Banbury Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Banbury Hot Springs is a resort hot spring listed near Buhl, Idaho. Reported soak temperature: 102°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Current status
Century-old geothermal resort on the Snake River in Hagerman Valley (~8.7 mi west of Buhl) — REOPENED in 2026 after being closed since fall 2022 for septic/infrastructure work; big artesian-fed pool (89-102F off a 138F source) with diving board runs Mon-Sat 10:30am-9:30pm, closed Sundays; private 8-person hot pools rentable for $15/1.5hr on top of admission; limited RV/van camping and Blue Heart Springs paddle rentals also restarting.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 6 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
A town base for Snake River Valley soaks near Buhl and Hagerman.
Twin Falls is about 23 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Reservation or permission required — confirm via Banbury Hot Springs — official site (home, swim, camping, FAQ).
- Cost: Reported $12 — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: Developed resort — confirm operating hours and any reservation requirement.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 102°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; pets reported not allowed — confirm current rules.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None — day admission (adult 16-59 $14, child 4-15 $10, senior 60+ $8, infant 0-3 $3) or online reservation
- Booking: Reservation required.
- Best time to go: Weekday afternoons; weekends book out during the limited-capacity reopening phase
- Clothing reality: Swimsuits required — family swim facility.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: spotty — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Large pool with 2.5-ft shallow end and steps; 10-ft deep end with diving board — call for ramp/lift specifics
- Closed Sundays; hours are 'Spring Season' Mon-Sat 10:30am-9:30pm — historically seasonal (spring-fall), verify winter operation by phone
- Official pages conflict: FAQ still says 'by reservation only' during limited-capacity reopening while Swim page says 'no reservation required' for general admission — booking ahead via resbit.io recommended
- Private individual hot pools ($15/1.5hr, 8-person cap) REQUIRE general admission on top
- Facility is 100+ years old and mid-renovation — expect ongoing work; septic replacement was due June 2026
- Limited RV camping: only ~3 20-amp RV sites (cannot run AC) + a $45/night van site
- Blue Heart Springs kayak/SUP rentals and launch parking pass available but limited space
- Hazard: 138F artesian source is plumbed and blended — never enter source plumbing
- Hazard: Deep end 10 ft with diving board — supervise kids
- Hazard: Snake River current if paddling to Blue Heart Springs
About this spring
Century-old artesian mineral resort on the Snake River (138°F source cooled to 89-102°F) — a 120x60-ft main pool plus 5 private baths. Closed 2022-25 for renovations; REOPENED 2026 at limited capacity, reservation only. Fee: ~$12 for 2-hr session, reservation required — verify current pricing. Reservation required; reduced capacity during ongoing renovation.
Banbury Hot Springs sits on the Snake River in the Hagerman Valley along the Thousand Springs Scenic Byway between Hagerman and Buhl — a corridor where aquifer water forced through basalt layers emerges as springs along the canyon. Shoshone and Bannock peoples used the springs for centuries before John Banbury built a hotel and bathhouse in 1920, the site's first commercial development; roughly six owners have run it since. Artesian mineral water reaches the surface at about 138°F and is tempered with cold Banbury Spring water before filling the 120-by-60-foot main pool and five private baths. The tree-shaded property includes a picnic area, 20 RV hookups, tent sites and cabins, and rents kayaks and paddleboards for Snake River floats toward Blue Heart Springs. After a multi-year renovation closure, the resort has reopened at limited capacity — hours and admission policies are in flux, so confirm directly before visiting.
Directions & trailhead access
1128 Banbury Rd off US-30 between Hagerman and Buhl.
Idaho geothermal context
Idaho's thermal water rides the old track of the Yellowstone hotspot across the Snake River Plain and surfaces along faults in the surrounding mountains. Many of the best soaks are roadside or river-access pools inside national forests — including springs that only emerge when river levels drop. Backcountry sites demand real navigation skills and long dirt-road drives.
What a resort site means here
A resort spring is a commercial operation: developed pools or tubs with controlled temperatures, changing facilities, and usually day-use fees or lodging packages. Expect posted rules (swimsuits, quiet hours, age limits), staff on site, and in many cases required reservations — especially on weekends and holidays.
Best time to visit
Year-Round (Best: May – October)Pool temperatures and access can change with weather and season. Outdoor ambient temperatures fluctuate significantly across Idaho. Late spring through autumn offers the most comfortable road access.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 102°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 102°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $12 — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported no pets |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Banbury Hot Springs — official site (home, swim, camping, FAQ) |
Banbury Hot Springs FAQ
Is Banbury Hot Springs open right now?
Century-old geothermal resort on the Snake River in Hagerman Valley (~8.7 mi west of Buhl) — REOPENED in 2026 after being closed since fall 2022 for septic/infrastructure work; big artesian-fed pool (89-102F off a 138F source) with diving board runs Mon-Sat 10:30am-9:30pm, closed Sundays; private 8-person hot pools rentable for $15/1.5hr on top of admission; limited RV/van camping and Blue Heart Springs paddle rentals also restarting. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Is Banbury Hot Springs free?
Banbury Hot Springs is listed with reported fees near Buhl. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Banbury Hot Springs?
Banbury Hot Springs has a reported soak temperature of 102°F and a historical source temperature of 102°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Banbury Hot Springs clothing optional?
Banbury Hot Springs is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Banbury Hot Springs?
Banbury Hot Springs is a private venue with paid public admission. Confirm current hours, fees and booking requirements with the operator before visiting.
Where to stay in Twin Falls
A town base for Snake River Valley soaks near Buhl and Hagerman. Private pool sessions need their own booking.
Twin Falls is about 23 mi from the spring (straight line).
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Banbury Hot Springs — official site (home, swim, camping, FAQ) — operator · 2026-09
- 98.3 The Snake (local radio/news) — Banbury reopening after 2022 closure — news · 2026
- Hot Springs Guides — Banbury Hot Springs — community · 2025
- HotSprings.co — Banbury Hot Springs — community · 2026
Additional references for this record; a source link does not guarantee current conditions.
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
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