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Lava Hot Springs and the Portneuf River
Even before white settlers arrived in southeastern Idaho in the early 19th century, the mineral pools of what today is Lava Hot Springs were a place of peace, rest and healing where rival Indian tribes set aside their disputes on neutral, sacred ground. T en came successive waves of fur trappers, explorers and wagons
fi lled with pioneer families. T e preeminence of the Shoshone and Bannock Indians faded as the Portneuf River and environs became known as the “Gateway to the Northwest.” Today, modern-day wagons – the motorhomes and travel trailers of RV enthusiasts from throughout North America – fi nd their way to the famous hot springs off Interstate 15 via an 11-mile (18 km) diversion onto U.S. Highway 30. And, as my wife Barbara and I discovered, it is a diversion well worth taking. Unlike most of the well-planned trips we take in our 23-foot travel
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trailer, this particular late spring, extended weekend escape to Lava Hot Springs from our home in Salt Lake City was a spur-of-the-moment aff air. T e normal upheavals of life, the stress of recession-era workplaces and some since-conquered health challenges had leſt us exhausted; we needed an escape and looked for an RVing haven relatively close to home. Lava Hot Springs was a half-day’s drive away and we had never been there before. Sometimes, courting Dame Serendipity can be disappointing; this
time, though, we found an idyllic rescue in the odour-free, mineral baths, natural beauty and friendly people of Lava Hot Springs. Of several highly-rated RV parks available, we found one that was perfect for us: Lava Spa RV Park. Our assigned space was just a few feet up the bank of the spring runoff -swollen Portneuf River, along a bend that gave us a stunning view of churning white water along with the morning’s coff ee – while the soſt roar of the river lulled us to sleep at night. Within 100 feet of our campsite was a trailhead leading to several
hiking routes, both along the Portneuf and into the nearby foothills. A self-guided walking tour through downtown Lava Hot Springs met our hunger for exploration and scenic rejuvenation. It is a small town, but it boasts well-appointed shops, restaurants and a beautiful riverside walkway with views of extensive sunken gardens, well-groomed parks and easy access to river-raſt ing and inner tube fl oating venues and rentals. Of course, you don’t come to Lava Hot Springs – or shouldn’t
– without luxuriating in the namesake mineral pools. T ere are several businesses catering to this urge to soak in sulfur-free mineral waters that range from 102 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit. We chose the year-round Hot Pools – a complex of fi ve gravel bottomed, stone- lined pools a short walk from our campsite. For $6 each per visit, or a $7.50 all-day, multi-visit pass – we melted away the stress of life and the sore muscles from the morning’s hiking. Centuries ago, the Native peoples found this area a place of
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reverence where they could worship the Great Spirit as clouds of steam enveloped them like cocoons. One day during our stay, as we waded quietly through the soothing pools, a spring rainstorm came. T e combination of fat, wet and cold raindrops on our faces while our bodies were immersed in the warm mineral waters was both primal and spiritual, one of life’s few perfect, beautiful moments. Want to learn more about what a trip to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho
off ers? Here’s a good place to start with your Internet browser:
www.lavahotsprings.org/ Barbara and I will defi nitely visit the springs and its people again. Maybe we’ll see you there. 6
7 year warranty
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