Lava Hot Springs East KOA

Reviewed Jul. 8, 2025

Skip this campground if tent camping

Positives first- the tent area is quite pretty and I really liked that the ground is large grain sand so it made setting up camp very easy. There are mature trees around so there is part or full shade for most of the area. You don't get to choose your site online so I recommend calling ahead and asking for a full shade sire- those were near the water and prettier.

The staff is friendly and informative although the person I spoke seemed surprised when I asked about dog daycare- none of the facilities in town offer it and you can't bring a dog to the Hot Springs or the pool so it seems like a lost business opportunity. The bathrooms were clean even though there was one out of service the entire time we were there.

This is NOT a quiet campground. There is a mayor highway yards away from the entire camp- there are no areas safe from the truck air brakes or much worst- the train.

We were offered ear plugs but they did not keep the noise out- it was incessant. The actual camp sites are also on a lowered area next to the river which we thought we could swim in but it was infested with algae and we couldn't tell if that was the safe kind or the blue green kind. We had to haul all our gear down a steep set of stairs which are not well lit at night. I love KOA but this place really needs walls by the road to block the highway noise. The tent camp fee is too high for the services provided.

Site14

Month of VisitJune

(6) View All

MickandKarla W.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2024

Nice KOA-Poor RV Sites Design

The KOA is just off US-30, so easy to find. Our GPS and Waze did not have the exact address, but you can easily see the KOA sign coming in from the east. We were traveling with another couple and there were basically two marked check-in spaces. You have to pay attention to where you position your rig so you don't block office car parking. We had reserved a premium K-9 site and were assigned site 102 at check-in. Site 102 was 1 of 3 premium sites next to the office. The problem with site 102 was 1) there was a truck parked there with no owner in sight, 2) trees that would have scraped the top of our 5th wheel, and 3) a very difficult and tight back-in swing on this 90-degree site with our 40' rig. You need to be an expert backer, or very lucky, to clear the trees at the entrance of this site if you're in a larger rig. Sites 100 and 101 do not have these same obstacles and with the river view, are arguably the best sites in the park. We went back into the office to request a different site and were assigned a non K-9 premium back-in site, 200, in their new area. We would have enjoyed the original site as it does have a nice river view. Sites were under construction in the 200 area and each site is highlighted by 7-inch high and 6-inch wide cement curbs. Whoever designed much of this CG did not understand RVs. It was challenging to back into your site as there are also cement barriers to protect the sewer hookups off the curbs in front of sites on the adjacent pull-through sites. We almost tore off a snap pad getting too close to a curb as the curbs are not sloped to prevent this and based on the markings, a lot of tires have fallen victim to these curbs. Also, we had to be very careful going up and down our steps as you have the curb there as well. While we were getting into our site, a 45’ class A was trying to get into pull-through site 221 across from us. Just trying to make the turn onto this row, he ran his rear tires up on the curb around the shower/laundry facility. He still had his toad attached and had to disconnect it to avoid damaging his vehicle. Hopefully, the management of this park will mark that site for shorter rigs as he also had problems clearing the curbs when departing his site. Their free Wifi was decent. We got 3 bars on Verizon and no issues getting a shot to the north sky for Starlink as there are no mature trees in this new area. There are plenty of other CG options in the area, so we will not stay here again. The main positive of this CG is the staff. They were friendly and accommodating when we requested to change sites. They also credited us the diffrence in cost since we didn't get the K-9 site, without us asking for the credit.

Site200

Month of VisitJune

(11) View All

Rich J.

Reviewed Jul. 5, 2024

O.K.

Bathrooms and showers are very clean, some sites are widely space, but some are crammed together, otherwise, a typical KOA. EXCEPT it is expensive and they add on extra fees for people, pets, and vehicles; never stayed at a KOA that does this. Oh, the road noise is pretty bad also.

Month of VisitJune

Sam C.

