Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
28 days ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
28 days ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
28 days ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
28 days ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Idaho Lava Hot Springs Inn

Lava Hot Springs Inn

A former sanitarium where soldiers were sent to recover in the healing waters of hot springs.

Lava Hot Springs, Idaho

Added By
Star S
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
Lava Hot Springs, circa 1950   WaterArchives.org
Lava Hot Springs, circa 1950   WaterArchives.org
Lava Hot Springs, circa 1940   WaterArchives.org
  Kanashii / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Long before the town of Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, was established by European immigrants, the springs in this area were frequented by the native Bannock and Shoshone tribes who believed they had spiritual healing properties.

Built in the 1920s, the Lava Hot Springs Hospital was eventually used to rehabilitate veterans returning from World War I. The soothing waters of the natural springs were used for therapeutic treatments of the patients recovering here. After the war, the hospital became a place where the town's elderly was cared for. 

Only in the 1980s was this building turned into a hotel, containing 31 guest rooms and multiple pools ranging from 94-107 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Related Tags

Water Sacred Spaces Hospitals Places To Stay Hot Springs

Know Before You Go

Visitors who would like to use the pools but are not staying at the inn are required to purchase a day pass, which is available at the front desk. Please make sure to stop by it before entering the pools. 

*Pool hours: 7 AM- 11 PM

This location is home to a few feline friends- be sure to say hello!

Just below the inn runs the Portneuf River. There are many inner tube rental locations nearby if one wishes to go tubing. 

Should you choose to stay here, it may be helpful to know that most of the bathrooms are shared and just across the hall from the guest rooms. 

 

Community Contributors

Added By

Kanashii

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

August 17, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.travelchannel.com/shows/ghost-adventures/photos/ghost-adventures-lava-hot-springs-inn-pictures
  • http://www.lavahotspringsinn.com/
  • https://www.kivitv.com/news/outdoors/lava-hot-springs-has-soothing-water-and-ghosts
  • https://lavahotsprings.org/lava-hot-springs-history/
  • https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/idaho/idahos-most-haunted-hotel-used-to-be-a-sanatorium-and-its-insanely-creepy/
Lava Hot Springs Inn
1 Center St
Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, 83246
United States
42.620073, -112.011341
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Niter Ice Cave

Grace, Idaho

miles away

Geyser Park

Soda Springs, Idaho

miles away

Museum of Clean

Pocatello, Idaho

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Idaho

Idaho

United States

Places 67
Stories 12

Nearby Places

Niter Ice Cave

Grace, Idaho

miles away

Geyser Park

Soda Springs, Idaho

miles away

Museum of Clean

Pocatello, Idaho

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Idaho

Idaho

United States

Places 67
Stories 12

Related Places

  • The Oasis Trail at the Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza.

    Palm Springs, California

    Agua Caliente Cultural Plaza

    An ancient mineral hot spring sits at the middle of this combination cultural center and spa.

  • Kapishya Hot Springs.

    Chinsali, Zambia

    Kapishya Hot Springs

    A secluded natural oasis hidden deep along a rainforest trail.

  • The Arlington Hotel

    Hot Springs, Arkansas

    The Arlington Hotel

    This historic hotel on Bathhouse Row in Hot Springs National Park has a storied history of gangsters and baseball greats.

  • Durango, Colorado

    Pinkerton Hot Springs

    A multicolored mineral mound dribbles piping hot spring water right off the side of a highway.

  • Juntura, Oregon

    Juntura Hot Springs

    In eastern Oregon, two mineral hot springs sit along the Malheur River in a fairly desolate area where peace and quiet are abound.

  • Baths of Aphrodite

    Neo Chorio, Cyprus

    Aphrodite's Bath

    Legend holds that the Ancient Greek goddess of love once bathed in the waters of this grotto.

  • The trail on the east side of the Rio Grande looking south, near the springs.

    Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico

    Manby Hot Springs

    Secluded springs in the Rio Grande Gorge offer hot bathing beside the haunted ruins of a stagecoach stop.

  • St Mary’s and All Saints Church, Dunsfold

    Dunsfold, England

    St Mary's and All Saints Church & Holy Well

    An ancient yew tree and holy well nestle beside a remarkable 13th-century church.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.