Lidy Hot Springs

## Overview Lidy Hot Springs is a historic hot springs site located near Monteview in Clark County, Idaho, at an elevation typical of the Snake River Plain region. Once a thriving resort destination, Lidy Hot Springs attracted visitors from across the region not only for its geothermal waters but also for its legendary dance floor, which reportedly generated more revenue than the hot springs themselves. The resort and its buildings were constructed prior to 1962, during an era when Idaho's natural hot springs were popular social gathering places. In 1962, the property was purchased by a family with mining interests, and the resort was converted into a mining material processing facility. **The public has not been allowed to enter since 1962**, and the site remains closed to visitors today. Despite its closure as a recreational destination, Lidy Hot Springs gained renewed scientific attention in 2002 when NASA researchers visited the site to study **Archaea**, single-celled microorganisms commonly found in Idaho's hot springs. Archaea are remarkable because certain species can survive without carbon or sunlight — instead deriving their energy from hydrogen gas. These extremophile organisms are among the most ancient life forms on Earth and are of particular interest to astrobiologists studying the potential for life in extreme environments on other planets. Idaho's geothermal features, including Lidy Hot Springs, have proven to be especially rich habitats for these organisms. ## What to Expect Lidy Hot Springs is **closed to the public** and has been since 1962. There is no legal access to the springs, and visitors should not attempt to enter the property. The site now functions as a private mining-related facility. For those interested in the history of Idaho's hot springs culture, Lidy serves as a fascinating case study of how a once-beloved community gathering place was transformed by changing economic interests. Historical photographs of the original resort — including the famous dance hall — have been documented and circulated among Idaho hot springs enthusiasts. If you're looking for accessible hot springs in the region, Clark County and the broader eastern Idaho area are home to several other geothermal sites that remain open to visitors. The GPS coordinates (44.145, -112.554) mark the general location of Lidy Hot Springs near Monteview, Idaho, for reference purposes only.