The 12-acre Haven Hot Springs was established in 1951 on the south fork of the Payette River. It offers a huge split-temperature pool and a motel with four rooms, each with its own private 1-2-person mineral water hot tubs. The water is fresh, hot, and free-flowing – and you can rent a slot to have that giant pool all to yourself, any time of day or night, any time of year, and enjoy the quiet of the mountainous Idaho surroundings.
Haven Hot Springs also boasts a restaurant, RV park, gas station, and convenience store, and counts itself as one of many Idaho hot springs worth a visit on your way through the state.
| Address | 7655 ID-21, Lowman, Idaho |
| Location | Lowman, Idaho, on the Payette River |
| Open | Daily, 8 am – 10 pm |
| Clothing | Required |
| Road Access | Easy. All vehicles |
| Water Temperature | 85 – 104°F |
| Admission | $10 /hour, or included in the price of an overnight stay |
What To Expect
Haven Hot Springs offers a large pool and, just for motel guests, personal mineral water hot tubs in their own fenced-in gardens. The 30 x 75 feet pool’s hottest side is 101-104°F, while the cool side ranges from 85-98°F, depending on the season and weather.
NOTE: The water here is 100% natural and not chemically treated. As such, algae can grow. While it’s not going to hurt you, it can make things slippery, so tread with care. While there are cleaner commercial hot springs out there, a bit of green can serve to remind you what a genuine geothermal soak you’re getting!
Also important to note is that the hot springs are set back from the other family businesses- a motel attached to a local gas station. Hey, we all gotta make a living, right? The fuel, as the owners claim, is ethanol-free gasoline for “better mileage and engine performance,” good for cars and ATVs. Might come in handy for the next leg of your journey after you’ve enjoyed a soak.
While we found it a simple, family-friendly, welcoming place where the owners meet their guests and are happy to make them a filling, homemade meal, others have said they booked but arrived to find an unattended motel, or the cafe, service station, and store closed. Our advice is to call ahead (number below) and to have realistic expectations: Haven Hot Springs is certainly not for those looking for a luxurious soak, but if you’re happy with the basics (but don’t want wilderness basics), then this should do fine.
IMPORTANT: There is no cell service at the hot springs but there is free WiFi.
A warm welcome awaits in these small, functional rooms with their own private hot tubs out back.
The Restaurant
The Haven Hot Springs family restaurant works Friday through Monday, from April through October. We recommend the sourdough biscuits and gravy, flame-grilled ribeye steaks, anything with eggs (laid by their own chickens, who you may see around), and huckleberry shakes – just a few of the numerous options on their menu.
As owners Ray and Lisa say: “Our casual, comfy café is open seasonally (April to October…..we reserve the right to open when we’re ready and leave when we’re done) usually Friday & Saturday 9 am-4 pm, Sunday 9 am-2 pm or later, Monday 9 am-noon. We love serving people good food! Food made lovingly from scratch takes a little time. Play a game or piano, log onto our wifi, or visit with other guests while we make your meal. Consider ordering ahead by texting 208-793-0630.”
They have beer and wine for those of age, and kombucha and soda for those who aren’t. They also offer vegan and gluten-free options, and everything is made from scratch. Just remember to text them when you’re coming at 208-793-0630!
If you’re there when the cafe is closed, the store has a good range of convenience items available.
Prices
Passes are $10 per person per hour. You can have the pool all to yourself by booking a slot in advance here.
How To Get There
The Haven Hot Springs is just under two hours northeast of Boise, Idaho. You have two options for getting there. The scenic route is to take the ID-55 N to Banks, and from there turn East onto the Banks Lowman Rd which follows the Payette River through the Boise National Forest. When you get to ID-21, turn North. You’ll find the Haven Hot Springs 3.8 miles away on the left.
The shorter and slightly faster route option from Boise is to head north-east to Idaho City on the ID-21 (Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route) and stay on the ID-21 for the 38 miles (1 hour) further journey to Lowman and the Haven Hot Springs on the left.
Can I Stay There?
Yes. You can camp, bring your RV, or stay in one of the four motel rooms. Be sure to book in advance as spots are limited.
The four motel rooms come with 1 or 2 beds, a TV, a bathroom, a small fridge, a microwave, and a coffeemaker. Each boasts its own 1-2-person private mineral water open hot tub.
The motel rooms have their own private yards with mineral water hot tubs.
There is plenty of space to put up a tent or park your car or RV (with full hookups). The campground sites are grassy, shaded by mature trees, and have excellent views of the surrounding mountains. Laundry and shower options are available, just ask in advance.
Guests staying overnight can use the pool for free after 10 pm.
Prices
| Motel Room | $150 / night |
| RV (full hookup) | $49 / night |
| Tent/Car Camping | $25 / night |
| Extra Camper/Pet | $5 / night |
| Parking Lot Boondock – Car/Truck/RV Dry Camp | $15 / night |
NOTE: Spots are limited, but the owners say they plan to expand!
What Else Can I Do In The Area?
The Boise National Forest is packed full of natural sights to appreciate and offers something for everyone. Whether you’re into rafting, hiking, fishing, motorcycles, horses, or bicycles – the well-maintained access roads, trails, and rivers are a real treat to discover. Why not hike Alice Lake for an unbeatable view of Idaho’s famed Sawtooth Mountains?
We recommend other nearby hot springs, too. Check out the rustic Rocky Canyon Hot Springs with its multiple cascading pools and natural greenery, Trail Creek Hot Springs “the gem of the northwest” on the other side of the Boise National Forest, and the popular Kirkham Hot Springs, just along the road from Haven Hot Springs.
And don’t forget to check out the towns of Boise and Stanley to soak up some local vibes, too!
The Takeaway
Haven Hot Springs offers a simple but large split-temperature pool, a campground, and a motel with four rooms, each with their own private 1-2-person mineral water hot tubs. The water is fresh, hot, and free-flowing – and you can rent a slot to have that giant pool all to yourself, any time of day or night, any time of year, and enjoy the quiet of the mountainous Idaho surroundings.
The Dos And Don’ts Of Visiting A Hot Springs
Every hot springs has its own quirks. Visitors to Haven Hot Springs, for example, should phone ahead to check everything is open, and should be cautious when entering the pool due to possible slippery algae growth. For more general and very important “hot springs etiquette,” we highly recommend you take a moment to check out our carefully compiled easy-to-read list of “dos and don’ts” here. And always, always respect our nature – pack out what you pack in and LEAVE NO TRACE.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but depending on when you go and whether you book in advance, it can appear that way. The restaurant has limited hours and is only open April-October, Friday through Monday. Call 208-793-0630 to check before you go – there is no cell service on-site, though there is free Wifi.
No, but the pool is left to do its own free-flowing thing, and as the water is 100% natural and not chemically treated, algae can grow. It’s all part of the natural geothermal water process, so go with an open mind.
Yes. It has a restaurant open April-October, Friday through Monday (call 208-793-0630 to check/order), as well as a convenience store and a gas station selling ethanol-free gasoline.
Yes, but if you’re staying, there’s a $5 charge per pet. Please keep your pet under control and respect other guests. Be warned: there are free-roaming chickens on site!
Disclaimer
While we at Traxplorio do our very best to give you the latest information about these hot springs sites, life happens, weather happens, and property owners happen. We always recommend you go to the official hot springs’ web page and/or the relevant state authority page to check conditions, times, and prices (where relevant) before you head out. Thanks for understanding, and enjoy your soak!
