Bear Lake Hot Springs (Epic Hot Springs)

What to expect

Bear Lake Hot Springs is a small, old-fashioned soaking stop on the north shore of Bear Lake, the big turquoise lake that straddles the Idaho-Utah line. Most people still call it by that name, but it now operates as Epic Hot Springs & Rentals, run by Epic Recreation, which also rents boats and personal watercraft on the beach. Visit Idaho’s listing notes the change of name.

The setup is simple. Hot water from the ground is piped into outdoor pools a short walk from a sandy beach. An independent directory, updated in 2024, describes two large pools, each big enough for a crowd, with the source at about 115°F46°C and the pools at roughly 95-103°F35-39°C depending on the season. Visit Idaho says the springs put out about 75,000 gallons a day. The water is not chlorinated or otherwise treated; it flows through the pools instead. Expect a mild sulfur smell.

This is not a polished spa. A fire long ago destroyed the resort’s cabins and its two-story hotel, and only one original building survives. It now holds the office, a small cafe, a game room and the changing rooms. Older listings also mention a camp store with snacks, drinks, ice and camping supplies. Treat it as a laid-back beach-day soak rather than a full-service resort.

Getting there

The springs are at 6668 North Beach Road, St. Charles, ID 83272, on the northeast corner of Bear Lake.

• From St. Charles: Turn east off US 89 onto North Beach Road and drive about 6.7 miles along the north end of the lake. The springs are on the right. The road is paved and any car can make it.
• From Montpelier: Head south on US 89 toward St. Charles, then take North Beach Road east as above.
• From Logan, Utah: Take US 89 over Logan Canyon to Garden City, then north along the west shore to St. Charles and onto North Beach Road.

Parking is next to the building, and the pools are a few steps away. There is no hike.

When to go

The hot springs run seasonally. Independent listings give the soaking season as May through September, and Visit Idaho states the springs are closed through the winter. Epic Recreation’s own summer hours run Memorial Day to Labor Day, with reduced, call-ahead hours in September and October.

The operator has also closed the pools early when the geothermal source temperature has fluctuated. Its hot springs page has carried a notice saying the pools were closed for the winter season “effective immediately” and would reopen in spring once temperatures settle. Opening and closing dates are not fixed, so check the page or phone before you go, especially in May or September.

June and September are the easiest months. The lake is busy all summer, and North Beach fills with boaters and families on July and August weekends. Weekday mornings are the quietest time to soak.

Prices and booking

Neither Epic Recreation nor Visit Idaho posts current hot springs prices online. There is a day-use fee. Call (208) 242-8589 for rates and hours. Epic’s main office number is (435) 946-3742.

What is known about the rules:

• Swimsuits are required. This is a family-friendly commercial pool.
• No soap or shampoo in the pools.
• Pets are allowed on a leash around the grounds but not in the pools.
• Epic asks rental customers to sign a waiver online before they arrive. Ask whether that applies to soaking when you call.

Epic’s watercraft rentals at North Beach are booked separately online. Its published rental rules (age 18 and over to rent, no alcohol before or during a rental) apply to the boats and machines, not the pools.

Where to stay nearby

• At the springs: Visit Idaho lists camping. A 2024 directory describes 34 RV hookups and tent sites open May to September. Call to confirm what is open and what it costs.
• Bear Lake State Park: Idaho’s state park has sites on North Beach and East Beach, a short drive away.
• St. Charles and Fish Haven: Small cabins, vacation rentals and motels line US 89 on the Idaho side.
• Garden City, Utah: The main town on the lake, on the Utah shore to the south, has the most lodging, restaurants and the well-known raspberry shake stands.
• Montpelier: The nearest Idaho town with full services and motels, north of the lake on US 89.

Safety notes

• Untreated water: The pools are not chlorinated. Skip a soak if you have open cuts or a weakened immune system, and keep your head above the water.
• Heat and sun: At about 6,000 feet, the sun is strong and the air is dry. Drink water and take breaks from the hot pools, especially with kids.
• Lake conditions: Bear Lake is cold and wind can build quickly in the afternoon. If you rent a boat or paddleboard, get off the water when whitecaps show up.
• Changing dates: Do not rely on the season dates above. Call before a long drive.

Nearby stops worth adding

The rest of southeast Idaho has several more developed hot springs within a couple of hours’ drive. Lava Hot Springs, to the northwest, has large state-run pools open year-round. Closer by, the north end of Bear Lake has a national wildlife refuge with birding marshes, and Paris, just north of St. Charles, has a striking 1880s Mormon tabernacle built from red sandstone.