distance to all of Lava's main attractions and several vacation homes that can be rented for various periods of time.

196 E, Main St, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246, Phone: 208-776-5800

Burgdorf Hot Springs is a rustic resort tucked away in the mountains of Idaho that features several mineral pools with temperatures ranging between 105°F and 113°F. Open to the public daily, 365 days a year, the hot pools are located north of McCall and are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Surrounded by pristine forests and rolling meadows, the hots springs consists of two pools – a huge warm water pool and small “hot pot” – and there are also a few rustic cabins available for rent. The springs are accessible by cars or off-road vehicles during the warmer months and snowmobile and tracked UTV in the snow-bound winter months.

404 French Creek, McCall, ID 83638, Phone: 208-636-3036

Located in the Sawtooth National Forest near Stanley, the Elkhorn Boat Box Hot Springs are unusual and unique hot springs because when the natural springs submerge during the spring run-off, the warm water can still be enjoyed in a wooden soaking box tub that is usable all year long. The riverside hot tub must be filled with water and the temperature adjusted by bringing cooler water in with a bucket, and it comes with sunken seating for additional comfort. When the river is low, there are one or two seasonal pools that have scalding hot 136°F water that is cooled by the river water, making for a relaxing spot. The pools are near the eastern Sawtooth trailheads and are easily accessed by hiking.

Sawtooth National Forest: Idaho 75, Stanley, ID 83278

Affordable Hot Springs

Nestled in the Smoky Mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest, Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs are natural hot springs located 11 miles west of Ketchum. Also known as Warfield Hot Springs, Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs are thermally heated mineral pools with temperatures of up to 110°F filled with water from three different springs. One of the pools is situated on the roadside of Warm Springs Creek, while the other two are on the other side of Warm Springs Creek and can be accessed by wading across the creek. The Frenchman’s Bend Hot Springs are set in the heart of the pristine Sawtooth National Forest and are surrounded by dense forests and a network of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Sawtooth National Forest: Idaho 75, Stanley, ID 83278

Surrounded by the beautiful foothills of the North Fork Range in the small town of Donnelly, Gold Fork Hot Springs features hot and cold mineral-rich pools that are open to the public year round. Connected by geothermally heated sidewalks, the springs feed six different pools formed by natural rock formations in a flow-through system with varying temperatures, ranging between 85°F and 110°F. Some of the pools have hydrotherapy jets to offer additional relaxation, and the facility provides suits and towels for rental as well as free lockers and heated changing rooms.

1026 Gold Fork Rd, Donnelly, ID 83615, Phone: 208-890-8730

Set along Warm Spring Creek in the Salmon-Challis National Forest about 20 miles south of Salmon, the Goldbug Hot Springs feature six waterfall-fed pools with varying temperatures up to 113°F. The natural mineral pools are dammed by rocks and boulders, have sandy or gravel floors, and flow into the Salmon River. Open year round and free to the public, the Goldbug Hot Springs can be accessed by vehicle from a well-maintained dirt road or by hiking along the trail, which features sturdy bridges and a few stairs. There are numerous primitive campgrounds along the path, and there is a campground above the highest pool along Warm Spring Creek.

Salmon, ID 83467

Romantic Hot Springs

Nestled on the South Fork of the Payette River, Kirkham Hot Springs is a legendary hot spot that is one of many along the Ponderosa Pine Scenic Byway. Situated below a highway campground, a small wooden staircase leads down to the hot springs and geothermal soaking pools of varying temperatures. The pool also features small steaming waterfalls where hot water pours over the cliff into pools below and feels like a natural shower. There is a campground with primitive campsites near the falls as well as vault toilets, and the campground and mineral pools can be reached by driving or hiking in the summer or snow-hiking or snowmobiling in the winter.

7658 ID-21, Lowman, ID 83637

Named for its numerous hot springs that are famous for bathing, swimming, tubing, and canoeing, Lava Hot Springs is a city in Bannock County. Located on the old route of the California and Oregon Trails in the mountainous valley of the Portneuf River, Lava Hot Springs features several aquatic and water parks with pools filled from geothermal hot springs boasting temperatures ranging from 102°F to 112°F.

An indoor aquatic center has a six-lane 25-yard pool as well as an aqua climbing wall, a hot pool with a diving board, and the Portneuf Kiddie Cove, while the outdoor complex has an Olympic-size swimming pool, diving platforms, water slides, and an indoor pool.

430 East Main, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246, Phone: 208-776-5221

Set along the banks of the Bear River in the scenic Oneida Narrows Canyon at the north end of Oneida Narrows Reservoir, Maple Grove Hot Springs features three large soaking tubs and one large therapy pool along with a 14-foot rock and mortar tub with a rock bench. The Southern Idaho retreat also offers a variety of other amenities, including overnight camping and lodging in two yurts, a fully equipped kitchen, restrooms with changing room, hot showers, and toilets, small boating facilities, and a snack bar. Nearby attractions range from the Caribou-Targhee National Forest and the Oneida Reservoir to Bear River and the cities of Montpelier and Preston.

11386 Oneida Narrows Rd, Thatcher, ID 83283, Phone: 208-851-2126