Lava Hot Springs, Idaho: A Small Hot Springs Town

Lava Hot Springs History

The healing waters here have a long story. The Shoshone-Bannock people called this land Poha-Ba, meaning "Land of Healing Waters." They came here to rest and heal for centuries before settlers arrived.

The area has long been part of the traditional lands of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

Later, the U.S. government acquired the springs and the surrounding land. Then, in 1902, the land was transferred to the State of Idaho, which created the Lava Hot Springs Foundation to manage and develop the springs.

The town grew quickly after that, with hotels and bathhouses appearing by 1914.

The mineral-rich water rises from a deep underground aquifer at a natural temperature of about 112°F (44°C). Some hotels even tap their own wells, with water reaching up to 145°F (63°C) before being piped into pools.

The water is free of strong sulfur odor and contains natural silica, magnesium, and other trace minerals. In some areas, it is also suitable for drinking.

Lava Hot Springs has more than a dozen places to stay, from historic inns to modern boutique hotels. Some offer day-use soaking, while others reserve their pools for overnight guests only. Have you decided where to stay yet? Here is a quick look at the top spots.

Lava Hotel & Spa

A modern boutique hotel on Main Street with 19 newly renovated rooms, plus vacation homes and tiny houses.

Guests get exclusive access to a private outdoor mineral pool kept at 102–106°F. The hotel also serves warm Belgian waffles in the lobby.

Overnight guests only.

Lava Hotel and Spa, Idaho – Modern Rooms and Exclusive Hot Springs Soaking

The Home Hotel Lava Hot Springs

Built in 1918, this is one of the town's original landmarks.

The hotel has 27 rooms, and 24 of them feature private in-room hot tubs with adjustable temperatures.

Soaking is for overnight guests only.

Home Hotel Lava Hot Springs – Cozy Rooms and Private Soaking in Idaho

Lava Hot Springs Inn

A historic inn built in the early 1920s as a sanitarium and later restored in the late 1980s.

It has multiple soaking pools ranging from 94°F to 107°F, plus a year-round 44°F cold plunge.

Day-use pool passes are available at the front desk.

Lava Hot Springs Inn and Spa – Historic Idaho Soaking Spot

Lava Hot Springs World Famous Hot Pools

This is a centerpiece of the town and the main attraction. Run by the Lava Hot Springs Foundation, this site features 5 outdoor soaking pools with temperatures from 102°F to 112°F, plus a terraced children's pool.

The pools have natural rock and gravel bottoms, and a built-in snow-melt system makes winter soaking safe.

Day-use fees apply.

Lava Hot Springs World Famous Hot Pools, Idaho – Five Pools and Sunken Gardens

Lava Hot Springs Olympic Swimming Complex

A family-friendly water park with a 50-meter Olympic pool, water slides, and a diving tower with platforms at 5, 7, and 10 meters.

The indoor aquatic center includes a six-lane, 25-yard pool, a kiddie pool, and an AquaClimb wall.

Open year-round with day-use fees.

Lava Hot Springs Water Park – Swim, Slide & Soak at the Olympic Complex in Idaho

The Portneuf River runs right through town, and tubing is the town's most popular summer activity. You can also fish, kayak, or float for hours.

For a quiet break, walk through the Sunken Gardens, a free garden with rock formations and native plants. Then stroll Main Street for ice cream, coffee, or local shops.

Want to explore further? Drive 30 minutes to Soda Springs to see the only man-made geyser in the world, which erupts every hour. Pocatello, Inkom, McCammon, and Bancroft are also short drives away.

Lava Hot Springs is a great place to relax if you are driving toward Yellowstone National Park, especially when heading to the South or West entrances. It is a convenient stop along the route where you can soak and stretch your legs before continuing your road trip.