Reviewed May. 22, 2022

Nice but expensive

I would stay here again if it wasn’t so expensive. The $20 fee per dog per night is the kicker for me. So four our 3 dogs at $20 per night added $120 to our 2 night stay, and they charge this even if you stay in a tent which I think is ridiculous.

Sitel45

Month of VisitMay

(4) View All

Amy S.

Reviewed Aug. 16, 2021

Nice campground but bad road noise

The facilities are nice and it’s very close to the hot springs. The only problem we experienced was the very loud road noise. The were up all night listening to Jake breaking from trucks zipping by.

Month of VisitAugust

Sarah

Reviewed Jul. 15, 2021

Nice KOA

We stayed just one night here on our way home from a 6 week outing. This KOA has something for everyone and every type of campsite you could ever imagine. It is very busy! We had a patio site near the office, overlooking a weedy bit near the stream. While you couldn’t see the water from the patio, you could hear it and could enjoy gazing at the cliffs above it. Road noise and train noise was excessive (4 trains went through during the night and the train track is right on the other side of the highway which is right next to the park and carries a lot of semi truck traffic).

Site101

Month of VisitJuly

G H.

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2021

Great place to stay

This is a big KOA, right on the river, and really well taken care of. Super clean! Walking distance to downtown and the hot springs. Really nice staff.

Site204

Month of VisitJuly

Shad G.

Reviewed Oct. 18, 2020

Great place to stay

Came for a weekend getaway. The park was very clean and beautiful with the fall colors. The camp hosts were great. The Portneuf River runs right through the campground. You are about a 5-10 minute walk from the main town including the hot pools. Those pools are super relaxing and I would recommend going first thing in the morning before it gets crowded. I was impressed with the campground itself. All the hookups worked perfectly.

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Suanne M.

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2020

Nice shaded and walking distance to Town and Springs

Good facilities. River valley spots are the best. There is a train that runs frequently during the day.

David T.

Reviewed Feb. 5, 2020

Great place if your here for the pools.

We've stayed here a few times. Pretty close to the hilt pools. Close enough to the city for a nice walk. The campground is like most KOA's pretty close sites, but lots of amenities. Showers, fire rings, power, water, shop with all kinds of goodies and ice cream. Great shade in most spots, and it has a place for large gatherings. Horse shoe pits, volleyball, and playground.

Alan B.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2019

A KOA right along the River!

This is a packed area for campground and other lodging! There are 3 other places to stay along the same road including this KOA. It does have quite a large store if you are staying nearby and need to stock up on things. There are sites with options for hookups and it appeared there were some small cabins for rent. A small railroad style bridge also crossed the river to the south

Month of VisitJuly

(7) View All

Shani C.

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2019

T1 Campsite is A Hidden Oasis

We had scouted T1 campsite at the KOA Holiday in Lava Hot Springs. This campground runs along the creek and is directly across from Mary’s Campground. Site T1 is for a family of 2 maybe 3 but it’s large enough for 2 medium size tents and 1 large one and our canopy. The site itself is surrounded by water and even has a small water fall that you could sit in as if it were a small hot tub size. This KOA is clean and friendly staff. They do have a store for some basic supplies and sell firewood. Not only are there tent sites but also have RV sites, cabins camp and large family size cabins. They have bathrooms/showers and a large playground for young kids. This KOA is within walking distance to Lava Hot Springs Main Street which has places to eat, hot pools, stores, ice cream place and more. Definitely would stay at this KOA again and again.

(7) View All

Shariah T.

Reviewed Jun. 2, 2019

Family fun

The people, bathrooms, and showers are all awesome. There is some road noise but not more than you’d get anywhere else. LOTS of shade, right next to the river, pet friendly, and cabins are also able to be rented! Would definitely come here again.

(6) View All

Doug E.

Reviewed May. 23, 2019

Nice spot to camp!

Nice spot to camp by town with plenty to do!

Kristen B.