Miracle Hot Springs Renovation FAIL Delay

Miracle’s grand reopening was on December 15th. I finally made a break for it on Saturday, a couple days later. After arriving I chatted with the front desk agent and found out that the two new public pools were complete, but awaiting to pass inspection. Hence, the emptiness. The new private rooms? Nope, not finished yet. They are coming along nicely, however. No offense Miracle, but I could have hiked around the forest and soaked in a non-commercial soak for much less $ in gas and fees. But, no. I just had to see the goods…

The entire complex had new paint on the stucco, many pool cracks mended, new restroom facilities (actually open and super nice) and was looking pretty good in general. Sadly, the view from my little window in the private soaking room was of garbage, cig butts and construction debris. There was a little bird…

… and of course the soak too, which was stellar, as usual per Miracle. pH tested at 7+

That concludes my once a year sojourn to Miracle Hot Springs. Until next time…

View All Miracle Hot Springs Posts

View Miracle Hot Springs Pictures, Video and Trip Reports on IdahoHotSprings.com

The Warm Springs Resort in Idaho City, Idaho is Set to Re-Open Summer 2012 as “The Springs”

Warm Springs Resort January 15, 1884

This is indeed excellent news! It was originally posted on The Springs Website that they would open this winter. However, paying attention to detail has moved the launch to this summer. To be honest, it is really awesome to see The Springs reach-out and involve the community.

I’ve been very fortunate to have been involved with a number of commercial hot springs in the northwest over the years, and was pretty stoked when contacted by the General Manager of The Springs, Wyatt Sharpley, for input and an invite to The Springs prior to opening. Are you kidding? Yes please! How could I resist a backstage pass like that. Regardless, I am really looking forward to visiting. This crew definitely seems to have their stuff together.

Classic Warm Springs Resort Photos

From what I’ve learned, The Springs are very interested in hot springer feedback and making sure their geothermal establishment plays an integral role in both Idaho City and Boise communities. In fact, the grand opening has been timed to match-up with Idaho City’s 150th Anniversary. Join the conversation on The Springs Facebook Fan Page.

Quite a few of my hot springs brethren have fond memories and stories of the old Warm Springs Resort in Idaho City. I never had the chance to visit before it went offline. Back in those days, I was traveling a lot and wasn’t too interested in commercial soaks.

There has even been discussion about making The Springs clothing optional, which would make it the first commercial hot springs in Idaho to do just that. The only other clothing optional option in Idaho is a private soak at Miracle Hot Springs, where you can acquire a private pool. Miracle is re-opening on December 15th (this Thursday) with upgraded facilities in the form of new public and private pools.

The Springs Lowdown

Overnight accommodations? Yep. They’ve got two Airstream trailers with future plans for a tree fort, yurt and geodesic dome, which may even be available summer 2012.

Natural pools? You bet. Check out the photo below… you gotta love this, a rare treat for a commercial hot springs dare I say? They took what Gold Fork has done in terms of keeping it natural a step further with this little soaker.

Natural Pool at The Springs

From the Official Press Release

The Springs will be a significant upgrade from the old Warm Springs Resort. The main Olympic size pool remains, but will be resurfaced and more underwater benches will line the deep end for soaking. Next to the deep end of the main pool there will be a 15 foot round hot pool filled the hottest spring water of about 105F. Along with a fire pit, it will help create a winter outdoor space. There will be a cold soak feature and a new kiddie pool and well as a large rock water fountain that will provide a calming background sound.

The new building is one story, with a flat roof, so no matter where you are in the pool you can see the full night sky and watch the stars as you take an evening soak.

The modest building is only 2,400 sq. ft. and is constructed using Faswall building blocks, a green building material made of recycled wood fiber and concrete. The thick walls and natural plaster interior finish help create a cozy and warm environment. The building has a large glass wall entry that leads to an open reception area with a wood burning stove. Men’s and Women’s changing rooms offer private lockers, hot springs showers, and small amenities like complimentary hot teas and spring water, large towels and luxury shampoo, conditioner and moisturizer.

