Major city · United States
Soda SpringsSoda Springs, Idaho
Stay one night, not three: the timed geyser, a carbonated spring and a cave fill a half-day. Base in Lava Hot Springs or Pocatello for the rest.
Soda Springs is a town of about 3,100 people on US-30 in Southeastern Idaho, named for the carbonated springs around it. The draw is small and specific: a geyser that erupts on a timer every hour, a spring you can drink from, and a cave. One night is enough; two if you want to slow down and use it as a stop between Pocatello and Jackson or Salt Lake City.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm, roads clear); Sep–Oct for cooler hiking
- avoid Dec–Mar (snow, ice, some seasonal closures)
- Airports
- PIH · SLC
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Soda Springs911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Soda Springs, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyVery safe for a small US town; the real risks are winter driving on US-30 and rural roads, and wildlife if you hike off-trail.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportPIH Pocatello Regional (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-15 and US-30; small airport, limited flights).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$8–14
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Budget bedRV site, a night, per roomUS$25
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$90
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PIH Pocatello Regional (About 1 h 15 min by car via I-15 and US-30; small airport, limited flights) · SLC Salt Lake City International (About 3 h by car via I-15 north and US-30 east; the main gateway for the region)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Apr
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
not flagged
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Dec–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Soda Springs: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
9 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
8 rd
Mar
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
10 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
8 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
6 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
7 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
10 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. The town is small but the springs and cave sit outside the centre; there is no useful local bus. US-30 runs through town and I-15 is about an hour west at McCammon.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lava Hot Springs
goDoor to door: About 35 min
US-30 west to I-15 south, about 30 min
Hot-spring pools and a small town; the natural pairing with Soda Springs.
Door to door: About 1 h
US-30 west to I-15 south, about 1 h
Bigger base with more food, hotels and flights.
Blackfoot
goDoor to door: About 1 h 20 min
US-30 west to I-15 north, about 1 h 15 min
Idaho potato and museum stop on the way to Idaho Falls.
Shelley
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h 35 min
US-30 west to I-15 north, about 1 h 30 min
Small; only worth it if you are already heading north.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / 2nd S
Motels and the Cobblestone Inn within a few blocks of the geyser and Main Street diners; walkable, best for one night.
US-30 east strip
Caribou RV Park and highway-side stays; you need a car for everything, but easy in and out.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$90 | US$90 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Fuel, Pocatello round trip1 × US$25 · check | US$25 |
| Hot-springs entry, Lava Hot Springs2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$44 |
| Trip total≈ US$240 per person per day, bed included | US$479 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Diner breakfast | $8–14 |
| Mexican or Chinese plate | $10–18 |
| Motel room, one night2026 estimate; higher in summer. | $55–140 |
| Gasoline, per galloncheck | $3–4 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The geyser is capped and released by a timer for about 8 minutes once an hour — time your visit, don't expect a natural schedule.
- Hooper Spring water is potable but strongly irony; taste before you fill bottles.
- Winter brings snow and ice on US-30 and the back roads to the cave; check conditions before driving.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the rural roads east of town.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Soda SpringsSoda Springs, Idaho
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Soda Springs; nearest consulates in Salt Lake City, embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Soda Springs → Lava Hot Springs by car: about 30 min, fuel only
- Soda Springs → Pocatello by car: about 1 h, fuel only
- Soda Springs → Salt Lake City by car: about 3 h, fuel only
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the geyser? — Where is the geyser?
- Can I drink this water? — Can I drink this water?
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the toilet? — Where is the toilet?
Small town: carry water, fuel up before rural drives, and check winter road conditions.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Soda Springs. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep (warm, roads clear); Sep–Oct for cooler hiking · avoid Dec–Mar (snow, ice, some seasonal closures) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for PIH and SLC: drive times, last-flight options, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster around the geyser, Main Street and the motels, with a rescue anchor for winter.
- Place pages with verified hours for the geyser, Hooper Spring and Formation Springs Cave.
- Eat pages with last orders for the Main Street diner and the two restaurants.