Hot springs for spring break

Regular readers will recognize a familiar theme in this

week’s article — the power of hot water. There is nothing

more soothing or relaxing than a soak in one of Mother

Nature’s bathtubs. Hot springs in Idaho are spread far and

wide and Spring Break provides a great opportunity to explore these

natural wonders.

Lava Hot Springs is located on the Portneuf River 150 miles north

of Salt Lake and is the largest commercially developed hot springs

in the state, using about 2.5 million gallons of water per day. The

Shoshone Indians deeded the springs to the federal government in

1902 and in 1911 they passed into state control.

The state operates two wonderful facilities at Lava Hot Springs,

the first being a Roman style soaking pool with sunken gardens. The

water temperature in these pools at the low end is about 107

degrees. These pools are not designed for horseplay or swimming but

for the simple joy of soaking. The sunken gardens that surround the

pool are gorgeous in the spring and summer and add to the relaxing

effect of the waters.

The second state facility is an Olympic-size pool at the west end

of town. The pool’s temperature is a great deal lower, about

80 degrees. This pool has high and low dives as well as other

aquatic equipment and is paradise for children and adults

alike.

The city itself is adorable with a main street about eight blocks

long full of historic hotels with hot tubs and swimming pools, and

a variety of shopping and dining establishments. There are also a

variety of camping and RV facilities available. The location, the

people and the facilities make this a great destination spot.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity, go see for yourself the

fun to be had there.

Another great commercial hot springs location can be found even

closer to home in the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway area. Here a

visitor can find two great hot springs facilities, Sligars Thousand

Springs Resort and Miracle Hot Springs. Sligars is a huge indoor

facility, the pool is immense and the water temperature is between

90-96 degrees. In addition to the main pool there are 17 private

indoor hydro jet pools large enough for you and seven of your

closest friends.

Miracle Hot Springs has two outdoor pools and 19 roofless — but

enclosed — private soaking pools. The temperatures in the pools

range from 100-110 degrees and are handicap accessible. All the

buildings at Miracle are geothermaly heated.

Both Sligars and Miracle offer camping on site and other

accommodations can be found in the town of Hagerman. Again, the

wonderful setting here makes this a very worthwhile trip. The

Thousand Springs area is rich in geology, beauty and history. Its

location, just one and a half hours from Boise, makes it easily

accessible to everyone.

If you are interested in peace, quiet and a lack of crowds, then

you should visit Twin Springs Resort. Twin Springs Resort is

located on the Middle Fork of the Boise River just beyond Arrowrock

Dam. This resort was a historical stop for miners on their way to

Atlanta and has since served as a school, a bar and home to many

residents.

Today the resort features four different private cabins equipped

for visitors. Three of the cabins have two rooms with private hot

tubs on the deck and the third is a three bedroom also, equipped

with a private hot tub. The cabins are lovely.

The rustic and historic main building houses artifacts from the

mining era and a bar. Remnants of mines and sluices can still be

found on the hillsides surrounding the resort. The cabins are

adjacent to the Boise River and offer excellent fishing.

Spring in the mountains is spectacular, as they come alive with

green, growing things and the wildlife abounds. Twin Springs resort

is the closest to BSU, only about 40 miles away. But, don’t

let the mileage fool you, the road to Atlanta is all gravel and

often rough, so allow yourself plenty of travel time.

With over 200 hot springs in Idaho, the choices available to you

are endless. You can go to a commercially developed site or choose

a very secluded mountain location. Many hot springs are with-in

just a few hours of Boise and all of them warrant a visit.

Spring Break is a time to drop your worries and responsibilities

and hot springs are a great way of forgetting it all. As the warm

water washes over you, you will feel released. Take advantage of

the great spring weather and don your suit for the first time this

year. All of the facilities mentioned in this article require

reservations in advance; please see the important information

listed below.

Lava Hot Springs Foundation

1-800-423-8597 or

target=”_new”> www.lavahotsprings.org

Miracle Hot Springs

208-543-6002

Sligars Thousand Springs Resort

208-837-4987

Twin Springs Resort

208-861-1226 or

target=”_new”>www.twinspringsidaho.com

For wild hot springs see

www.soak.com

Michelle Sells
Outdoors Columnist

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