A Fall Bucket List for Every Adventure in Lava Hot Springs

A Fall Bucket List for Every Adventure in Lava Hot Springs

When it comes to planning a getaway at Lava Hot Springs, don’t snooze on shoulder season. You might even prefer fall in this quaint Idaho town. The weather is pleasant, the summer crowds have abated, and the mountains surrounding Lava are alight with autumn colors.

Located just two hours north of Salt Lake City and three hours south of Yellowstone, Lava Hot Springs is a breeze to get to, whether you’re here for the weekend or just passing through. This year-round destination beckons to travelers of all kinds: those eager to explore, families, friend groups, and wellness devotees. Whatever your reason for visiting, we have a bucket list — and accommodations — for every kind of adventure.

man zip lining with his arms out

For the Explorers

The Portneuf River may be closed to tubing until next summer, but there are many other fall-season thrills in Lava Hot Springs. In town, you can rent electric bikes and scooters, or golf at the local courses (there’s also disc golfing in Lava Hot Springs Park).

Or, head for the hills. Trails surround the valley — for exploring by ATV, mountain bike, horseback, or on foot. The Lava Idaho Centennial Trail and Pebble Creek Trailhead are excellent hikes. For muddy fun on hilly, curvy laps in the Pebble Creek Valley, reserve an adventure with Lava Hot Go-Karts. (Activities wind down in the fall, so visit their website for updated hours.)

Kick the adrenaline up a notch with Lava Zip Line, where you’ll careen through a private canyon on thousands of feet of steel cables. Next, test your skills on the climbing wall and high ropes course. Zip trips are available year-round, even in inclement weather.

After a full day of action, soak in the pools at Lava Hot Springs to relax your tired muscles.

Accommodations: Level up your adventure with a few nights at the Lava Hot Springs Inn. Eerie sightings have been reported at this sanitarium-turned-hotel, where some say its mineral baths act as a conductor for paranormal activity. Or, book a stay at The Bins of Lava, where refurbished grain bins can serve as your hip home base.

picture of the front of the History museum

Wholesome Family Fun

Because there’s so much to do in Lava (for people of all ages), the fall season is great for both low-key family outings and large family reunions.

At the Indoor Aquatic Center and Portneuf Kiddie Cove, open year-round, families can enjoy its enclosed pool, diving board, hot tub, and aquatic toys.

Also not to be missed: the geothermal pools at Lava Hot Springs. These well-maintained pools are kept at varying temperatures (102 to 112 degrees), with facility amenities including changing rooms, showers, bathrooms, lockers, and a gift shop.

Want a taste of the Old West? Take in the local scenery during a horse-drawn wagon ride and picnic under the open sky at Andrus Ranch. Next, visit the South Bannock County Historical Museum, which houses permanent and rotating exhibits about the history of the Lava Hot Springs area and the development of the surrounding rural communities.

Accommodations: Simplify family breakfasts with a stay at The Lava Hotel, which has a waffle house in its lobby. For larger family gatherings, see the vacation homes on the Lava Hot Springs Chamber’s website.

group of friends dressed up for octoberfest

Squad Goals

You’re never too old for a sleepover — especially when in Lava Hot Springs with your best buds. Kick off the trip with brunch followed by a group visit to the town’s hot pools, which is a nice, laid-back setting for connecting with friends old and new.

Lava may be a small town, but it doesn’t skimp on nightlife. For cocktails with a view, head to The Rooftop Bar, ideally at sunset, for a look at the Portneuf Valley in all its glory. Several restaurants and bars (including The Rooftop) also have live music throughout the year. Most weekends through fall, you can catch performances via the Lava Flow Live concert series.

Accommodations: The Riverside Hot Springs Inn and Spa provides adults-only accommodations and an onsite restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop. Another great spot for a group stay in Downtown Lava: the Home Hotel, which provides group tours to the Soda Springs Geyser via limo.

picture of a archway sign for Sunken Gardens

Release and Renew

Lava Hot Springs was originally known to the Shoshone-Bannock peoples as “Poha-Ba” or “Land of Healing Waters,” as they utilized the natural mud baths, mineral waters, and fertile environment for healing and survival.

Today, wellness devotees view Lava as a welcome reprieve from the stresses of everyday life, retreating here to reset and restore overall health. If it’s time to slow down and get away, nature will certainly nurture you in Lava.

Fall is especially peaceful here. Picture it: you start the day with meditation on the banks of the Portneuf River, the sound of water rushing by and leaves drifting from the trees. Next, you swim a few laps at the Indoor Aquatic Center. Then, you take a leisurely stroll through the Sunken Gardens, followed by a dip in the soothing hot pools at Lava Hot Springs. (If you prefer to enjoy these thermal wonders in solitude, some local hotels divert water from underground hot springs into soaking tubs for their guests.) You end the day by decompressing with a therapeutic massage at one of several local spas, then with dinner on a restaurant patio as the sun sets.

Accommodations: The Harkness Hotel’s luxurious rooms and salon and spa services make for a restorative getaway. Additionally, nature lovers may enjoy glamping at Lava Campground’s retro campers or a stay in the cozy Bristol Park Historic Cabins. Visit lavahotsprings.org for more information.