1000 Springs Resort

What to expect

1000 Springs Resort is a working family swim center, not a spa. It sits on a bench right beside the Snake River, a few miles south of Hagerman, in the stretch of canyon where spring water pours out of the basalt walls across the river. That outflow is the Thousand Springs that give the area its name, and you can see some of it from the resort grounds.

The main attraction is a big covered pool filled with geothermal water. It is set up for swimming and play: a tube slide, diving boards, a floating log and a basketball hoop. A shallow kiddie area about 2 feet deep sits in one corner behind a barrier. Lifeguards are on duty whenever the pool is open, which is part of why local families have used the place for generations.

The water starts out much hotter than anyone could swim in. One hot springs directory puts the source at about 168°F76°C, cooled and mixed before it goes into the pool, with the main pool held at around 94°F34°C. That is warm for swimming but not a hot soak. The pool water is chlorinated and has no sulfur smell.

If you want heat, rent one of the 15 private hot tub rooms. Each is a closed room with its own tub, and you control the temperature. Visit Southern Idaho says each room holds a group of up to eight. These are the rooms people come back for in winter.

Because the resort is on the river, some visitors take a cold plunge in the Snake and then go back to the hot water. If you do, rinse off in the locker room before you get back into the pool.

Getting there

The resort is at 18735 US Highway 30, about 5 miles south of Hagerman, on the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway.

• From Hagerman: Drive south on US-30. The resort is on the river side of the highway, down near the water.
• From Twin Falls: Head west on US-30 through Filer and Buhl, then follow the byway north along the canyon toward Hagerman. The resort comes before Hagerman on this route.
• From Boise: Take I-84 east and leave the interstate for Hagerman and US-30, then continue south through town.

The highway is paved the whole way and any car will do. There is parking on site, and the pool building is a short walk from the lot.

When to go

The resort is open year-round, and winter is when it makes the most sense. The covered pool is the main reason to choose it over the open-air pools elsewhere in the valley on a cold, windy day. Snow on the canyon rim and steam off the private tubs make a good winter afternoon.

Summer brings families, swim groups and campers, and weekends get busy. Weekdays are calmer. Remember that the pool is closed on Mondays.

Spring and fall are a good middle ground. The river is quieter, the campground has space, and you can pair a swim with paddling or a look at the springs across the water.

Prices and booking

The resort does not publish a full price list online, and older listings are out of date, so treat any number you see on third-party sites with caution. What is clear:

• Main pool: A day-use fee is paid at the desk.
• Private hot tubs: Rented by the hour, priced separately from the pool. Older listings give a per-person hourly rate, with jetted tubs costing a little more than standard ones.
• Camping: Visit Southern Idaho lists RV sites at $50 a night including water, sewer and electric, and tent sites at $25 to $40 a night with fire pits and access to the boat docks.
• Cabins: Simple cabins are available. Rates are not published, so ask when you call.

Call 208-837-4987 for current prices and to check whether a private tub room is free before you arrive.

Rules and etiquette

• Swimsuits are required in the pool and every shared area. They are optional inside the private hot tub rooms.
• Kids are welcome, with lifeguards on duty and a shallow play area. Watch younger children closely around the diving boards and slide.
• Pets are allowed on the grounds but not in the water.
• Shower first, especially if you have been in the river.

Facilities

The resort has locker rooms and a snack bar, a campground with RV hookups and tent sites, a few riverside cabins, and a boat ramp and dock on the Snake River. Kayaking, paddle boarding, boating and fishing are all allowed from the property. More food options are in Hagerman, a short drive north.

Where to stay nearby

• On site: The resort’s own campground and cabins are the simplest choice, with views across the river toward Thousand Springs State Park, Ritter Island and Lemon Falls.
• 1,000 Springs Riverhouse: A small bed and breakfast across from the resort with three rooms that look over the Snake River.
• Hagerman: The Hagerman Valley Inn and Billingsley Creek Lodge are both a few minutes north. Hagerman also has the nearest restaurants, including the Snake River Grill.
• Twin Falls: The closest city with chain hotels and full services, roughly 45 minutes away.

Safety notes

• Private tub temperature: You set the heat in the private rooms, so it is easy to overdo it. Start lower than you think and keep soaks short, especially with children or after drinking.
• River plunges: The Snake River runs cold and has real current. Stay close to shore and do not go in alone.
• Wet floors: Pool decks and locker rooms are slick. Walk, do not run.
• Diving: Use the boards only where lifeguards allow it, and never dive into the shallow end.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Hagerman Valley has several more geothermal pools within a short drive. Miracle Hot Springs near Buhl has outdoor pools and private soaking pools. Banbury Hot Springs, close by on the same byway, has been closed for repairs, so check before you go.

Across the river, Ritter Island in Thousand Springs State Park has a picnic area and close views of the springs pouring from the canyon wall.