Pines Motel * Guest Haus

105 South Main Street, Driggs, Idaho 83422

Located in Downtown Driggs! WELCOME!

Please call for reservations: 307-264-8210

WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING PETS--SO SORRY!!

What We Offer:

* Private bathrooms

* Mini-refrigerators & microwaves

* Dish TV & Wi-Fi

* Gas grill & picnic area

* Children welcome

Who We Are:

Pines Motel * Guest Haus

The Pines Motel * Guest Haus has been in the Frantz / Nielson family for over 50 years. We're John and Nancy Nielson, and our goal is to offer you true hospitality at an affordable price. The atmosphere is that of a small European guesthouse that's surrounded by an acre of tree-covered lawn. Whether your aim is a quick get-away to enjoy that famous Targhee powder, a week exploring the Teton / Yellowstone area or a family reunion, we think you'll find yourself at home with us.

We took a lovely walk one day in March '23, and watched a snowstorm blow into the valley and overtake us! It was one of those days when we'd rather be walking in it than skiing in it! We thoroughly enjoy our ski days At Targhee each winter, soon to be upon us again. . . .

💪

We are one of many proud sponsors for this weekend's

"Wasatch Warriors" bodybuilding Competition

at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Our daughter Ruth Nielson is entering the contest as a novice in her age group, and many of her friends and family will be there to cheer her on as she competes!

💪

We are proud sponsors for the second time this weekend at the June 6, 2026 Idaho Muscle Classic

💪

Ruth is pumped to be in her second bodybuilding show, this time near Boise, Idaho in Garden City.

The photo below the poster shows some of the family/friends group that rallied round Ruth at the Wasatch Warriors event.

Ruth placed in three of her events, and is anticipating more of the same this weekend!

Where in the World are John and Nancy?

We love to travel, wandering the back roads to see what we can discover, or visiting one of our children somewhere around the world. I carry along my camera (and now my phone) and we stop often for pictures.

Soaking in hot springs is one of our favorite pastimes while traveling: in pools built near the edges of rivers or up canyons, in commercial pools, and in cattle troughs or bathtubs on BLM or private lands.

In 2013 I decided to do something that we thought you might find enjoyable: I occasionally posted a hot springs photo of us from one of our trips, and asked you to pinpoint exactly where we were. The first person to respond with the correct name of the hot springs and the nearest town won a free room for two at the Pines Motel!

But now with the world as it is, the game has changed, and it's no longer the joy it once was for me to talk "hot springs" with the folks who'd been there. It's too easy now to simply Google a photo. . . . So I will still post more hot spring photos when I get the time, but for your enjoyment only. Thank you for sharing the excitement of old and new soaking spots with us these past 12 years.

John and Nancy

Check these out--you may find yourself near one of these and decide to soak!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #38 May 28, 2025

We were able to soak both evening and morning in this hidden jewel.

John found a new friend here!

Winner: Patricia Williams, Boise, ID

We loved this place that was originally built in the 1920's as the American Legion Health Resort. It's called Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs & Resort now. The 108 degree mineral water comes from an Artesian well that's over 3000 feet deep!

This is the big pool behind us where we're soaking in the hot tub.

Here you can see it with the morning sun shining in! Lovely for lap swimming!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #37 May 26, 2025

Winner: Laekyn, Green River, WY

Gravity-fed spring water feeds a number of soaking pools at this delightful hot springs.

This is Cottonwood Hot Springs Inn & Spa about 5 mi SW of Buena Vista, CO.

They have many lovely soaking pools and various overnight accommodations on site.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #36 Feb 5, 2025

Winner: Filaree Way, Victor, ID

We found this funny old place in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, in our wanderings before I ever started this thread, back in 2011! It was previously known as Marshall Mineral Pools, a motel built in the 1930's.

It is now known as La Paloma Hot Springs and Spa, which bought out the neighbor, Hay Yo Kay Hot Springs, changing its name to La Paloma Too Bathhouse, with similar below-ground soaking tubs.

Have any of you been there lately? There seems to be some question as to whether or not it's open.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #35 Oct 9, 2024

We were in this wonderfully hot pool barely long enough for a photo, when everyone had to vacate the pools because of lightning. It stormed most of our stay while we were camping here, so we did not get to enjoy the pools as much as we would have liked!

Winners: Tim H, Boise, ID

Stephanie Bartels, Ketchum, ID

I had two people guess correctly on the same day before I could post a comment on this one! So I honored each one with a gift certificate. 🙂

This hot spring is Bear River Hot Springs, 6 miles north of Preston, ID. I edited the original photo to cut out the bear when I posted it for folks to guess. I knew it would be too easy if I left in in!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #34 May 18, 2024

This beautiful, well-maintained warm spring might be a great swimming hole in the summer months, but it was just a bit too chilly for me in the month of May!!

