Lava Hot Springs World Famous Hot Pools

What to expect

The Hot Pools are the reason the town of Lava Hot Springs exists. They sit at the east end of Main Street in a narrow stretch of the Portneuf River valley in southeast Idaho, at about 5,000 feet. This is a public soaking facility, not a resort: five outdoor pools, changing rooms, a gift shop and a big deck, run by the Lava Hot Springs Foundation, a self-funded agency of the State of Idaho.

The water is the selling point. It comes straight from natural springs under the site and is not heated, cooled or treated with chemicals. More than 2.5 million gallons flow through every 24 hours before being let out into the Portneuf River. There is no sulfur, so there is no rotten-egg smell. The water is slightly acidic, with a published pH of about 5.2, and carries mostly bicarbonate, sodium, chloride and calcium.

The five pools have gravel or rock bottoms and step down in temperature from about 112°F to 102°F44°C to 39°C. Most people start in a cooler pool, then work their way up to the hottest one for a short stint. The hottest pool was rebuilt recently, with seating all the way round and a new ADA-compliant ramp. The other pools stayed open while it was under construction. There is no cold plunge yet, though the Foundation says one is being planned. For now, a cold shower spout near the coolest pool does that job.

The deck has a snowmelt system, so it stays clear in winter, and canopies give shade or rain cover. Above the springs, the Sunken Gardens are free and open to the public.

History

The springs and surrounding land were deeded to the State of Idaho in 1902 for use as a health and recreation site. The area became a state park in 1913, and the state built a natatorium here in 1918. Management passed to the newly formed Lava Hot Springs Foundation in 1967, and the Foundation, appointed by the governor, still runs the pools. It pays for itself from ticket sales and paid for the recent hot pool rebuild from savings, without raising prices.

Getting there

Lava Hot Springs is on US Highway 30, about 11 miles east of Interstate 15. The Hot Pools are at 430 East Main Street.

• From Pocatello: Drive south on I-15 to the McCammon exit, then east on US-30 to Lava Hot Springs. Allow about 40 minutes.
• From Salt Lake City: Drive north on I-15 to McCammon, then east on US-30. The Foundation puts the trip at about 2 hours.
• From Yellowstone: The Foundation puts the drive at about 3 hours.

All roads are paved and the town is compact. The Olympic Swimming Complex and Indoor Aquatic Center, run by the same Foundation, is four blocks west at 195 North Center Street. Semi-trucks are not allowed in the lots, and overnight parking for trailers and motorhomes is banned in town.

When to go

The Hot Pools are open 363 days a year. They close only on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, and close early at 6pm on Christmas Eve. Weather rarely closes them, though staff clear the pools when lightning is close.

Summer is the busy season. The water park is open, people float the Portneuf on rented tubes, and the Hot Pools fill up, especially on Friday to Sunday afternoons, when prices are higher too. Winter is the best time to soak. Cold air over 110°F43°C water feels right, the deck stays snow-free, and the pools are open until 10pm or 11pm. Weekday mornings are the quietest at any time of year.

Prices and booking

Rates below are from the Foundation’s page, revised May 12, 2026. Cash and major cards are accepted.

Age	Monday to Thursday	Friday to Sunday and holidays
2 and under	$3.00	$3.00
3 to 11	$7.50	$10.00
12 to 59	$8.00	$12.00
60 and up	$7.50	$10.00

• Combo pass (one Hot Pools visit plus a full day at the swimming pools, age 3 and up): $18 weekdays and $22 weekends in summer, $12 and $16 in winter. Winter combos are sold only while the indoor pool is open, mid-September to mid-May.
• Wednesday family day: $26 for up to four family members, plus $6.50 for each extra person, up to six. Not offered on major holidays.
• Punch cards: Buy ten visits and get the eleventh free.
• Season passes: $185 for a three-month individual pass, $325 for a three-month family pass, $525 for an annual pass.
• Rentals: Swimsuits and towels are $3 each plus a $5 refundable deposit. Lockers are coin-operated and cost 50 cents to $1.

No reservations are needed. You can buy passes online in advance, but there are no refunds, including for weather.

Rules and etiquette

• Swimwear required. Normal swimsuits or non-street clothes like gym shorts or a dark T-shirt are fine. Thongs and G-strings are not.
• No alcohol, zero tolerance. Town also has an open container law that the sheriff enforces on the streets.
• No outside food or drink, apart from a sealed or empty water bottle for the fill station. Bags may be checked.
• No smoking or vaping on or near the pools, and you cannot leave to smoke and come back in.
• No pets. Only certified service dogs are allowed, and they stay out of the water.
• Children 11 and under must be with an adult. Children under 3 need a swim diaper.
• Floats: Small kids’ life jackets, armbands and rings are fine. Big tubes, loungers, noodles and balls are not.

Where to stay nearby

There is no lodging at the pools, but the town has more than 500 rooms, campsites, cabins and homes, all independently run. The Lava Hotel, formerly Aura Soma Lava, is a few blocks west on Main Street and has its own guest-only pool. Riverside Inn and Hot Springs also offers guest soaking. Pocatello, about 40 minutes away, has chain hotels and full services.

Safety notes

• Heat: At 112°F44°C, the hottest pool is hot enough to make you dizzy quickly. Keep soaks short, drink water and sit on the deck between pools. The elevation, around 5,000 feet, adds to the effect.
• Young children and pregnancy: The operator advises against soaking for children under 2 and does not recommend it during pregnancy without a doctor’s approval.
• The river: The Portneuf is natural water and tubing is at your own risk. The river closes at dusk.

Nearby stops worth adding

The Foundation’s Olympic Swimming Complex has an outdoor Olympic pool, diving platforms and water slides in summer, and the indoor pool runs much of the rest of the year. Check the hours page, because the indoor pool shuts for maintenance at times. Tube rentals in town put you on the Portneuf for a float through the middle of Lava Hot Springs in summer.