Water activities surround campers in the Lava Hot Springs area in summer, in southeast Idaho. You'll want to soak in the hot mineral water after a day of fishing, hiking or tubing the river. Some of the campgrounds are open in winter for activities that include skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing.
Swimming and Soaking
You can choose swimming, diving, soaking or rock climbing at the Lava Hot Springs pool. The facility has an Olympic AAU world class swimming pool with a 33-foot diving tower, water slides and speed slides. If you tire of that, you can play water basketball or with other pool toys. The all-natural mineral water ranges in temperature from 102 degrees to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Discover other hot springs when you head south 25 miles to Downata Hot Springs in Downey. The pool, spa and campground are open year-round. The campground offers overnight yurts, tepees, cabins, tents and tent areas.
Tubing and Kayaking
If you like your water cold, then head to the Portneuf River for tubing and kayaking. You can rent equipment in downtown Lava and access the river on the spot. After your water play, camp at the edge of the river at the Lava Spa Motel and RV Park; the park has 15 sites with full hookups available.
Fishing
Pack your fishing gear and fly-fish or shore fish on the Portneuf River for cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout. You can fish the river from the Portneuf Bend Campground in town; it has sites for tents and RVs with power hookups and central water. At Smith's Trout Haven Campground in town, you can spend the night in your tent or RV and wake up to fish the trout pond. You can fish year-round in Lava with a valid Idaho fishing license.
Hiking and Cycling
Make your way north about 15 miles to Caribou-Targhee National Forest and access miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and ATVs. From the Westside Ranger District, closest to Lava, you can access eight campgrounds in the national forest and the surrounding trails. You can tent or RV camp in the forest, although service is minimal; it usually includes water and toilets.
Winter Activities
Strap on your downhill or cross-country skis and visit Pebble Creek Ski Area in Inkom, 20 miles northeast of Lava. The area offers 54 runs on 1,100 acres with double and triple chairs. If you'd rather cross-country or snowshoe, check out the Pebble Creek Camp Grounds, about 16 miles north of Lava. The campground accommodates tents and RVs with picnic tables, drinking water and vault toilets.
Campground Considerations
The public campgrounds in the national forest offer campers fewer amenities than private resorts. In the campgrounds you'll usually have water and a vault toilet; sometimes there are other services. In private campgrounds the services include things such as large RV sites, Internet access, TV, restrooms, laundry facilities and often, swimming pools and hot tubs. Some of the campgrounds are open year-round.
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