John opted to take the photo instead of joining me in the water (which was so gallant of him)!

Winner: Lee Kaplan, Moab, UT

This is Panaca Warm Springs about a mile or so N of the town of Panaca, NV. It is well cared for by the town, and in the middle of summer, I would guess it to be just right for a lovely swimming hole!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are Rosemary and Nancy #33 May 16, 2024

Many times over the years I went hot- springing with my mother, Rosemary, when we could pull it off. Here is a hot spring that was one of her favorites, in one of her favorite places on earth! She's been gone now for 6 years, but in loving memory, what hot spring is this? Sadly, like so many others, this one is no longer open to the public.

Winner: Dan Shaffer, Helena, MT

This was Boiling River, about 3 miles south of Gardiner, MT, just over the WY border in Yellowstone. It closed first during Covid, then indefinitely after historic floods destroyed the river in 2022. Perhaps it will re-emerge at a future date--hope so!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #32 March 24, 2024

This was the view from our scenic camping spot in the Indian Springs campground.

The red, white, and blue shade across the pool was a plus on a really hot day. We truly enjoyed this hot spring and all that the area had to offer, and we hope to make it there again sometime!

Winner: Iane Benicio, Sao Paulo, Brazil

This delightful hot spring is Indian Springs Resort & RV in American Falls, ID.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #31 May 27, 2023

We first took our six kids to this hot spring in 1998 and we all loved it!

The two of us finally made it back 15 year later, & we enjoyed it just as much the second time!

Winner: Jason Strunk, Heyburn, ID

This is Mystic Hot Springs in Monroe, Utah. Besides the bathtubs it also has a nice soaking pool, and an assortment of odds and ends old "hippie buses" set up to rent overnight. A funky, fun place!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #30 May 27, 2023

Yet another of our favorite hot springs!! I couldn't pass up this picture of John with one of our daughters, up to his usual antics!

Ron guessed the name of this Hot Spring and one of its two nearest towns to win a free night at the Pines Motel for two people!

Reservations are required on weekends (Fri, Sat) since those are their busiest days.

Winner: Ron Eardley, Boise, ID

This is Miracle Hot Springs in Hagerman Valley, Idaho. The two closest towns are Hagerman and Buhl, ID. This is one we've gone to many many times with family. We love it! They also have a campground, which we used once when we had a camper van. One larger pool is just right for swimming lazy laps. The hot pool is quite hot, with a deck above it for sunning in their deck chairs. The pool shown here is perfect for soaking and they try to have chess sets on hand! They also have private hot pools to rent. One of their glamping domes is visible in the background of this picture.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #29 March 23, 2023

Not too deep!! Getting there!

You'll most likely have this one to yourself--be sure to pack out what you pack in--take care that we don't lose this one!

Winner: Christopher Spogis, Bozeman, MT

We found this lovely little hot spring near Pony, Montana. It has two names: Upper Potosi Hot Springs, or NuPotosi Hot Springs. It's a little tricky to find--seems you think you must have missed it somehow, and then all of the sudden there it is--a bit unassuming, fenced to keep the cows out!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #28 Feb. 4, 2023

Winner: Eleonora Burlini, Rome, Italy (currently residing in Casper, WY)

We loved this place and hope to return again soon! I did not manage to get us both in this picture, but it was a wonderful soak!! This is Gila Hot Spring River Campground, located near the Gila River, 40 miles north of Silver City, New Mexico.

The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument is only 4 miles away, and it is a pretty good guess that back in the day, the builders of the cliff dwellings, the people of the Mogollon (Southern Ancetral Pueblo) culture, enjoyed its sweet waters. Do visit the cliff dwellings--the hour's hike/walk is truly breathtaking and lovely.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #27 Jan. 9, 2023

We enjoyed this sweet soak and hope to make it there again.

I thought this one might be pretty easy, and I was right--it was guessed within the hour!

It is Gold Fork Hot Springs near the towns of Roseberry and Donnelly, ID. It has several pools with varying temperatures dropping one into another down the hillside, and a nice, heated yurt for changing clothes.

Winner: Bea Purchase, Boise, ID

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #26 Jan. 9, 2023

Close-up of the three man-made soaking pools

We were actually unable to get into this hot spring by the time we walked to it late that day. It was a November day with goatshead stickers by the ka-zillions, ice on the creek, and the main bridge was closed.

At high water the spring is on an island, so you park where the road is flooded, and wade the river.

