Gold Fork Hot Springs — Attraction in Cascade

If you go, call ahead to see if the road has been graded recently. That will cut drive time in half and reduce the need to purchase a new vehicle on your way out… also if you want to speak above a whisper go before 4pm when joy is permitted at the pools. I dont recommend bringing children unless they went to finishing school and can walk calmly like they have a book on their head.

Also bring cash, as there are no other forms of current earthly payment accepted. However I bet they would trade rare crystals for entrance.

Arrive earlier than you desire so you have time to sit for the pre-pre-entrance video explaining the rules in 3 languages repeated 6 times… this is an exaggeration. There one no video, 1 language, no sitting- but the rules being repeated 6 times is true. Rules included (actual words that were said to us) “Do not touch the sand, play with the sand, do not climb the rocks, do not touch the fences or climb on the fences- there is no screaming, yelling, or loud talking. No splashing, you are to be calm and quiet this is quiet time, you have to stay with your child at all times, they can not enter the upper hot springs, they must remain with you, you can not leave them unattended. You will be asked to leave if they are loud, or splash.” Repeated 6 times. *Because we had an 8 year old with us after 4pm and didn’t stop at the fork in the road to read the rules. Kind of distracted by the axle grabbing pot holes we were navigating to avoid being stuck 40 minutes away from the nearest neighbor in winter while dressed in bathing suits.

Be prepared to be ushered out before closing… (actually that was the kindest the host were to us… )🤔 was upon us exiting the premises.

We passed another family in another SUV on the road. The “pre pre entrance” instructions must have deterred them from even entering the hot springs because though they survived the drive up they opted NOT to come in!!! They were all adults with no children in tow, and were also greeted outside before they could even make it inside to pay they got a spiel about how they were closing in an hour.

While I was grateful the host let in the 8 year old during “quiet time” so we could stay and try to enjoy the 40 minutes we had left to sit quietly. The surroundings were quite beautiful, the adult pool was the hottest water but we only enjoyed it a few minutes before departed due to fear of leaving a child unattended (there were 4 teenagers that could have watched her).

Needless to say, while we enjoyed our time with our out of town friends, (we left with jokes and stories that will become memories forever.) We were not relaxed. We were on edge.

I can see how this would be enjoyable under the right circumstances but that wasn’t our experience. And to top it off one of the staff was smoking outside. (while signs were posted that there was no smoking) this was a “clean air zone” so no idling vehicles were permitted hence they have you park a 1/10 of a mile down the hill and you are to walk up to the springs after dropping off your party.

Enjoy the hot...

Sadly, after several trips here over the years, we won't be going back. I'll preface this review by owning the fact that I forgot they don't take cards for payment. That was my bad. But here's how my visit went down...

My family drove up to Gold Fork Hot Springs along with friends of ours with kids of similar age. When we get there, our friends had enough cash for themselves to get in, but like I mentioned -- I forgot they don't take cards. My young daughters had just sat in the car for an hour and a half, and were very excited to take a dip with their friends. So I ask the boorish gentleman behind the counter if my wife and daughters can go on in with our friends while I drive up to Donnelly for cash. The guy flat-out refused. Mind you, the round trip to Donnelly - in the snow - is about 45 minutes. I tried to reason with the guy and explain that my kids had just been in the car for a long time, and it would really mean a lot to me if they could go in and maximize time with their friends. He was completely unwilling to allow it.

Was he within his rights to do this? Absolutely. Was it reasonable? Absolutely not. He had literally 100% certainty that I would be returning, and in the spirit of customer service and compassion to two young kids who were visibly disappointed, it would have been no sweat off his back.

So, I load the family up, and we drive up to Donnelly for cash. When we finally get back to Gold Fork, about 40 minutes has elapsed. I maintain composure with Argus Filch and pay $40 in his coveted cash. Prior to entering, however - we are then subjected to a lecturing of the long list of rules. I get it... they want to keep the place nice, and they want to minimize disruptions. All good, all reasonable. Where I have a MAJOR problem is when some rumpled hermit stranger preemptively chastises my children directly for something that they haven't even done. This guy says to my daughters: "I don't want to see ANY sand in your hands when you are in the sand pool."

Listen, guy. You tell ME the rules, and I will handle the parenting. The nerve of this guy, after he just sent us packing for cash and shortening our time with our friends by almost half, to talk to my children like he did... it was beyond the pale. That's sacred ground that often results in papa bears getting mighty angry. If our friends weren't already inside, I would have gotten my $40 back, offered some constructive criticism, collected my family, and scrammed.

I can't in good conscience continue to patronize this establishment. It's really a shame because it's a wonderful place, especially in the winter with snow all around. Unfortunately, I will not...

Disappointing Experience at the Hot Springs

I recently visited gold fork hot springs expecting a relaxing and rejuvenating experience, but unfortunately, it turned out to be a major letdown. From the moment I arrived, it was clear that this place was not well-maintained, and my visit quickly turned from a tranquil retreat to a frustrating ordeal.

Firstly, the condition of the facilities was shockingly poor. The entrance was poorly marked, and the parking lot was messy and overcrowded. When I finally made my way to the springs area, I was greeted with an overgrown, neglected landscape that made it hard to feel the serenity I had hoped for. There was litter along the walkways, and the natural beauty of the place was overshadowed by visible signs of disrepair.

The hot springs themselves were far from the idyllic, crystal-clear waters I had imagined. The water was murky and had an unpleasant smell, which made it hard to relax. To make matters worse, the springs were overcrowded, with loud groups of people taking away any sense of peace or calm. It felt less like a tranquil spa and more like a public pool.

The changing rooms and restrooms were equally disappointing. They were not only outdated and poorly lit, but they also weren’t very clean. The floors were wet and slippery, and the lockers were flimsy, making it difficult to store personal items securely.

What really compounded my frustration, though, was the lack of customer service. The staff were unenthusiastic and seemed uninterested in addressing any concerns. When I asked about the temperature of the water and other amenities, I was met with vague responses, which made it clear that guest satisfaction was not a priority.

Lastly, the price was outrageously high for such a subpar experience. For what I paid, I expected much more in terms of both quality and service. Instead, I left feeling like I had wasted my money.

Overall, I would not recommend this hot springs to anyone. It failed on nearly every front — from the maintenance of the facilities to the quality of the experience itself. There are many other hot springs out there that offer a far better experience, and this one is definitely not...