Lava Hot Springs is a family-friendly resort town set on the Portneuf River and surrounded by rugged mountains. Soak your muscles in mineral-rich thermal pools, float along the river and visit a pioneer-era ghost town listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Things to do in Lava Hot Springs
Melt away stress and tension with a soak in the Lava Hot Springs Pools. The pools are fed by natural springs rich in minerals like sodium, iron, calcium and magnesium. The pools are open until late during the summer, which means you can soak in the mineral-rich water and enjoy a stargazing session.
The family-friendly Olympic Swimming Complex features an enormous outdoor pool. Kids can speed down the waterslides, play in the fountains and jump off the diving boards. Grassy lawns surround the pools and provide plenty of space to sunbathe, play and picnic.
Find cafes, restaurants and diners strung along Main Street. The lively thoroughfare is the heart and soul of Lava Hot Springs and is a great place to try Idaho specialties like huckleberry milkshakes and hash browns made from locally-grown potatoes.
Get your pulse racing on an inner tube float along the Portneuf River. Get ready to bump along the miniature rapids and enjoy the beautiful views. Activities like canyon ziplining and a ninja-inspired high ropes course will test your nerves.
Spend the day in the historic pioneer village of Chesterfield. Founded by Mormon settlers in the 1800s, Chesterfield is now considered a ghost town and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of the buildings have been beautifully restored and offer a glimpse of pioneer-era Idaho.
Getting around Lava Hot Springs
Lava Hot Springs is compact and easy to get around on foot, though you’ll need a car to visit surrounding sights and attractions. Lava Hot Springs is a 2.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City, four hours from Boise and 1.5 hours from Idaho Falls.