Downata Hot Springs

1 3/4 hrs T $/0

This is a nice little resort southeast of Downey, ID. It has one large heated pool, two or three large slides on the hill and two smaller slides by the pool, a sauna and a Jacuzzi . They recently added a couple hot soaking pools, but it's an extra charge. You can pay to camp right there at Downata or at Cherry Creek campground 20 minutes away for free. It is now open for weekends in the winter until 9 p.m., but check their web site since they close for a week or two in May for repairs. The big slides are not open in the winter until about Memorial Day. All day swimming is $7.50, but they have a four hour rate of $5.50 on Friday nights from 5 until 9 for scouts. If you want to camp there, the cost per person is $3.00 (3.24 with tax) per person. If you camp by a pavilion you cook and eat in the pavilion.

Camping is $17 per tent unless you do the scout deal. But you still need reservations, especially in the spring, summer or fall. See http://www.downatahotsprings.com/index.html . My favorite spot is a grassy area above the pool, by itself. To get to Downata, go north on I15, at the first Downey exit go east (on highway 40) to a "T" and take a right on highway 91 and go about 3 1/2 miles and you will see it on the right. This is better than Crystal Hot Springs and a lot less crowded.

Cherry Creek Campground

One very nice (but primitive), free place to camp is Cherry Creek campground, which is about 10 miles south of Downey up on a hill and takes about 20 minutes to drive there. I wouldn't recommend it from November - April or if it's raining. To get there from the Downy exit, go east on highway 40 to the "T" and take a right on highway 91 and then in 1/2 a mile (or the third right) turn right between two gas stations. It is called South Old Malad Hwy, but may not have a sign. Go to Cherry Creek Road (the first main one) and take a left. Follow that road up the canyon. It is a very nice dirt road, at least until you get to the Forest Service maintained section, and then it can be hazardous in the snow or heavy rain. When you come to a fork in the road take the lower road on the right and keep going until you pass a sign that says Cherry Creek Campground. A little ways past that, one road turns off to the right where there are a couple nice open areas to camp. Further up on the left, is another very large flat area for camping and then another smaller one a little further on the right (pictured below). At the very end of the road, are several picnic tables. But they aren't very good camping sites. There is no running water except in the creek. To get there from Downata you can turn right on the road above Downata called E. Back Downata Road and follow that to Cherry Creek road, but it's probably quicker going back up the highway to South Old Malad Hwy and going the other way.

Other Ideas

Another idea is to stop at Devil Creek Reservoir, between Malad and Downey, set up camp there and then go to Downata to swim, and then get up early the next morning to fish on the reservoir. The cost is $15 per site for as many boys as you have https://rvidaho.org/find-a-park?locationid=44483 . If you want a more secluded campground with more trees with facilities check out the Malad Summit campground. To get there, you take the Devil Creek Reservoir exit and head north on the frontage road (old highway 191) until you get to 110000 north and see a Summit Campground sign pointing left. Head up the hill (Power House Road) a few miles to the campground. It is a ($10) fee area with 5 sites. But, most of them don't have much room for tents. Sites 3 and 8 are the better ones for tents.

It is open May 15th - November 15th. Reserve at http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Malad_Summit_Campground/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=73923&topTabIndex=Search

By the way there is also a cabin in the same area that can be rented for $40 a night. It looks like there are flat areas to pitch tents as well. Book at http://www.recreation.gov/camping/Malad_Summit_Guard_Station_Id/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NRSO&parkId=75503 or call 877-444-6777

Another idea is to go 40 minutes north to Lava Hot Springs on Saturday and swim there as well.