Are there any decent hot springs in Idaho? (Boise, Pocatello: camp, live)
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Idaho is the king of hot springs, Idaho has the most usable number of springs of any state, we are the state other states are measured against when comparing hot springs.
This being said you just need to research the information online or get a book. The info is out there and easily accessible. Most people are not going to want to suggest a hot springs unless they know you and you have to respect nature.
You have me thinking of hot springing now, I was just at one last weekend with a friend and it was marvelous. I photograph many hot springs around the state but they are secret photos
Down here in S. Idaho, there are a lot of hot springs.
Close to Idaho Falls is Heise Hot Springs, with 2 pools, one for general use and the other a complex of smaller hot pools.
The sweetest hot water in the West is found at Lava Hot Springs, which is southeast of Pocatello. Lava has it's own little town, and the pool complex features one Olympic sized pool with all the high dives.
There are many others as well- I only commented on the 2 I know best. The area surrounding W. Yellowstone, about 100 mi. north of Idaho Falls and just over the Montana border has numerous hot pots that are not all in Park territory. If you can find them, you can use them, but to be safe, a thermometer is always needed.
The same goes with hot springs along the Salmon river in the Challis-Clayton area. Some have been built up a little by hot-potters, and some just empty into the river undeveloped. Challis as a great hot pool that is directly fed by a good hot spring.
Glad you spoke up, banjomike.
I was going to say Lava Hot Springs, too! A great little frendly town grown up around the springs, and the springs themselves are awesome. Three seperate 'pools', each one hotter than the next. After a long day of skiing, relaxing in these pools was the best. It was wonderful to be soaking in the hot mineral water, with the snow on the sides of the springs, and realize that our hair was freezing with ice while we were warm! Great little changing rooms and everything you need. The minerals are highly touted there as having a natural calming effect as well.
My brother lives in Soda Springs, just up the road from Lava - their hot spring that erupts regularly was (so the town legend goes) discovered by accident when a local fella was trying to dig a swimming pool...
Lava is awesome. All of Idaho, mainly central and southern, has a lot of commercial hot springs where the geothermal water is pumped into the man made pools.
If you are looking for the wild and non commercial hot springs then Boise is the best base camp in the state to set out and explore because there are dozens of natural springs along the Boise and Payette river systems within a 45 minute drive of the city and up to a couple hours drive. The Boise and Payette National Forests are steaming with springs. The Stanley and Sun Valley areas also have many wild hot springs to relax in. There are even hot springs in the desert area near the Snake River south of Boise.
Red River Hot Springs is really nice. They got new owners who cleaned up the messes left from previous owners, remodeled the whole thing, tore out the old pool liner and replaced it, added new showers, etc. And they're really VERY nice.
The water in the main pool feels like a warm bath. The water feels very heavy, but it is so lovely when it's sprinkling cold rain or snowing. The hot tub (water pumped directly from the springs) is much more like a hot bath. Very relaxing. My joints always feel so much better after a visit.
I just visited Lava Hot Springs in late January. Nice little town and such a pleasant, relaxing experience to soak in the hot mineral water. It's important to stay hydrated though. As others have mentioned, the contrast between the warm water and cold air is invigorating.
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Rocky Canyon Hot Springs. ...
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Burgdorf Hot Springs.
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