Downturn hasn’t cooled popularity of Lava Hot Springs

You can get into real hot water visiting eastern Idaho. The full-blown, vacation-destination hot springs experience can be found at Lava Hot Springs, situated about 40 miles southeast of Pocatello. Day visitors and vacationers alike will find several relaxing – some say spiritual – mineral hot spring pools and Jacuzzis in which to immerse.

The resort also features a wildly popular Olympic swimming pool replete with slides and diving boards, heated by the natural hot spring water. Visitors can also tube down the beautiful, neighboring Portneuf River using their own or rented tubes.

But it’s the physical and spiritual relaxation of the springs that gave birth to this popular resort community.

“About 2.5 million gallons a day of the finest water in the West come through these pools,” said Mark Lowe, executive director of the Lava Hot Springs Foundation, a state agency that oversees the complex.

The main springs enter at the upper pool, which resembles a Roman bath, but the springs bubble up all through the pools on site. Water temperatures reach 112 degrees in this pool, while the two Jacuzzis lower down run 104-105 degrees. There is no sulfur smell, because the groundwater is heated by close, but not direct, contact with volcanic activity.

“It’s sweet water, and you can be up to your chin and not get any odor,” Lowe said.

The natural mud bottoms of the springs were covered with gravel to keep the water crystal clear. Spring flows through the site change the water out about every two hours.

“Since 2006, we have completed the reclamation of the western portion of the hot pool facility and installed a new, somewhat cooler pool,” Lowe said. The 20,000-gallon stone-lined pool runs about 102-105 degrees.

“It’s very popular with the folks who want to spend more time and those who don’t tolerate the higher temps,” he said.

The economic downturn apparently hasn’t cooled off the popularity of this destination resort, which has a total state budget of about $1.64 million for fiscal year 2011.

“However, it doesn’t matter how high (the Legislature) sets our budget; if we don’t generate the revenue, we don’t have it to spend,” said Lowe.

That hasn’t been much of a problem, since ticket sales continue to grow.

“The facilities are the main attraction into southeastern Idaho,” said Lowe. “Our overall attendance in the past decade has increased over 50 percent, from 215,000 in 2001 to 330,000 in 2010.”

It’s not just the relaxing hot water that draws visitors here. The mineral-laden waters are also said to have great therapeutic value to those who swear by them. The springs, and other hot springs throughout the area, were healing and spiritual places for the native Shoshone-Bannock tribes.

“We get a lot of people with rheumatoid arthritis, backaches and pains, and they’ll tell you it’s the interface between the land, water and the atmosphere where there’s something metaphysical going on,” Lowe said. “You take out of it what you expect. Some people just want to come in and get warmed up, others do their meditations and do spiritual activity, and it’s a great place for that.”

One visitor, who goes only by the name of Kevin, discovered the springs in 1997. He returns regularly for their therapeutic benefits.

“The waters here are unique and of very high quality, and have a tremendous ability to heal and mend,” he said. “The hotter the water, the more powerful its penetration, and this place has a resonance that promotes relaxation and healing.”

It’s also a great place for gardens, where unusual formations known as algal reefs are the focal point for the historic Sunken Gardens. The Gardens, featuring themed flowerbeds and rich vegetation, form a lush backdrop for the pools. The algal reefs were formed by algae in the nearby, winding Portneuf River.

“If your spirit is bruised, bring it down and soak it,” said Lowe. “It does your soul and your physical self good.”

The huge swimming pool, replete with a 33-foot-high diving tower, two water slides and diving boards, is a huge favorite of families. You’ll also find a rock-climbing wall and a year-round indoor pool.

As a vacation destination, Lava Hot Springs offers hundreds of hotel rooms and campsites, along with restaurants and other visitor amenities.

For lodging opportunities, visit lavahotsprings.org/accommodations.html. Get the rub on massage opportunities at Lava by visiting lavahotsprings.org/massage-spa-beauty.html.

Lava Hot Springs

430 East Main

Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246

(208) 776-5221

e-mail: [email protected]

lavahotsprings.com

Ticket prices vary. Visit lavahotsprings.com/rates.html

For a related story, click here.