Maple Grove Hot Springs, Idaho: Complete Visitor Guide 2026
Maple Grove Hot Springs is a small hot spring in Thatcher, Idaho. It sits next to the Bear River, about 20 miles from Preston and around 2 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah. The place has 6 warm pools, and the water stays between 98°F and 110°F.
Guests can visit for the day or stay the night in a yurt, a stone cabin, or a tent. Booking ahead is a good idea since spots fill up fast. Check more hot spring guides on CATRAVELTIMES before planning the trip.
What Is Maple Grove Hot Springs? Quick Details
Maple Grove Hot Springs occupies land that was traditional migratory territory of the Shoshone people along the Bear River Valley. Homesteaders later used the site, and owner Jordan Menzel restored it as a wellness retreat center, reopening it in June 2019. The property sits at 11386 N Oneida Narrows Rd, Thatcher, ID 83283.
Day soaks cost $18 to $22 per adult, and pool temperatures range from 98°F to 110°F. Google reviewers give the property a 4.6 out of 5 rating from over 340 reviews. Weekday mornings before 11 am tend to be quietest. The next section covers driving directions and parking.
How to Find Maple Grove Hot Springs? Directions & Map
The most reliable route uses US-91 to Highway 34, turning at mile marker 29. Drivers continue past the mailboxes onto a dirt road and follow it about 3 miles to the property. GPS coordinates are 42.3091, -111.7079.
The alternate route through Highway 36 at Riverdale is closed from November through June and stays rough even in summer, so it should be avoided. A 4-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended year-round. The next section shows what the pools and grounds actually look like.
Maple Grove Hot Springs Photos – Scenic Views
The 3 stone pools sit along the riverbank framed by canyon walls, and the creek pool blends into the Bear River. Steam rising off the 165°F source pond makes striking early morning shots. Sunset over the Gathering pool is another favorite angle.
The following section answers the most common questions visitors search before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Maple Grove Hot Springs: The Full Picture
Maple Grove Hot Springs is one stop among many worth exploring. Browse the full hot springs category page for more soaking destinations across the West.
Is There a Maple Grove Hot Springs Promo Code?
Maple Grove Hot Springs does not publish public promo codes. Discounted pricing already applies to children 12 and under, county residents, seniors 65 and older, and military members. The 10-visit Personal Wellness Pass costs $150 and saves $20 to $50 compared with buying single day passes, working like a built-in discount.
How Do You Book Maple Grove Hot Springs Appointments?
Day soaks require an online reservation through the official booking page, since walk-ins are not guaranteed a spot. Guests choose a 3-hour soaking block between 10 am and 9 pm. Overnight guests do not need a separate appointment; their 24-hour hot spring access is included automatically with their unit or campsite booking.
What Are the Current Maple Grove Hot Springs Prices?
Weekday day passes (Monday–Thursday) cost $18 for adults and $15 for children, seniors, county residents, and military. Weekend passes (Friday–Sunday) cost $22 and $18. Nightly units range from $150 to $250, and camping runs $35 to $45 per person. Wilbur Hot Springs offers a similar day-use pricing model for comparison.
What’s the Weather Like at Maple Grove Hot Springs in Thatcher, Idaho?
Thatcher, Idaho sits at roughly 4,900 feet in elevation, so summers stay warm and dry while winters bring heavy snow. Daytime highs reach the 80s°F in July and drop into the 20s°F in January. Winter access requires 4-wheel drive, and Highway 36 closes completely from November through June.
Is Maple Grove Hot Spring in Idaho or Utah?
Maple Grove Hot Springs is physically located in Thatcher, Idaho, not Utah. The confusion comes from its marketing as a retreat 2 hours from Salt Lake City, Utah, and its position just north of the Utah-Idaho state line near the Bear River.
What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Maple Grove Hot Springs?
Pool temperatures at Maple Grove Hot Springs range from 98°F to 110°F depending on the pool, while the unswimmable source ponds reach 160°F to 180°F.
Conditions stay pleasant year-round, though winter soaks pair cold air with hot water for the biggest contrast. The table below breaks down the best time to visit by season.
Packing the right gear helps guests get the most out of any season’s visit.
Things to Do at Maple Grove Hot Springs
Most visitors split time between the mineral pools, the sauna, and the Bear River itself. Others venture into nearby Preston, Idaho, or compare the experience with a similar clothing-optional, community-driven retreat like Sierra Hot Springs back in California.
Soak in the Six Mineral Pools
Located onsite at 11386 N Oneida Narrows Rd, Thatcher, the pools hold a 4.6 Google rating from over 340 reviews. Entry costs $18 to $22 for a 3-hour block, with temperatures between 98°F and 110°F across 6 pools.
Try the Wood-Burning Sauna Ritual
The onsite Nordic-style sauna is complimentary for overnight guests and reservable for day visitors. The self-guided ritual pairs 15-minute heat sessions with a cold plunge in the Bear River, repeated 3 times for full effect.
Paddle the Oneida Narrows Reservoir
Canoes are available onsite for exploring the reservoir that borders the property. The water stays calm most mornings, and wildlife like deer, geese, and swans are common sights along the riverfront during a paddle.
