Public

Lava Hot Springs Course

Lava Hot Springs Golf Course

Lava Hot Springs, ID, USA
jerickson02
+1
9 holesPar 363,275 yds37.6/133

About this course

Lava Hot Springs Golf Course sits in the small resort town of Lava Hot Springs in southeastern Idaho, known for its natural hot springs and outdoor recreation. The course was designed by Jim Maughan and Jed Maughan and reflects the distinctive volcanic landscape of the region. The terrain is shaped by the geological character of the area, with lava formations and natural rock features influencing the routing and playability across the layout. The course takes advantage of the undulating topography typical of Idaho's Snake River Plain, where volcanic activity has left a varied landscape of ridges, outcroppings, and natural drainage patterns. The design incorporates the native sagebrush and juniper vegetation common to the high desert environment, creating a course that feels integrated with its setting rather than imposed upon it. Water features, where present, draw from the region's natural hydrology and add strategic interest to the routing. As a public facility in a small mountain town, Lava Hot Springs Golf Course serves both local players and visitors drawn to the area's hot springs and outdoor amenities. The course offers a more accessible, community-oriented experience than destination resort layouts, with straightforward playability that accommodates golfers of varying skill levels. The setting provides views across the surrounding terrain and maintains the character of southeastern Idaho's high desert landscape, making it a representative example of regional golf design that works within rather than against its natural environment.

Quick facts

Location
Lava Hot Springs, ID, USA
Access
Public
Year built
1970
Holes
9
Par
36
Length
3,275 yards
Difficulty
37.6/133

Getting there

The journey to Lava Hot Springs Golf Course begins at either Salt Lake City International (SLC), roughly two hours north, or Pocatello Regional Airport (PIH), a closer but smaller gateway about forty minutes to the northeast. The drive from either direction traces the contours of southeastern Idaho's high desert basin, where the landscape gradually shifts from broad agricultural valleys to the tighter, mineral-rich canyon country that defines this historic spa town. As you descend into Lava Hot Springs proper, the Portneuf River comes into view, and the golf course reveals itself tucked into the benchland above the thermal springs that have drawn visitors to this remote corner of Idaho for more than a century.

FAQ

Common questions about Lava Hot Springs

Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.

Lava Hot Springs was designed by Jim Maughan and Jed Maughan.

Yes. Lava Hot Springs is listed as welcoming public or guest play on Course Vaults.

Par at Lava Hot Springs is 36.

Lava Hot Springs plays 3,275 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.

The slope rating at Lava Hot Springs is 133.

Lava Hot Springs is a 9-hole course.

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