Quick FactsOverview
About Riverside Inn and Hot Springs
Riverside Inn and Hot Springs, Idaho is a historic adults-only boutique hotel at 255 East Portneuf Street in downtown Lava Hot Springs, on the bank of the Portneuf River. Built in 1914 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The property features 18 individually decorated guest rooms, three private indoor geothermal soaking rooms, one outdoor soaking barrel, a restaurant and lounge, a lobby cafe, on-site spa with massage therapy, meeting space, and parking. The geothermal water reaches the surface at 112 degrees Fahrenheit and is cooled to 102 to 106 degrees for soaking. Water flows continuously through all rooms, requiring no chemical treatment. The Lava Hot Springs mineral water is odorless, distinguishing it from many other Idaho spring sources.
Hot spring access is reserved for overnight guests only, who must book soaking sessions in advance for 30-minute slots. The property is adults only for guests 20 years of age or older. The Portneuf Grille and Lounge serves dinner nightly. The Cafe and A'more opens each morning.
For those seeking hot springs in Idaho in a fine-dining boutique hotel setting, the Riverside Inn is a distinctive option. The Lava Hot Springs Foundation World Famous Hot Pools are a short walk away for guests wanting additional soaking time beyond their private sessions.
Location & Access
Getting to Riverside Inn and Hot Springs
Riverside Inn and Hot Springs is at 255 East Portneuf Street in downtown Lava Hot Springs, approximately 35 miles southeast of Pocatello via I-15 and US-30. From Pocatello, take I-15 South to exit 47 for US-30 East, then follow US-30 East into Lava Hot Springs. The hotel is one block off Main Street on Portneuf Street, next to the Portneuf River. Drive time from Pocatello is approximately 35 to 40 minutes. From Salt Lake City, the drive north on I-15 and east on US-30 takes approximately two and a half hours.
On-site parking is available for hotel guests. The property is staffed 24 hours a day. Lava Hot Springs is a compact town and the hotel is within walking distance of the Foundation Hot Pools 0.2 miles away, the town's shops, and its restaurants.
For those seeking hot springs in Idaho at a full-service boutique hotel, Lava Hot Springs is the most developed hot spring town in the state with several hotel properties. The Riverside Inn is the only adults-only full-service hotel in town. Guests with children under 20 should consider alternative properties. Soaking sessions must be reserved in advance for 30-minute slots; confirm availability when booking a room through riversideinnhotsprings.com or by calling (208) 776-5504.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Riverside Inn and Hot Springs
Riverside Inn and Hot Springs suits adults seeking a quiet, historically distinctive hotel experience in Lava Hot Springs with private on-site hot spring access. The adults-only policy - guests must be 20 years of age or older - makes this the appropriate choice for couples, solo travelers, and adult groups rather than families with children. The intimate scale of 18 rooms and private soaking rooms creates a more personal atmosphere than the larger, busier public pool facilities nearby.
The private indoor soaking rooms are clothing optional and are reserved in 30-minute slots. The outdoor soaking barrel requires swimwear. All guests must make soaking reservations in advance. Hot springs access is not available to day visitors or non-guests of the hotel.
The property does not list wheelchair accessibility, noting its historic building status as a constraint. Visitors with specific mobility needs should contact the inn directly before booking to confirm what areas of the property are currently accessible. The inn is pet-friendly for dogs and cats in guestrooms, with size limitations that should be confirmed before booking.
For those seeking a quieter and more intimate hot springs experience in Lava Hot Springs compared to the large public pools, the Riverside Inn provides a private alternative. The Portneuf Grille and Lounge on site means guests can have a full dinner experience without leaving the property. Massage therapy services are available by appointment on Wednesdays through Sundays.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Riverside Inn and Hot Springs
Riverside Inn and Hot Springs is generally safe as a staffed historic hotel with managed soaking access. The geothermal water flows continuously at 102 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit through the private soaking rooms without chemical treatment. Enter the soaking room gradually, test the temperature before sitting, and note that the standard session limit is 30 minutes per reservation.
The water at Lava Hot Springs is odorless and contains a natural mineral composition. No sulfur odor is present. The soaking rooms are private and self-managed during each session with no attendant present. If the water feels too hot at arrival, allow a few minutes for the room temperature to settle or use the overflow adjustment in the room.
The Riverside Inn building dates to 1914 and has the physical characteristics of a historic structure, including older stairways, narrow corridors, and room layouts that differ from modern hotels. Visitors should expect a building with the character and constraints of its age. Exterior doors lock after 11pm and can be accessed by guests with room keys.
Emergency services for Lava Hot Springs are provided through Bannock County. The nearest hospital with emergency services is in Pocatello, approximately 35 miles away. The inn is staffed around the clock. The Portneuf River runs adjacent to the property and river tubing is popular in town; visitors combining a stay with tubing should treat the river as a separate activity with its own safety considerations.
