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A Guide for Soaking at The Springs in Idaho City

Book a day at The Springs in Idaho City for a relaxing soak in a luxury setting complete with poolside service, amenities, and more.

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Idaho is home to hundreds of hot springs – some are way off the beaten path and require quite a trek to get to while others are right off the highway and are well-known among both locals and out-of-towners. Then there are commercial hot springs resorts where you pay to soak.

A few years ago, I was back home in Boise over Thanksgiving and my mom and I were looking for something fun we could do together. Soaking in some hot springs sounded like a nice way to pamper ourselves. However, my mom isn’t too much of a hiker, so I wasn’t about to take her to some of the more difficult-to-reach spots that I would normally go to on my own. I also envisioned the hilarity that would occur if I were to run into some skinny dippers with my mom in the backwoods.

I had recently heard about The Springs in Idaho City, which is a commercial hot spring resort less than an hour away from downtown Boise. With a quick glance at their website, it appeared to be quite luxurious, so we hit the road to check it out.


Getting to the Springs in Idaho City

The Springs is located about an hour northeast of Boise on Route 21. The resort sits just off the road on the left side of the highway shortly past mile marker 37.

The town of Idaho City – one of Idaho’s coolest small towns – is located about a mile further up the road.


Reservations For The Springs in Idaho City

Reservations are required to soak at The Springs. You can make reservations online or by calling them at 208-392-9500.

As of October 2022, each reservation slot is for 2.5 hours ($23 per adult) or you can book a private tub for a 1-hour soak ($50/two people).

Other things to keep in mind when making a reservation:

  • The Springs are closed Tuesday and Wednesday
  • Adult-only soaks (18+) are Monday, Thursday, and Friday
  • Saturday and Sunday are open to all ages
Kristen smiling for photo while soaking in large hot spring pool at The Springs in Idaho City hot springs resort

Soaking at The Springs

From the moment you walk into The Springs in Idaho City, it feels swanky. The lobby where you check in has tall ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace, a beautiful chandelier, and a couple of comfortable couches.

When you check in, you are given a towel and key to a personal locker where you can store your belongings.

2022 update: Due to the pandemic, visitors are asked to bring their own towels or you can purchase one at the front desk.

Upscale lobby at The Springs in Idaho City hot springs resort

Locker rooms

There are separate locker rooms for men and women. I found the locker rooms to be small, but very clean. The Springs provided high-quality amenities like shampoo, conditioner, and shower gel for your post-soak shower, as well as hair dryers and other toiletries.

The doors from the locker rooms lead directly out to the large soaking pool.

The pools

In order to manage the crowds, The Springs has a maximum number of people that they allow into the facility each day.  We made our reservation for the earliest time slot in the day which meant we started with the pool all to ourselves.

The outside area consists of a huge soaking pool, as well as a smaller hot tub, both surrounded by Idaho’s beautiful forest. There are a ton of lounge chairs, although it was too cold during our visit to sit anywhere but in the pool.

There are also private pools tucked away that can fit up to four adults.

Food & drink

There is a small menu that you can order food and drinks from. The menu is simple, consisting of salads, sandwiches, small plates, and a variety of drinks including Irish coffee, mimosas, and local microbrew which they will bring to you poolside.

(Be aware that they do have a strict one-drink-per-hour rule…so don’t plan on coming here and getting smashed).

Large hot springs pool with steaming rising up at The Springs in Idaho City Resort surrounded by pine forest

Lodging Near The Springs: Inn The Pines

If you want to stay overnight, The Springs has a seven-room hotel just down the road from the pools. We didn’t stay at Inn The Pines, but the rooms look really nice and the hotel is a rustic-style log cabin.

Overnight guests also get a discounted rate for soaking at the Springs.

Hotel room with bed and furniture at Innn The Pines hotel in Idaho Springs
Inn The Pines guest room | Photo credit: The Springs Hot Springs Resort

My first experience at The Springs at Idaho City was super relaxing and a great place to visit year-round. And for $23, it’s great a great value that will leave you feeling like you spent a LOT more at a fancy day spa. So head up there with family, friends, or that hot date to unwind and indulge.

Have you visited the Springs in Idaho City? What are your favorite hot springs in Idaho? Leave a comment below!

Book a day at The Springs in Idaho City for a relaxing soak in a luxury setting complete with poolside service, amenities, and more.

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