Diamond in the rough
Just less than two hours north of Logan sits one of the greatest outdoor adventure areas available.
According to the Lava Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Web site, Lava Hot Springs, located along the historic Oregon Trail and near the Pontneuf River, has long been a destination for campers, bathers and people looking to have a great outdoor adventure.
Founded at the site of a number of natural hot springs, the town offers a number of amenities and destinations for thrill seekers and the casual campers alike. With hundreds of camping sites available to the public, it makes a great weekend getaway.
The Chamber of Commerce website also suggested visiting other attractions found in town, such as the Olympic-sized swimming pool that has a number of diving boards going up to thirty-three feet long with a covered 25-yard pool that is open all year round. Also the pool is connected to a number of waterslides as well that have been recently added to the park with a climbing wall and other amusement options. Near the water park is the local hot springs that has a number of different pools with heats that range from 102 to 112 degrees.
The hot springs are a natural occurrence which makes the water heated by geothermic influences and causes the water to rise up to ground level.
With the local presence of the Pontneuf River, it causes the hot springs to have a fresh supply of water to keep the flow of the hot springs consistently fresh. One of the many benefits of the hot springs is that the water is full of healthy minerals that contains no sulfur, an element that is common in most hot springs. This lack of sulfur causes there to be no bad odor from the water which leads to a perfect relaxing pool to bathe in.
During the winter months at night, the steam from the natural pools rises and cuts down on the visibility outside of the pools making it a very unique setting.
“It varies from relaxing all the way to extreme sports. You can go sit in the hot tubs of which there are a few of the big pools there to choose from,” said Joe Watson, a USU student majoring in engineering. “You can then go next door to the high dives and jump off these thirty five foot cliff diving boards that they have.”
Another one of the benefits of having a river nearby, the Pontneuf offers a number of tubing and rafting options to those that want a little more than relaxing in a pool. The city has many business such as TPD Tubes, or River’s Edge Tubing that are able to rent supplies to help on any trips.
ASUSU Athletics Vice President Lance Brown says of Lava Hot Springs, “The funniest thing there is floating the river right by it. There are a number of drops that toss you around and mess you up. Some of my best memories have come from going up there with my friends on a Saturday afternoon.”
Lava Hot Springs has a number of features and attractions to keep guests entertained for some time. So for a trip away from school, this is a great place that can make for a very memorable weekend.
–crisnull@gmail.com