A quiet, off-grid hot springs resort that you would not expect to find within a day trip of Salt Lake City.
A wide variety of lodging options are also attractive.
Riverside pools
Located on the southeastern edge of Idaho, it is about a 2.5-hour drive from Salt Lake City, Utah.
Entering Maple Grove Hot Springs Rd on a dirt road via State Highway 34 is a route that can be taken by normal vehicles.
Google Maps may show other routes, but they are muddy and not recommended.
Its history as a hot spring resort dates back to 1913 when the Hopkins family settled on Native American (Shoshone) land.
Since then, the property has changed owners several times, prospering and falling into disrepair.
The current management has been in place since 2019.
The concept of limiting the number of people available at a time and providing a place to escape the stresses of everyday life seems to be working well.
Walk-in is also available, but must be reserved in advance.
You can book slots online three times a day for three hours each time.
The recreational pool located right next to the reception desk had a lukewarm water temperature of about 97 degrees F.
It was divided into two large sections, but the pool on the riverside was not available.
A yoga session had quietly begun by the poolside.
A short distance away were three stone circular pools.
Each pool was large and could fit about eight soakers, but since they limit the number of visitors to the entire facility, it was practically like a private pool.
There was no particular odor in the water, but it had a yellowish color.
The temperature in the pool was maintained at an appropriate level of about 106 degrees F.
Several of the lodging options were seen in the surrounding area.
This is a type of glamping called Canvas.
Besides that, there were yurts, cabins, and campsites.
Overnight guests have 24-hour access to the pools.
Powerful geothermal activity
While walking through the grounds with beautiful autumn leaves, I found the source.
I recognized it immediately because steam was rising aggressively behind the cabin.
Off-limits due to high temperatures exceeding 180 degrees F at the gushing points.
Overflow from the source pond was recorded at 127 degrees F.
Most of the hot water was not used for soaking and was dumped into the Bear River through a channel by the square.
Summary
Maple Grove Hot Springs & Retreat Center, Thatcher, Idaho, U.S.
My rating
Type: Walk-in, Lodging
Rule: Clothing required
Chemical use: Not detected
Water temp: Up to 180 degrees F