“There will be a lot of nice, simple touches that make guests feel well taken care of, but nothing fancy or pretentious.” Said Sharpley. “It’s about being warm and hospitable and exceeding guests’ expectations. When a guest comes here they should not have to worry about anything, least of all having to remember to bring a towel or having a safe convenient place to stash their things.”

The Springs will have a small snack bar and a place to grab a drink.

There are plans for an ongoing summer music concert series and well as live music by the pool. Quarterly celebrations will mark the seasons and create memorable annual events, including a winter festival of lights and a fall harvest festival.

Pricing for The Springs has yet to be finalized.

The Springs Idaho City Full Press Release PDF

The Springs Olympic Sized Pool

So, you’ve finally got some extra time and hot springs have been on your mind. Good news ole chap, there are plenty of options for the intrepid soak-seeker!

Old man winter may be hindering access to many of Idaho’s geothermal delights, but not all of them.

The quintessential hot springs listed below are usually accessible during Idaho’s winter months. Just to be safe, make sure to check road conditions before rolling out.

Boise, Idaho Area Winter Hot Springs

Fairly accessible, family friendly, privately owned, with facilities of some sort and with a usage fee:

• Gold Fork Hot Springs - view all posts
• Miracle Hot Springs - view all posts (has private pool options)
• Roy Stone Hot Springs - view all posts

Accessible via short hike (snowshoes may be needed), family friendly, located on public land, no facilities, no fees:

• Bonneville Hot Springs - view all posts (snowshoes advised)
• Pine Flats Hot Springs - view all posts
• Kirkham Hot Springs - view all posts
• Hot Springs Campground - view all posts

There are, of course, many other public and commercial hot springs. However, the springs listed above are the most (relatively) accessible from the Boise area during the winter months.

First time hot springing in Idaho? Check out the guides, pick up all trash and don’t bring glass – and enjoy!

Located near the quaint recreation towns of Cascade and Donnelly, deep within Central Idaho’s rugged mountains, lies Gold Fork Hot Springs. I actually saw people drinking massive amounts of water right out of the hot springs on this trip! I know Gold Fork has some of the best quality of water around, but really? The water feels a little different here, heavier, and softer.

Video Features: The hike out to the soak shack, inside the soak shack overview, hot springs pool and soak

View the complete listing for the Mountain Village Resort, located in Stanley, Idaho.

It is surely Spring. The time when Idaho commercial hot springs owners and operators begin sending in their updates to IdahoHotSprings.com.

New info. has been added/updated for the following commercial (fee use) hot springs located in Idaho:

1. Indian Springs Hot Springs Resort and RV Park (see previous post for info.)
2. Easley Hot Springs in Idaho: listing and link update
3. Durfee Hot Springs in Almo, Idaho: Google Map location update and new listing added
4. Riverside Inn & Hot Springs in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho: listing update
5. Riverdale Resort Hot Springs in Idaho: listing and link update

Related Links:

View Interactive Map of All Commercial Hot Springs in Idaho

Looks enticing, and reminds of Gold Fork Hot Springs, near Donnelly and Tamarack in Idaho.

The below map features every commercial hot springs in Idaho that I have information on. Please leave a comment if you know of another that should be on the map.

View Larger Map

KXLY recently ran a story on Red River Hot Springs in Idaho. Here’s the video clip:

Here’s the article

Looks like a nice soak for a commercial hot springs.

View a map of commercial hot springs in Idaho

Nestled in a mountain forest near Donnelly, Cascade and McCall Idaho lies the holy grail of all commercial or privately owned hot springs in Idaho. The water at Gold Fork Hot Springs is top-quality; meaning it is 100% natural, has an incredible alkaline rating and contains other minerals that are great for the skin and body. Even the wooden decking is all-natural and has a 50yr life span – untreated. It’s the same wood used on the boardwalk in Atlantic City. I’ve been to many hot springs, and Gold Fork by far, is my favorite commercial soak.

