Looking for a romantic couples getaway close to home and for a reasonable price? Then you need look no further than Downata Hot Springs in Downey, Idaho. Twenty minutes closer to Utah than Lava Hot Springs this fun little resort has everything a couple nededs for a nice relaxing getaway: beautiful scenery, relaxing hot springs, massages, dining and fun accommodations! This trip has become a fall favorite for us as the fall colors are out and the resort has some amazing deals for couples if you follow them on social media. The resort has all the amenitities needed for a family weekend as well but we really enjoy this as a couples retreat.
Getting There
Downata Hot Springs is 132 miles from Salt Lake City or about a 1 hour and 40 minute drive and is just off I-15 between Malad and Lava Hot Springs in the small town of Downey making it a perfect destination for a short getaway.
Downata Hot Springs
Unlike the more well known Lava Hot Springs which is state owned, Downata is a small family owned resort that has to compete against its much larger subsidized neighbor through creative accommodations, dining, and specials. The first thing you will notice is the abundance of choices for accommodations. Downata has RV and tent camping as well as cabins, yurts and even teepees for rent. New this year is their unique Conestoga Wagons which were really fun. The wagons have heating and air conditioning and are really cute on the inside.
We enjoy going to Downata in the fall because they always have a fall special and we enjoy ATVing through the local mountains (ATV’s can be ridden directly from the resort). If you don’t have ATV’s, bring your mountain bikes or hike (many of the forest roads are accessible by car). This fall we went for the Fun Fall Special which included one night in the Conestoga Wagon, a rib dinner for two in the dining room at night, soaking in the hot springs, and breakfast for two the next morning in the cafe. The wagons also came with fire wood for a camp fire and a smore kit to make smores and hot chocolate. All this for $159.00! They have multiple Steak and Soak specials throughout the year so keep your eye out for these specials.
The Hot Springs include both soaking pools and a main pool and slides. Massages are also available but schedule in advance. The pools are very clean and well maintained and they have both a formal dining room and a cafe that includes an old time soda fountain counter where you can get fantastic ice cream, shakes, burgers and pizza.
Things to Do
Where to Ride and Hike
Of course, the highlight to Downata are the pools but getting out and exploring the beautiful mountain scenery is a must as well. Downata has ATV maps for riding areas accessible directly from the campground and we have also enjoyed riding the Oxford Peak Loop outside of Malad and Cottonwood Peak just down the road from Downata. The colors in the fall are amazing and grand vistas appear around every bend with the reds and yellows mixed with white domes of the mountains covered in the season’s first snow fall. You will experience the gold and white of aspen forests mixed with the colorful hues of deciduous trees and evergreens throughout the ride. The springtime promises to be just as pretty with wildflowers mixed with the budding leaves of spring. Wildlife abounds in these forests so keep an eye out for deer, elk, beaver, and birds and just enjoy the natural beauty of Southeast Idaho.
Red Rock Pass Geologic Monument
Downey, Idaho has the distinct honor of being the location where ancient Lake Bonneville finally broke out of her shoreline at Red Rock Pass. Located just a few miles south of Downata Hot Springs on Hwy 91, the pass is about 2 miles wide and had formed the northern dam of the ancient lake. The pass used to be 300 feet higher, however, when volcanic lava flows in the vicinity of Pocatello diverted the Bear River into Lake Bonneville just 14,500 years ago the sudden influx caused Lake Bonneville to overflow at Red Rock Pass cutting through shale, limestone and dolomite. The outflow of the water was so great it lowered the valley to its current level as the Marsh Creek Valley was flooded wall to wall with the outflow which was three times as great as the flow of the Amazon river. Many of the large boulders moved by the outflow can still be seen today. There is a monument at the site where visitors can climb and view the pass and the valley below.
Conclusion
Downata Hot Springs is one of our favorite destinations both as a couple and to explore nature. The people at Downata Hot Springs are friendly and proud of the nice little resort they have built while competing against the much larger state subsidized hot springs. This resort is great for a couples retreat, family weekend, or family reunion. The deals Downata offers are one of the best values we have found and there is something just fun about rocking an old Conestoga Wagon on a cool fall evening, just remember to turn out the lights first!