When you drive through the town of Lava Hot Springs in Idaho you will undoubtably pass by many people renting out river tubes. You might wonder what is going on because you didn’t think you needed rive tubes to enjoy the hot springs. But the truth is that while hot springs are fun, Lava Hot Springs actually has even more fun to offer in the form of the Portneuf River.

Getting Tubes

You can bring your own tubes to float the river in Lava Hot Springs if you have them. We did not bring tubes of our own with us when we were there so we rented tubes. It is not hard to find tubes to rent, their is at least one seller per block (during the summer) on Main Street.

The going rate seems to be around $5 per seat in a tube for a two hour rental. It really doesn’t matter where you get the tubes, but the closer you are to either the river entrance or exit will save you one trip hauling tubes.

We got a double tube ($10 for 2 hours) and the other family we were with got quad tubes ($20 for 2 hours). It is generally considered more fun to float with people then to float single, and the bigger tubes have less chance of capsizing.

Some tube rentals will also sell an optional wristband to be able to ride a tube shuttle from the river exit. We did not go for that option but instead walked our tubes back to the river entrance each time.

Floating the River

Across from the Hot Springs (the small pools, not the big pool with the slides) is a parking lot that will give you access to a trail that runs along the Portneuf River. Once you have your tubes you should follow this trail until you reach a dock where you can enter the river.

There are other river entrances along the trail, but entering at the dock will let you tube the greatest length of the river. You might have to wait a little while for your chance to enter the river if it is a crowded day.

Once you are in the river you will encounter some peaceful and some not so peaceful sections. Hold on tight when you are going down rapids sections. Nothing is too intense, and I am sure it varies by season depending on how high the river is running. The lower it is running the slower it will be, but the greater chance that you will bottom out or get grounded on a pebble bar.

There is a bridge near the Hot Springs where your friends can take pictures of you. And along the river are houses and yards where locals like to hangout and shoot floaters with water guns.

You exit the river just before the bridge near the big pool with the slides. You exit on the righthand bank when looking down river. Someone on the tube will have to jump off and push the tube to the bank.

Sum Up

We consider floating the Portneuf River a must do while visiting Lava Hot Springs. In our opinion it was the most fun part of the day we spent in town. I feel like the prices are not too inflated for a tourist town and it is worth it. The river is a good speed for all levels of tubers, we did it with children as young as 6 years old.