There are 6 incredibly designed pools to soak in, and if you enjoy natural backcountry hot springs you will feel right at home here. The water is smooth and slick, featuring an Alkaline Ph of +9. Not to mention that all 6 pools flow-through in 4 hours! Lithium is the most prominent mineral in the water followed by potassium, calcium, sodium, fluoride, chloride, arsenic and boron. Gold Fork has many repeat visitors that come for the healing properties of the water. Stories of folks traveling up to the hot springs once a week to soak and fill up a couple jugs of water are common here, as are stories of ailments and illness – gone, after soaking in Gold Fork’s healing waters.

The owners strive to keep the hot springs and surrounding area as natural as possible. The hot springs are well monitored, and disruptive soakers are politely asked to leave. Although there are no overnight/camping accommodations on-site, the owners do have plans for a few rooms in the future. There is however, plenty of great National Forest camping nearby, along with an assortment of hotels and motels in Donnelly, Cascade and McCall.

Gold Fork Hot Springs is located in Central Idaho, near the quaint mountain town of Donnelly. Gold Fork is a 90 minute drive from Boise and a mere 15 minutes from Cascade. It’s open and accessible year-round, including all holidays.

Gold Fork also utilizes geothermal energy; the boardwalk and many places around the hot springs and in other areas are heated by geothermal power.

Sorry RVers, no hook-ups or overnight parking is available. However, there are future plans for overnight accommodations.

Gold Fork feature 6 pools, with temperatures from hot to cool, with hydromassage. One of the pools features a soft, white sand bottom with sand from Emmett, Idaho. Changing rooms, towel and swimsuit rentals, restrooms, handicap parking and restrooms are also available.

Directions
Getting to Gold Fork is easy. From either Donnelly (north) or Cascade (south) head toward mile marker 128 on Highway 55, you are looking for Plant Road and a sign for Gold Fork. Head east on Plant road and follow the blue Gold Fork signs for 6.6 miles. The first 2.6 miles are paved, the rest is on a graded dirt road. The entire length of the road is maintained and plowed the entire year.

08.11.07 Trip Report

I will from now on refer to Gold Fork as the holy grail of all commercial hot springs. The agenda of the owners is beyond noble, water mineral quality is incredible and soak entirely stellar. I was lucky enough to receive a personal invite to the hot springs, and meet with one of the owners and a volunteer.

Gold Fork Hot Springs has a colorful history. And, in hot springing circles has been a well-know soak since time began. Back in the 80s, Boise Cascade (now known as just Boise) owned the land. This was when Boise Cascade was dynamiting hot springs because they didn’t want to deal with the liability of people getting hurt at them. They left Gold Fork alone though, it was too large…. too dangerous to even blow up. So they sold it. The next 15 years it changed hands many times until finally ending up with the current owners/caretakers. Mother and daughter, Brenda and Kelly are now taking great care of an incredible hot springs, and have no plans to sell it. They just want to keep it as natural as possible.

Paula, a volunteer at Gold Fork on Friday and Saturday, has been visiting the hot springs since 1963. She helped clue me in on some of Gold Fork’s history, and showed me a Gold Fork photograph of hers from that time. Paula and Brenda were both excellent. I unfortunately, was not able to meet with Kelly, but have talked with her via e-mail a few times. It’s so great to see a hot springs in such good hands.

According to Brenda, “we only want people here who respect the water”. What more else could anyone want? Gold Fork is clean, well cared for, has incredibly soft water and is in a natural setting. RVers, partiers, unruly children and adults – head on down the road to Zims. If you respect the water, then Gold Fork is a must soak.

Rating A+

Take a 1 Minute Gold Fork Tour!

View the complete listing for Gold Fork Hot Springs on IdahoHotSprings.com