South-East Idaho is resort country, anchored by the town of Lava Hot Springs on the Portneuf River, where odorless geothermal water fills the famous World Hot Springs pools and a string of inns and resorts along Main Street. Beyond town, Maple Grove offers a quieter riverside soak on the Bear River, Downata runs a family resort near Downey, and Bear River Hot Springs and Indian Springs round out the map near Preston and American Falls. Most South-East springs are developed, family-friendly and open year-round, which makes this the easiest region in Idaho for a first hot springs trip.
Indian Springs Resort & RV is a commercial hot springs resort and campground in American Falls, Idaho, centered on “The Nat,” a historic pool with slides and a jumping board, open seasonally from May 9 to September 22. Swim prices run $9.50–$11.50 for ages 12+, and tent, RV, and car camping are open year-round.
Riverside Hot Springs Inn & Spa is a historic 1914 adults-only inn in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, with three indoor private soaking tubs and one outdoor tub included with an overnight stay. Its 18-room hotel adds the Portneuf Grille & Lounge and a continental breakfast, at 255 East Portneuf Street.
Bear River Hot Springs (formerly Riverdale Resort) is a year-round natural mineral hot springs resort five miles north of Preston, Idaho, with four pools including a hot tub and a therapy pool. Lodging includes an 8-room hotel with in-room jetted Jacuzzi tubs, plus cabins, RV sites, and camping at 3696 N 1600 E, Preston.
Maple Grove Hot Springs sits on the Bear River at the north end of Oneida Narrows Reservoir near Thatcher, Idaho, with six natural lithium mineral pools running 100–107°F. Soaking is by reservation in 3-hour sessions — $18 weekday, $22 weekend — and the springs close Wednesdays.
Lava Hot Springs Inn & Spa is a historic inn in downtown Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, with 6 outdoor mineral pools ranging from 94 to 107°F plus a 44° cold plunge pool. Public soaking passes are $15 with pools open daily 7 AM to 11 PM, and lodging includes a full hot buffet breakfast.
Home Hotel Lava Hot Springs is a historic hotel in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, operating since 1918 and known for private in-room natural mineral hot springs in over-sized two-person baths in most rooms. Check-in is 3:00 PM and check-out is 11:00 AM, with a 24-hour front desk at 306 E Main St.
Downata Hot Springs is a family-run resort south of Downey in South-East Idaho, built around a natural hot spring flowing at about 109 degrees. Its 300,000-gallon recreation pool with slides, quieter hot soaking pools, restaurant, spa, and campground make it a full-service stop.
Epic Hot Springs (formerly Bear Lake Hot Springs) is a beachside soak on North Beach at Bear Lake near St. Charles, Idaho, with two shallow outdoor pools held at about 103°F and lake beach access included with admission. It is open daily in summer and closed for the winter season; rates are not published online, so call (208) 242-8589 before visiting.
The Lava Hotel & Spa (formerly Aura Soma Lava Hot Springs) in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, has a large hot springs soaking pool open daily from 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM for overnight guests. Lodging spans 5 rental homes — 3 with private natural mineral pools — and 2 motels, with a conference center, the on-site Lava Spa, and Liège waffles at Lava Waffle in the lobby.
