Natural springs heat up fall adventures
With the seemingly endless winters soon approaching Cache Valley, outdoor swimming seems like the last thing on anyone’s mind. Unless the water is heated.
There are many natural hot springs around the area open year round to those who believe in the healing power of the natural spring, as well as to those who are looking for a warm way to spend a cold evening.
Riverdale Resort, located five miles north of Preston, Idaho is one of these places. Marcia Porter, who has worked at Riverdale for more than 15 years, said a lot of therapists bring their patients to the pools. The water is good because it takes stress off aching joints.
“The pools are a great place to come and spend all day having fun,” Porter said.
Riverdale Resort is open Monday through Saturday from 1 to 10 p.m. and closed Sunday.
Adults 12 and older are admitted for a cost of $4.70, kids 3 to 11 tfo $3.95, children 3 and under are $3 and students with a valid ID are $4.25. More information is available by calling (208)852-0266.
Lava Hot Springs in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, has been running since 1902. With four soaking pools, the resort can easily accommodate a few hundred people, said worker Glenda Heath.
The water is all-natural with no chemicals added, and the temperature ranges from 102 to 112 degrees. Each pool goes through 3 million gallons of water every 24 hours.
While they can “not make any medical claims” people do come and soak in the pools for therapy, Heath said.
Lava Hot Springs is open seven days a week. Their summer hours are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Winter hours, starting Oct. 1, are 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost for adults is $4.50, kids 3 to 11 are $4, and children under 3 are free.
If customers are planning a large group outing, there are discounts available for groups of 35 or more, as well as family discounts.
Heath assures this is a “good time of year” to enjoy the springs. For more information, call 1-800-423-8597.
Bel Mont, at 5600 W. 19200 North in Plymouth, Utah, has been open for more than 20 years. The resort offers natural hot springs, swimming and scuba diving year round.
The cost is $4.50 for adults 14 and older, $3.50 for children 3 to 13 and $3 for those under 3. They currently offer no student discounts.
Also available at Bel Mont are camping hook-ups for those interested in spending more than one day enjoying the heated pools.
Bel Mont is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, give them a call at 435-458-3200.
Crystal Hot Springs, 8215 N. Hwy. 38 in Honeyville, Utah, is open Monday through Friday noon to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The cost is $5 plus tax for ages 13 and up, and $4 plus tax for ages 3 to 12. There is an additional cost for access to the pool’s slide.
For those who don’t live in an apartment with a hot tub, and don’t have any friends who can hook them up, they can visit any one of the many natural hot spring resorts around Logan.