Lava Hot Springs celebrates new hot pool with grand opening
LAVA HOT SPRINGS, Idaho (KIFI) – The long-awaited hottest pool at Lava Hot Springs is open following a grand opening ribbon cutting on Thursday afternoon. Lava Hot Springs Executive Director Tyson Koester and Commissioner Jeff Hough cut the ribbon on the new and improved pool, built to serve the community for generations.
Dozens showed up to the hot springs for the grand opening on September 3, admiring not only the new pool, but the state-of-the-art landscaping project adjacent to the pool. The "Sunken Garden" was a surprise to the public, who didn't know it was part of the construction. Visitors can walk the paths near the hot pools and admire views of the hot springs and waterfall from above.
Koester said while the construction of this project has been visible to visitors for the last 10 months, the idea began in 2023. The original pool was built in the 1970s and with time, suffered major structural problems.
"We wanted to preserve as much nature as we possibly can, and I feel like we did," Koester said. "This wall got a little bit of criticsm, but it was really needed. There's a lot of weight that sits above with Highway 30 right here, so it was a danger area. It was really important to the safety and longevity of the project."
Several engineering and building companies came together to make the vision for the newly improved pool a reality. Prior to the construction, the steps to the old pool were crumbling, walls were tipping in, and Koester says the technology wasn't built for longevity.
The new pool boasts a solid foundations and two helical spheres every two feet, a baseline down to bedrock. There are also loungers and two ramps for wheelchair accessibility along with a set of new stairs.
It didn't come easily or quickly– the team faced dewatering 2.6 million gallons of water in the area during construction.
"We were shooting for opening Memorial Day," Koester said. "But early on, we got behind 40 days right out of the gate trying to de-water. We needed more pumps, demolition took longer because we kept hitting old structure. Ultimately, I'm happy with where we ended up."
The construction at Lava Hot Springs isn't done yet. Koester said a new project is set to begin fairly immediately now that the hot pool is complete.
"There will be a cold plunge at the west end of the complex, seats about 10 to 12 people," he explained. "That's the number one thing we've been asked for, but that construction project will have a lot less impact on the facility moving forward."
All the hot pools will stay open as normal throughout the building of the cold plunge. Koester said he expects traffic in the hot springs to increase as people arrive to see and enjoy the new pool.
"This pool is a lot of people's favorite pool, and they've missed it," he said. "I just encourage them to come check it out and enjoy the sacred waters."
The Shoshone-Bannock Tribes arrived early Thursday morning to bless the water in the newest pool at Lava Hot Springs. It is 100 percent natural, with no pumps running and fueled by Mother Nature. Koester said they're proud to be back harnessing the natural resources of the area and turning it into a tourist destination.
