Green Canyon Hot Springs

What to expect

Green Canyon Hot Springs is a family swimming resort tucked into a dry side canyon at the base of the Big Hole Mountains, east of Rexburg in the upper Snake River Valley. It is less a soaking spot than a place where local families have taught their kids to swim for generations, with a campground attached.

The centerpiece is a large indoor swimming pool filled with spring water and kept at about 96-100°F36-38°C, which is warm enough to stay in for a long time without overheating. Alongside it the resort runs a hot pool listed at 105°F41°C and a cold pool at about 55°F13°C for anyone who wants the hot-cold routine. Visit Idaho describes the resort as having both indoor and outdoor pools.

The spring rises at the foot of the hill, a little east of the pool building, at 115°F46°C. According to the resort’s own history, the water carries magnesium, lime and a trace of iron but no sulfur, so it does not have the eggy smell common at many Idaho springs. A large white rock east of the pool is a lime deposit, and it is the reason the place was developed in the first place.

History

The resort’s history, written by co-owner Phil Neibaur for the 2003 centennial, traces the spring back to Native people who camped in the area, and says members of the Astorian expeditions (Wilson Price Hunt’s party in 1811 and Robert Stuart’s party in 1812) camped and soaked here.

The business began in 1903. Brothers John E. and James H. Pincock took a contract to supply lime for the new sugar factory at Sugar City, and the nearest lime deposit was at this spring. They bought the spring from a local man named Butler and filed for the water right in 1898. Their lime kiln still stands. John E. Pincock and his sons dug the first small pool into the hillside, then built a bathhouse with three small pools, and in 1912 opened a large cement pool with water piped across the road. It was called Pincock Springs, and federal maps still name the source Pincock Hot Springs. Visit Idaho says the property has been in the same family since 1953.

Getting there

Green Canyon Hot Springs is at 2432 Canyon Creek Road, Newdale.

• From Rexburg: Take Idaho Highway 33 east through Sugar City toward Newdale and Teton Valley.
• Turnoff: At milepost 116 on Highway 33, turn south and drive about 4 miles to the resort.
• From Driggs or Teton Valley: Come west on Highway 33 over the hills toward Newdale and turn south at the same milepost.

The final road drops into the canyon on a grade that the resort’s history says once stalled early cars climbing out. Take it slowly in snow.

When to go

Summer has the longest hours, from noon on weekdays and from 10 am on Saturdays, running until 10 pm. It is also when swim camps run in the mornings and families fill the campground, so afternoons and evenings can be busy.

Off-season (Labor Day to Memorial Day) hours are short. The pools open only Monday, Tuesday and Friday evenings from 5 to 9 pm and Saturday from noon to 9 pm. A warm indoor pool on a snowy Saturday is the reason to come in winter.

The posted schedule lists no Sunday hours in any season. Hours can change, so call before driving out of town.

Prices and booking

• Admission: Charged at the door. Rates are not posted on the website. Call (208) 458-4454.
• Swimming: No reservation needed during public hours.
• Pool rentals: The pool can be rented for private groups through the website.
• Swim camps: Week-long camps run Monday to Friday with two one-hour lessons a day, ten lessons in all, taught by Red Cross certified instructors. Children are usually at least five. Spots book roughly a year in advance, and swim camp families get 40% off camping.
• Camping: Booked online by site.

Wear a swimsuit. ATVs are not allowed at the resort itself; they are permitted from about half a mile up the road.

Where to stay nearby

On site. The campground has sites numbered up to 55 in the canyon: tent sites without hookups, many sites with water and electric, five full-hookup sites, and group sites that combine two sites, plus a shelter for gatherings. All are reserved through the resort’s website. Horseshoes are available on request, and hiking, fishing and bike riding are possible nearby.

Towns. Rexburg has the closest chain hotels, restaurants and groceries. Driggs, over the hills in Teton Valley, has lodging closer to the Tetons. The resort pitches itself as a base within reach of Yellowstone country.

Safety notes

• Hot pool: At 105°F41°C, the hot pool is for short soaks. Get out and cool off if you feel light-headed.
• Cold plunge: Ease into the 55°F13°C pool, especially if you have a heart condition.
• Kids: The swimming pool is big and busy in summer. Keep young children within reach.
• Ears: The resort itself suggests drying ears after each swim during swim camp weeks, since repeated swimming can lead to ear infections.
• Winter road: The drive into the canyon can be icy. Use winter tires.

Nearby stops worth adding

Heise Hot Springs, on the South Fork of the Snake River east of Idaho Falls, is the other long-running family hot springs resort in this part of the state. From Green Canyon, Highway 33 continues into Teton Valley, where Driggs and Victor sit under the west face of the Tetons.