Bonneville Hot Springs Idaho is one of those places where the journey is almost as good as the soak. Honestly, the drive alone is worth itβeven if you never made it to the pools. We visited in March and lucked into a perfect weather window: sunny, calm, and in the 60s to low 70s, even though there was still a lot of snow on the ground. It felt like Idaho showing off a little.
If youβre planning a hot springs day trip from Boise, this spot delivers big on scenery, quiet vibes, and that satisfying βwe worked a little for thisβ feeling. If youβre comparing options, I break down how this stacks up against other nearby soaks in my Boise Hot Springs Day Trip: Kirkham, Bonneville & Idaho City Options Comparedβitβs helpful if youβre short on time and trying to pick just one.
Access to Bonneville Hot Springs Idaho depends heavily on the season. Normally, you can park near the campground and walk less than half a mile to the springs. When we went, the campground was closed and the road was gated, which added some extra stepsβand a little confusion.
We parked in a small pull-off just before the sign to the springs. From there, we walked about a quarter mile along the main road to reach the start of the road that normally leads past the campground. From that point, it was roughly a mile hike to the springs.
The closed gate is what throws people off. In summer or when thereβs no snow, you can usually drive much closer. In winter or early spring, expect longer walking distances and plan accordingly. I have attached the map and circled where we parked.
If youβre visiting from Boise or Idaho City, renting a car makes this much easierβespecially with seasonal closures. We found it simplest to compare options here so we werenβt stuck navigating mountain roads in something sketchy.
When you arrive, the first thing youβll notice is how quiet it is. There were fewer than 10 people there when we visited, which made the whole experience feel peaceful and unrushed.
Thereβs a very rustic changing boothβfunctional, but thatβs about it. No bathrooms. No amenities. No frills. Cell service is spotty, so donβt rely on it once youβre out there.
The pools themselves are spread along the river and vary a lot in temperature. Some are very hot, while the lower pools closer to the river are more balanced and, honestly, perfect. There are small waterfalls and streams feeding into the pools, and the setting is stunning in every direction.
One thing to know: the hot water flows in right by the river, and if you step into it without any cold water mixing inβwoah. Itβs scalding. People move rocks around to blend the hot spring water with the cold river water, creating just-right soaking temperatures. Once itβs dialed in, itβs incredibly relaxing.
We spent a couple of hours soaking, which felt ideal. Enough time to fully enjoy it without turning it into an all-day affair.
Spring can be fantastic if you catch a good weather window, but access can change week to week depending on snow and road conditions. Summer and early fall are the easiest for parking and hiking, with shorter walks and clearer access.
Winter and early spring are quieter and more secluded, but youβll want to be prepared for closures, snow, and longer hikes. Either way, Bonneville Hot Springs Idaho is worth the effortβyou just need to plan for the conditions.
A few things I was really glad we hadβor would absolutely bring again:
Snow boots or hiking boots with good traction
If thereβs snow on the ground, this is non-negotiable. The road and trail can be slick, especially when access is limited.
A towel and something waterproof to carry it in
The changing booth is very basic, and thereβs nowhere fancy to stash your stuff. A lightweight towel and waterproof bag made life easier.
A swimsuit you can layer under your clothes
This makes changing faster and far less awkward, especially in cooler months.
A water bottle
Youβll be soaking in hot water for a while, and thereβs nothing nearby once youβre out there.
Optional: water shoes (these are my absolute favorite water shoes)
The river rocks can be uneven, and some pools are rocky. Not required, but nice if youβre picky about footing.
If youβre building a few days around Boise and Idaho City, Bonneville Hot Springs Idaho fits nicely into a relaxed itinerary. After soaking, Idaho City is a great stop for food or an overnightβsee my full review of The Springs Idaho City Hot Springs: What to Expect & How to Plan Your Visit if you want to compare developed vs. natural soaking experiences.
For lodging, I usually suggest staying in Boise and doing hot springs as day trips. You can find plenty of solid options by browsing where to stay near Boise here, which keeps things flexible depending on your schedule.
If youβre mapping out a longer stay, I also have a complete Idaho City Guide: What to Do, Where to Eat & Where to Stay that ties everything together nicely.
Absolutely. Between the scenery, the quiet pools, and the natural setting, Bonneville Hot Springs Idaho feels like a true Idaho experienceβnot overly developed, not crowded, and incredibly rewarding if youβre willing to plan around access conditions.
Itβs not the easiest hot spring to reach year-round, but thatβs part of the appeal. When you finally sink into the warm water with the river rushing nearby and mountains all around, itβs hard to argue with the effort it took to get there.
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos donβt capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they donβt know theyβre in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But thatβs also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. π·
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. π·
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes Iβve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Hereβs what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
CafΓ© Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davieβs Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (itβs not ketchup, and itβs better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what Iβd skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
Thereβs a version of Gatlinburg thatβs all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then thereβs the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Hereβs everything worth doing downtown, in the order Iβd do it: ποΈ
β¨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
β¨ Walk the strip mid-morning when itβs still manageable
β¨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: donβt skip it)
β¨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
β¨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isnβt your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. Itβs more of a βhereβs what Iβd actually do if I had one solid dayβ kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. π
If someone told me Iβd spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. π
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and itβs one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it β longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
β¨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
β¨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
β¨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
β¨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. π
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