Overview
Lava Hot Springs is a small resort town in Southeastern Idaho. This quaint resort town has grown up around naturally-occurring hot springs.
6 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lava Hot Springs
Swimming pools and water park
An outdoor Olympic Swimming Complex, open during the summer, has a lap pool, water slides, and diving platforms as high as 10 m. An indoor water park, open year round, has a 25-m lap pool, a kiddie swim play area, a 1-m …
Lava Hot Springs Mineral Pools
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!
Portneuf River put-in spot
Furthest upstream of the in-town put-in points for the Portneuf River rapids rafting.
Portneuf Rever take-out spot
Typical take-out point for rafting.
Portneuf Rapids Tube Rental
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 …
TPD Tubes
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 M–Th.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 7°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Dec and Jan. (climate data from nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PIH Pocatello Regional Airport, Pocatello — 36 mi away. Directions
- IDA Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho Falls — 62 mi away. Directions
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City — 126 mi away (major hub). Directions
Most visitors will drive in along US 30.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Swimming pools and water park, Portneuf Rapids Tube Rental
- Lunch Sweet Stuff
- Afternoon Portneuf Rever take-out spot
- Dinner Portneuf Grille & Lounge
Day 2
- Morning Lava Hot Springs Mineral Pools, TPD Tubes
- Afternoon Portneuf River put-in spot
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Native American people have used the springs for healing for centuries. It was a common place shared by many nations. Settlers 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.
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.
Do Portneuf River put-in spot
Furthest upstream of the in-town put-in points for the Portneuf River rapids rafting.
Eat
Eat Sweet Stuff
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.
Eat Portneuf Grille & Lounge
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.
Sleep
Nearby
Soda Springs
City / town · 11 listings · 21 mi away
Pocatello
City / town · 9 listings · 28 mi away
Blackfoot
City / town · 4 listings · 43 mi away
Shelley
City / town · 53 mi away
Afton
City / town · 3 listings · 56 mi away
Garden City
City / town · 5 listings · 56 mi away
Idaho Falls
City / town · 22 listings · 59 mi away
Logan
City / town · 25 listings · 62 mi away
My experience
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