# Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

Lava Hot Springs in Idaho. 113°F (45°C). Roadside · Public Land. Caribou County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lava-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Lava Hot Springs?

Yes. Lava Hot Springs is a developed hot spring with pools from 102 to 112°F. A day pass costs $8 as of October 2026.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 113°F (45°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 6.8 (Neutral) |
| Total dissolved solids | 776 mg/L |
| Elevation | 5,115 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 157 ft from the nearest road |
| Land | State of Idaho, OTHS |
| County | Caribou County |
| Nearest town | Soda Springs |
| Coordinates | 42.62100, -112.00800 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | PEBBLE GUARD STATION, 10.7 mi |

## Plan your visit

| | |
|---|---|
| Type | Developed pools |
| Cost | $8 day pass. Mon-Thu $8; Fri-Sun and holidays $12; ages 60+ $7.50/$10; price year not stated on page |
| Hours | May 1-Sep 30 8am-11pm daily; Oct 1-Apr 30 8am-10pm (11pm Fri-Sat) |
| Season | Year-round |
| Pool temperature | 102–112°F |
| Clothing | Swimsuit required |
| Getting there | in town, roadside |
| In winter | plowed town |
| Operator | Lava Hot Springs Foundation (State of Idaho), https://lavahotsprings.com/hotpools/ |

Checked October 2026. Sources: https://lavahotsprings.com/hotpools/, https://lavahotsprings.org/hot-springs/

## About Lava Hot Springs

Lava Hot Springs is a cluster of geothermal mineral springs that gave its name to the town of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. The land is held by the State of Idaho and access is recorded as open. The water comes out hot, a notch above what most people would soak in untouched, with a fair load of dissolved minerals and some iron in the 1976 sample. The record lists Caribou County and puts Soda Springs about twenty-one miles off as the nearest city.

A road passes within about 150 feet of the source, though its name is not on file. This is state ground, and the springs sit in the town that carries their name. Elevation is moderate. Winters bring close to six feet of snow, and the year overall is on the dry side.

Wikipedia describes Lava Hot Springs as a system of geothermal mineral springs in Bannock County, Idaho, in and around the city that took its name from them. The USGS keeps a thermal site here, and the state lists the ground as its own.

The recorded best months run December through February. Pebble Guard Station is the nearest campground on file, nearly eleven miles out. The water wants a cautious first touch. Ownership is clear in the record. Fees and hours are not on file, so check locally before you show up. The chemistry on file dates to 1976.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1976-06-29 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 6.8 |
| Total dissolved solids | 776 mg/L |
| Calcium | 120 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 32 mg/L |
| Sodium | 170 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 110 mg/L |
| Chloride | 190 mg/L |
| Iron | 70 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Pocatello](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/idaho/pocatello), 29 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Idaho](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho)
- [Lava Hot Springs (Thermal Mineral Springs), ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/lava-hot-springs-thermal-mineral-springs): pH 6.8, TDS 776 mg/L, Roadside, near Soda Springs, Caribou County, developed pools, pools 102–112°F, $8 day pass, year-round
- [Portneuf River Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/portneuf-river-warm-spring): 93°F source, pH 6.2, Short Walk, near Soda Springs, Caribou County
- [Downata Hot Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/downata-hot-springs): 109°F source, pH 6.7, TDS 266 mg/L, Short Walk, near Malad City, Oneida County, developed pools, pools 99–102°F, day pass
- [Steamboat Hot Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/steamboat-hot-spring): 88°F source, TDS 1,450 mg/L, Short Walk, near Soda Springs, Caribou County
- [Soda Springs, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/soda-springs-2): 82°F source, Roadside, near Soda Springs, Caribou County
- [Mound Valley Warm Spring, ID](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/idaho/mound-valley-warm-spring): Warm, Short Walk, near Soda Springs, Caribou County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Lava Hot Springs?**
Lava Hot Springs has a water temperature of 113°F (45°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Lava Hot Springs located?**
Lava Hot Springs is located in Caribou County, Idaho at 5,115 feet elevation, near Soda Springs. Coordinates: 42.6210°N, 112.0080°W.

**How do I get to Lava Hot Springs?**
Lava Hot Springs has Roadside road access (157 ft from the road).

**Is Lava Hot Springs free to visit?**
Lava Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by OTHS.

**Can I camp near Lava Hot Springs?**
Yes, Pebble Guard Station is located nearby (10.7 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Lava Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.8 (neutral). Total dissolved solids measure 776 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Lava Hot Springs?**
With care. At 113°F Lava Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lava_Hot_Springs_(thermal_mineral_springs)