Hike the Canyon Ridge Trails
Trails above the property climb roughly 2 miles round trip and offer the closest reliable cell signal, about 2 miles north. The views stretch across the Bear River canyon and the Oneida Narrows Reservoir below.
Eat at Deer Cliff Inn Restaurant
About 25 minutes from the springs in Preston, Deer Cliff Inn Restaurant holds a 4.6 Google rating. Entrées average $19 to $25, and the riverside patio serves trout, chicken, and scratch-made scones. Cash or check only.
Soak at Bear River Hot Springs in Preston
About 25 minutes south in Preston, this separate commercial hot spring resort holds a 4.0 Google rating with pools, water slides, and a family-friendly atmosphere. It makes a fun contrast to Maple Grove’s quieter, adults-focused setting.
Relax at the River House General Store
The onsite General Store and café serves coffee, snacks, and firewood, with a men’s and women’s bathhouse attached. There is no separate cost to browse; guests only pay for items purchased. It functions as the property’s social hub.
After a full day of soaking and exploring, most visitors want a comfortable place to eat and sleep nearby.
Where to Stay & Eat Near Maple Grove Hot Springs
Preston, Idaho makes the most practical base for anyone not booking an overnight unit onsite. All details below come from Google Maps listings.
Hotels Near Maple Grove Hot Springs
- Plaza Motel Located in Preston at 427 US-91, about 25 minutes from Maple Grove Hot Springs, Plaza Motel holds a 4.2 Google rating. Standard rooms suit 2 guests, with rates typically under $100 a night and simple, classic motel comfort.
- Rocky Mountain Red Brick Inn This bed-and-breakfast at 213 W 1st S in Preston holds a 4.6 Google rating. The converted century-old building offers a handful of rooms with home-cooked breakfast included, priced around $100 to $150 per night for 2 guests.
- Bear River Hot Springs Located at 3696 N 1600 E in Preston, this resort holds a 4.0 Google rating and combines hotel rooms with its own commercial hot spring pools and water slides. Rates run roughly $100 to $180 a night.
Restaurants Near Maple Grove Hot Springs
- Tattles Bar & Grill Located at 790 West Oneida in Preston, Tattles Bar & Grill holds a 4.6 Google rating. The American comfort-food menu features biscuits and gravy, burgers, and full breakfasts, with most entrées priced between $10 and $18.
- Deer Cliff Inn Restaurant Set along the river at 2016 N Deercliff Rd in Preston, Deer Cliff Inn Restaurant holds a 4.6 Google rating. The scratch-made menu includes trout, chicken, and shrimp, with entrées averaging $19 to $25. It opens Thursday through Saturday evenings only, cash or check.
- Polar Bear Eats Located at 516 E 800 S in Preston, Polar Bear Eats holds a 4.3 Google rating. The drive-thru serves burgers, shakes, and English-style chips, with most meals priced between $8 and $14, and outdoor seating only.
What Are People Saying About Maple Grove Hot Springs?
Maple Grove Hot Springs holds a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Google from more than 340 reviews, with most guests praising the peaceful atmosphere and attentive staff.
Couples and solo travelers highlight the quiet, uncrowded pools, while families note the property works better for older kids than toddlers, given the wilderness setting. Travelers who also want to explore soaking spots back home can browse the Hot Springs in California guide for more options.
Final Thoughts on Maple Grove Hot Springs
Maple Grove Hot Springs works well for travelers who want a quiet, low-tech soak rather than a resort with slides and crowds. Couples, solo travelers, and small groups comfortable with rustic amenities get the most from a visit. Families needing constant Wi-Fi or close supervision around open water for young kids may want to look elsewhere.
Guests craving a more rugged, hike-in soak can compare notes with California’s Deep Creek Hot Springs for a different kind of adventure. One practical detail: reservations are required for day soaks, and Highway 34 at mile marker 29 is the only reliable route. Book ahead for a peaceful soak.
FAQs About Maple Grove Hot Springs
Q. How much does it cost to visit Maple Grove Hot Springs?
A. Weekday day passes cost $18 for adults and $15 for discounted guests. Weekend passes cost $22 and $18.
Q. Do you need a reservation for Maple Grove Hot Springs?
A. Yes. Day soaks require booking a 3-hour block online in advance, since walk-ins are not guaranteed access.
Q. Are dogs allowed at Maple Grove Hot Springs?
A. Pet policies are covered in the property’s Center Guidelines, which every guest must review and accept before arrival.
Q. Is camping available at Maple Grove Hot Springs?
A. Yes. Tent and van camping cost $35 to $45 per person per night, and children under 3 stay free.
Q. Is Maple Grove Hot Springs safe for kids?
A. Kids are welcome, though the source ponds reach 160°F to 180°F and are strictly off-limits for swimming or wading.
Q. Is Wi-Fi available at Maple Grove Hot Springs?
A. No. The property runs Wi-Fi-free by design, though guest cell service is available roughly 2 miles north.
Q. What should I bring to Maple Grove Hot Springs?
A. Pack a swimsuit, towel, pool shoes, sunscreen, a headlamp, and a cooler, since the property sits off-grid.
