Lava Hot Springs

When we first pulled into the town of Lava Hot springs, the main road was crowded with cars and tourists.  Hotels all along the strip advertised private hot spring pools, and the main commercial springs in town were similar to other commercial springs we had visited (a large public pool, loungers, umbrellas and tables).  Of course, these pools are gonna cost ya ($10 a person).  

Feeling pretty certain that where there are resorts there is also a public and free source pool, we went into the information center/museum and inquired with the locals.  They weren't keen on telling us about the location of the FREE tubs, saying that there was lots of broken glass and garbage around, but eventually they relented their secrets.  

The springs we bathed at in the town of Lava Hot springs were located in the side of a river bank, similar in style to San Francisco Hot Springs, except here, the river bottom and banks were made of rocks, ensuring clear water and clean bathing.  No muddy bathing suit bottoms here.  To get there, we had to cross through a small trailer park located near the north entrance to the main strip, on the east side of the road.  We walked past the trailers and turned north, following a gravel trail along the river.  In the distance we could hear people laughing and eventually we saw the bright colours of bathing suits and towels hung in the trees.  One thing we DIDN'T find, was piles of garbage and broken glass.  We suspect that was just a deterrent rather than a real warning.  

A short climb down the river bank, assisted by a rope got us to the tubs, which were quite warm, but cut with the cool water of the river which seeped in through the rocks at some intervals.  A few smaller pools were built off the large main pool and these were hotter, one of them being located right at the source.  Locals and tourists alike bathed together, young couples and families.  Some just soaking, others actually bathing and washing their hair (which at first sight is a little unappealing, until you realize that this is a river and the turnover rate of the water in the pools is very fast).  We would have liked to snap a few pictures of this serene place to soak, but when there are a bunch of people in the pools, taking photos is generally frowned upon. So we left our phones in the pockets of our pants and soaked, sans social media.

The river was really pretty, both at sunset and in the early morning.  If you go early enough and stay late enough, you can assure yourself some solitude if that's your thing.  On our first trip to the springs we didn't speak much to anyone, but when we returned in the morning we chatted with an older man who was travelling by himself from Wyoming (just one state over), and also with a young man named Jake who was there with his dog.  Jake and his girlfriend, Maddie (who decided to stay with their rig and read that morning) were from BC and were also on a trip South, heading for Panama.  Their story was similar to ours, except we had about ten years on them.  We parted ways, not expecting to meet again, but hot springs are a funny thing.....

Cleanliness - 4
Amenities - 1
Exclusivity - 2
Scenery - 4
Community - 4
Camping - 1 (Unless you don't mind paying to camp at the RV site at the trail head to the river springs, or at an expensive KOA just north of the springs on the west side of the river.   You won't find a free night's stay directly next to the springs.  A short drive will be required for that.)