Bear River Hot Springs
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Bear River Hot Springs is a resort hot spring listed near Preston, Idaho. Reported soak temperature: 105°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Current status
Family resort (formerly Riverdale Resort) 5 mi north of Preston, open year-round: fall hours Mon-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-7pm; admission $15 ages 3-60 / $13 senior+military / free under 3 — covers the 105F covered hot tub and 85-95F 'Peanut' therapy pool year-round, while the junior Olympic pool, slide pool and two 60-ft hydro-tube slides run Memorial Day-Labor Day only.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 6 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
Preston is about 7 miles south of Bear River via Highway 34.
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via Bear River Hot Springs official site — home (overview, accommodations).
- Cost: Reported $10 — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: Developed resort — confirm operating hours and any reservation requirement.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 105°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; reported dog-friendly.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None — day-use admission at desk; season and annual passes sold online (gymdesk)
- Best time to go: Weekdays for quiet soaking; the hot tub and Peanut pool are the year-round draw — summer weekends bring families for the slides and big pool
- Clothing reality: Official: swimsuits required — family resort. Customary: standard swimwear. Private property; no clothing-optional areas.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: ok — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Developed resort with paved access, locker rooms, snack bar; Peanut pool is shallow (3.5 ft) and warm — therapeutic use; no specific ADA lifts documented
- Only the 105F hot tub and Peanut pool are open in winter — the big Olympic pool, slide pool and hydro-tube slides are seasonal (Memorial Day-Labor Day, sometimes Fri-Sun only late season)
- Hot tub 'not recommended for small children' per operator
- Admission charged for ages 3+; spectator fee $2 for non-swimmers
- Pools drained and cleaned weekly — no chemical additives (natural mineral water)
- Pets welcome at campsites only, NOT in pool areas
- Camping guests get $1/person discount on pool admission
- Property still undergoing renovations — check Facebook/Instagram for current deals and any disruptions
- Hazard: 105F hot tub — limit soak time, keep small children out
- Hazard: Geothermal source ~120F feeds pools
About this spring
Family geothermal resort 6 mi north of Preston (formerly Riverdale Resort) — a 120°F source feeds a covered 105°F hot tub and 85-95°F therapy pool year-round, plus seasonal Olympic pool and hydro-tube slides; hotel, cabins, RV sites and a dog park. Fee: ~$10 adult (reports vary $9-18) — verify current rate. Only hot tub + therapy pool operate in winter.
Bear River Hot Springs — the former Riverdale Resort, rebranded but still at the same Riverdale Valley address — is a family-oriented geothermal resort in Franklin County, six miles north of Preston. Built in the 1980s, it draws on a 120°F geothermal source to run four mineral pools with no chemical additives; all are drained and cleaned weekly. The 105°F hot tub and the 85–95°F therapy pool operate year-round under a covered all-weather shelter, while the 86°F junior Olympic pool, waterslide pool and two enclosed 60-foot hydro-tube slides run only Memorial Day through Labor Day. Overnight options include eight hotel rooms each with a private jetted geothermal tub, three log cabins, a condo, and 20 RV and 20 tent sites, plus a snack bar, game room and a dedicated dog park — pets are welcome in the campground but barred from pool areas. Lifeguards staff the pools during operating hours, a rarity among Idaho soaking resorts.
Directions & trailhead access
3696 N 1600 E, Preston — Hwy 34 ~7 mi north of Preston.
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 | 105°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 105°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $10 — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported dog-friendly |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Bear River Hot Springs official site — home (overview, accommodations) |
Bear River Hot Springs FAQ
Is Bear River Hot Springs open right now?
Family resort (formerly Riverdale Resort) 5 mi north of Preston, open year-round: fall hours Mon-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 8am-7pm; admission $15 ages 3-60 / $13 senior+military / free under 3 — covers the 105F covered hot tub and 85-95F 'Peanut' therapy pool year-round, while the junior Olympic pool, slide pool and two 60-ft hydro-tube slides run Memorial Day-Labor Day only. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Is Bear River Hot Springs free?
Bear River Hot Springs is listed with reported fees near Preston. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Bear River Hot Springs?
Bear River Hot Springs has a reported soak temperature of 105°F and a historical source temperature of 105°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Bear River Hot Springs clothing optional?
Bear River Hot Springs is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Bear River Hot Springs?
Bear River 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 Preston
Preston is about 7 miles south of Bear River via Highway 34. Check the operator’s pool hours and overnight options directly.
Check overnight options with the operator
Check the road and access notes above before you book.
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Bear River Hot Springs official site — home (overview, accommodations) — operator · 2026-09
- Bear River Hot Springs official site — Swim Admission page (fall hours, prices, pool temps) — operator · 2026-09
- Hot Springs Guides — Riverdale/Bear River overview (seasonal pool split, source temp) — community · 2025
- Top Hot Springs — Bear River (Riverdale) Hot Springs (pets-at-campsite policy, campground details) — community · 2024
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
Your private trip notes
Saved only in this browser — not published or shared.No private notes yet
Keep access details and observations for your own planning.