Haven Hot Springs

I really liked the large, open hot springs pool when I visited in 2018. When I booked a soak in November 2021, though, it had been divided into several sections with cinder blocks, each at a different temperature. One section was too hot to stay in for long, while the others were too cool, and the cooler water mixed unevenly with them. Depending on where you stood, the water might not feel warm at all. The concrete and block steps were slick with algae, which felt unsafe and made the water unpleasant to soak in. I was alone in the dark during my short reservation, and hotel guests came into the pool area to see if they could get in before their usual start time. Thankfully, they left. I’d like the old single, open pool with a comfortable temperature back.

A friend and I spent a few hours at the pools and had a great time. We liked being able to reserve them for ourselves in blocks of time, without other people interrupting. I heard there was more algae than usual in each pool, but it didn’t seem to change the water temperature, so it didn’t bother us. We’ll definitely be back.

We went during the off season, and the food place was closed. Booking and finding the property were easy, though we weren’t sure where the pool was at first. We called using their phone and learned it was up to the left of the motel. We weren’t motel guests, and I don’t know whether they would have let us use a bathroom if we’d asked. There was only a changing room by the pool. The pool gets shade in the morning and evening. It’s divided into three sections with different temperatures, and we stayed in the hottest one the whole time. There was just a faint sulfur smell, which we didn’t really notice until after we got home and showered.

A lovely small place for a stay. The rooms felt cozy and rustic, and I really liked having a private hot tub without the sulfur smell that’s common at other hot springs. It’s a nice spot to unplug and take in some of Idaho’s beautiful scenery.