Adventure Cycling Association

With apologies to the old saying “Stop and smell the roses,” if you’re going to stop while riding Adventure Cycling’s Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route, it really shouldn’t be for flowers.

With 40 different natural (what the name suggests) and developed (think: hotel swimming pool) hot springs along our 517.5-mile bikepacking route, you’ll find many, many reasons for a sojourn. And because you likely can’t visit all of them, here are a few of our favorite pools to kickstart — and kickstop — your bike tour.

1. Most ‘Grammable: Mountain Village Resort

Pool temperature range: 98°F to 104°F

Know before you go: Resort guests get first dibs on reservations.

If you’ve spent more than 30 seconds on Instagram, you know that social media has a tendency to make things look better than they are. But in some instances, the truth’s even better: When the barn doors of the Mountain Village Resort’s private tubs slide open, up to 10 soakers are rewarded with a panoramic view of the Sawtooth Mountains. You won’t want to spend all of your time with a roof over your head, however. The resort sits within the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve, which means you’ll see stars shining over the silhouetted mountains sans excessive light pollution. Pro tip: If you’re visiting on a weekend, be sure to look over the resort’s rotating specials such as the Weekend Waffle, recent iterations of which have included the Kaua’i Sunrise and Graceland Gangster waffle. After all, you need the carbs, right?

2. Most Iconic: Kirkham Hot Springs

Pool temperature range: The source pool provides water at 120°F, while the waterfalls range from 95°F to 110°F

Know before you go: While the parking lot is open from the end of May through the end of September, the pools are open all year.

Is it arguably Idaho’s best-known hot spring? Yep. Is there a good reason for that? Absolutely. With ten tiered geothermal pools burbling among wildflowers and ponderosa pines, Kirkham has the distinction of being one of most beautiful spots along the route. What really sets it apart, however, is the way the water flows: Small, cascading waterfalls create natural showers perfect for weary cyclists. One of the best parts about this spring — and undoubtedly one of the reasons for its popularity — is its ease-of-access just steps from Highway 21 on the South Fork of the Payette River.

3. Best for Post-Ride Pampering: Gold Fork River Hot Springs

Pool temperature range: Six pools ranging from 85°F to 110°F

Know before you go: Adults $12, children 3–11 $8, under 3 free; cash only; no reservations required; closed on Tuesdays

For cyclists looking for a cushy respite, the Gold Fork Hot Springs in the foothills of the North Fork Range is sure to check all of your boxes. Heated yurt changing rooms with free lockers. Geothermally heated sidewalks. Hydrotherapy jets. Heck, the pools themselves feature tiled bottoms and brushed metal handrails. But there’s something far posher that’s harder to spot with the naked eye: The six pools are rich in minerals — namely, lithium, potassium, calcium, and sodium — creating a highly alkaline soak that some health-seekers swear by.

4. Most Cliffy: Pine Flats Hot Springs

Pool temperature range: 97°F to 110°F

Know before you go: The springs are down a roughly quarter-mile trail.

In the grand scheme of Idaho hot springs, it can be a little tough ranking one location over another, but when a waterfall-fed pool has been carved into a cliff overlooking the river below? Well, that gives it a bit of a ratings boost. Located in the Boise National Forest, Pine Flats is tucked along the Payette River and, as its name suggests, set off by towering Ponderosa pines. Although the spring feels like a secluded forest retreat, these vistas do generate a significant crowd, so consider a weekday soak if your tour schedule allows. If you’re ready to post up for the night, reserve one of the 24 Forest Service campsites at the adjacent campground. (Note: The campground is currently closed, but should reopen by late June.)

5. Most Fairy-Tale: Bonneville Hot Springs

Pool temperature range: Source water is 120°F, with the tub around 106°F

Know before you go: USFS campsites can be reserved at Bonneville Campground.

Many of the rustic pools along the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route could be easily compared to untouched, fairy-tale landscapes. But Bonneville takes it up a notch (or ten) due to the whimsy of the place, whether that’s its candle-lit wooden shack with an iron tub, stone labyrinth, or, based on one blogger’s experience, a self-identified caretaker-slash-“Hot Springs Wizard” who keeps vigil over the area with his golden retriever.

Bonus: Best Full Spa Experience at Route Start/End: The Springs resort (Idaho City)

Know before you go: Visits are reservation-only.

With a main pool, a super-hot soaking tub, four private tubs, a cold-water splash deck, and a 12-person geothermal steam room, The Springs resort offers the broadest range of thermal experiences on the IHSMBR. Because Idaho City also kicks off and caps the route, consider this both a send-off soak and your homecoming reward.