Maple Grove Hot Springs

What to expect

Maple Grove Hot Springs sits on the Bear River in far southeast Idaho, at the north end of Oneida Narrows Reservoir near the small farm town of Thatcher. It is a privately run retreat center on 45 acres, not a water park and not a wild spring. The owners run it off-grid, and the whole place is set up around quiet soaking.

The water starts very hot. The center lists its upper source pond at more than 180°F82°C and a lower pond at over 160°F71°C, and older references put the spring at about 172°F78°C. That water is cooled before it feeds the soaking pools, which run roughly 100-107°F38-42°C. Because the pools are fed by flowing spring water, they are not chlorinated. Swimming in the source ponds is strictly banned, and with water that hot, the rule is there for a reason.

There are six pools. The center describes three circular stone pools, one natural creek pool and a larger Gathering pool, and suggests starting at a waterfall rinse that runs about 102°F39°C before you choose a pool. The pools are for soaking, not swimming laps or splashing.

Around the pools you will find a river beach, hiking trails, canoe and paddle board rentals, a River House with bathrooms and showers, and a small store and snack bar. The center also lists a sauna and runs yoga, workshops and private group retreats.

History

The local Shoshone people used these springs long before settlers arrived. The Hopkins family homesteaded the land in the early 1900s, which is why some maps and reference lists still call it Hopkins Hot Springs. The site took the Maple Grove name in 1945 and ran as a commercial plunge into the 1960s, then passed through several owners. Jordan Menzel and a group of investors bought it in 2019. At that point the pools needed serious repair and cleaning, and the current retreat center grew out of that rebuild.

Getting there

Maple Grove lies northeast of Preston, the nearest sizable town, up the Bear River from the Oneida Narrows dam. The street address is 11386 Oneida Narrows Rd, Thatcher, ID 83283.

• Spring to fall: From Preston, head out on State Highway 36 and turn onto Oneida Narrows Road, which follows the Bear River and the reservoir north to the property. Logan, Utah, is the nearest city if you are coming from the south: take US-91 north to Preston first.
• Winter: The center says Highway 36 is closed in winter (its own FAQ gives the closure as running from November into late spring). Use Highway 34 instead. Turn off at mile marker 29, by the mailboxes, and follow a dirt road for about 3 miles. All-wheel drive or 4x4 is required in snow.

Map apps are not always reliable out here, and cell signal fades as you get close. Save the directions from the center’s map page before you leave Preston. Parking is on site. The center asks drivers to park quickly and keep engines and headlights off as much as possible once they arrive.

When to go

The center is open year-round, every day except Wednesday, which is pool-cleaning day. It also closes for some private events and maintenance, and those dates go on the online calendar. Check it before you drive out.

Late spring to fall is the easy time. The main road is open, the river beach is usable, and paddle boards are part of the day. Weekdays are cheaper and calmer than weekends.

Winter is quieter and the hot pools feel best in cold air, but the drive takes more planning. The center does not refund bookings missed because of road closures, weather or delays, so watch the forecast and leave extra time.

Prices and booking

All day soaks must be booked ahead, online or by phone, in 3-hour blocks. Public hours are 10 am to 9 pm.

2026 day soak prices from the center’s website:

• Monday to Thursday: $18 adults, $15 discount rate.
• Friday to Sunday: $22 adults, $18 discount rate.
• Discount rate applies to children 12 and under, seniors 65 and over, county residents and military.
• 10-visit pass: $150, for one person only.

Overnight guests get 24-hour access to the pools and the rest of the property. The center lists furnished canvas tents, yurts, stone shelters and cabins at about $150 to $250 a night, and tent or van camping at roughly $35 to $45 per person. Camping is free for kids under 3. Check-in is at 3 pm and checkout at 11 am, and you can keep soaking until 4 pm after checkout.

Bring your own towel, pool shoes and warm layers. Towels are for sale at the store if you forget. Robes come with the overnight units.

Rules and etiquette

Maple Grove is stricter than most Idaho hot springs, and it enforces its guidelines. Guests over 18 sign a waiver, and people who break the rules can be asked to leave without a refund.

• Swimsuits required in the pools and on the grounds.
• No alcohol or drugs anywhere on the property, including campsites.
• No glass at the pools, on the shore or on the grounds.
• Quiet hours. Silence in the pools once the stars are out, and quiet in camp from 10:30 pm to 8 am. No outside music, radios or generators.
• Kids are welcome, but there is no lifeguard and minors must be with an adult. No diving, splashing or horseplay.
• Dogs must be leashed and cannot be tied up near the pools.
• No outside guests in the campground or lodging units unless they are registered.

Where to stay nearby

The simplest plan is to stay on site. Booking a yurt, cabin or campsite covers your soaking and lets you use the pools after the day crowd leaves. Each site has a picnic table, and the communal fire pits have cooking grills, but cooking inside the lodging units is not allowed.

If Maple Grove is full, Preston is the nearest town with motels, groceries and fuel. Logan, Utah, south across the state line, has the widest choice of hotels and restaurants in the region.

Safety notes

• Source ponds: The upper and lower ponds run at about 160°F71°C and higher. Stay out of them and keep children well away.
• Pool heat: The hottest pools reach about 107°F42°C. Start in a cooler pool, keep soaks short and drink water.
• Winter driving: The Highway 34 approach is a dirt road. Carry chains or use a capable vehicle, and do not count on cell signal if you get stuck.
• Footing: Stone pool edges and river rocks get slick. Wear sandals or water shoes between pools.