I only took a couple of pictures this day--this one backs off to give you a bigger view back toward the way we came. This finally enabled a hot springer to recognize the place and call me!

Winner: Elli Becker, Livingston, MT

This is Juntura Warm Springs about 3 miles from Juntura, OR. You can see a (hotter) larger pool in both pictures behind the rocked-in ones along the bend in the North Fork of the Malheur River. I understand that you should take a bucket for river water if you hope to soak in the larger pool!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #25 Sept. 4, 2022

This hot springs was a special treat because we had a daughter and grandson with us! There were 4 pools here, so lots of choices to splash and soak and swim.

This is Durfee Hot Springs in Almo, ID. We were blessed to have the place to ourselves the day we soaked, since we arrived on a "Closed" day. But since a party was due in later, we'd traveled a bit of a distance, and had always wanted to try it, the owners were sweet enough to give us a little time in the pool. So be sure to check their website for their current days/hours!!

Winner: Carol Waller, Hailey, ID

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #24 Sept. 4, 2022

Winner: Ariel Cooper, Springfield, OR

This was a perfect hot spring that we thoroughly enjoyed-- from the little pool we're in to the flat creek bottom where the fish nibbled our legs and toes. Last time we stopped by, the gate was locked. It was supposed to open again in 2022, and a little birdie told me renovations were completed....

Thanks for playing the guessing game, everyone!

This hot spring has finally been guessed this month of May, 2025, about 2 1/2 years after I posted it! It's been our longest running Hot Spring without a correct guess.

This is Ash Springs, 8 miles north of the town of Alamo, NV, just past the unincorporated community of the same name--Ash Springs, NV. I'm still not certain if it's been reopened. If someone's been there recently, please let me know!!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #23 Sept. 3, 2022

We visited this place years ago, and finally returned for the adventure again. We forgot to get a picture of us together in the pool we were enjoying it so much! So that's Nancy getting ready to go down the slide!

Winner: Mike Kusiek, Lander, WY

This is Evans Plunge Mineral Springs in Hot Springs, South Dakota. We picked a perfect day to have the place practically to ourselves! One of the coolest happenings while we were there was of one of the lifeguards playing around after his shift on the rings at the far end, hanging from the ceiling. I finally found a shot of us in the hot pool near the slide. It's a great place for kids to splash and play.

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #22 June 27, 2022

Winner: Tim H, Boise, ID

This is Carson Hot Springs Resort in Carson, Washington. Adults can enjoy a nice soak in the therapy pool (pictured) or have a private soak in the (1930's) bathhouse or add a stay in the historic (1901) hotel or in the newer addition.

This hot springs had two communal pools, one hot, one cold. I don't believe we dipped into the cold one this time!

---------------------------------------------------------------------Where in the World are John and Nancy #21 June 12, 2022

A primitive hot springs, typically clothing optional. There is a north and a south bank, with the south bank definitely a better soak.

We picked a rainy day, so the umbrella gave me my only protection as I managed to put on mostly dry clothes.

Winner: Jainne Abraham, Fayetteville, AR

This is the south bank of McCredie Hot Springs near Oakridge, Oregon. It was a little tricky to find it from OR 58, but it was an interesting soak!

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #20 February 21, 2022

This is the deepest of three springs in the same area. Beautifully clear water and open all year, we had it to ourselves when we visited on a May day.

Winner: Sara Lea, Idaho Falls, ID

This is one of the soaking pools at Meadow Hot Springs about 6 miles from Meadow, UT, south of Provo.

Winner: Sara Lea, Idaho Falls, ID

This is one of the soaking pools at Meadow Hot Springs, UT about 6 miles from Meadow, UT, south of Provo.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #19 February 21, 2022

Winner: Matt LaBelle, Denver, Colorado

This is Kosk Creek Hot Springs near Big Bend, California

This was definitely worth the treasure hunt it took to find this little jewel! There are other soaking pools upstream about a 1/4 mile or so as well, but they needed work the day we were there.

The upstream pools are called Hunt Hot Springs, and you pass these by to continue downstream to the delightful soaking pool you see here. It was just the right size and temperature for us to enjoy the fall colors and crisp air.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #18 February 20, 2022

This was a lovely, clean and quiet hot springs that found John mostly in the giant hot tub that particular spring day. I can imagine how busy it might be in the midst of the summer season! I thoroughly enjoyed swimming laps in the warm swimming pool.

See John circled in yellow in the hot tub on the right!

Winner: Olivia Belk, Louisville, KY

This is Nat Soo Pah Hot Springs near Hollister, Idaho

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #17 February 18, 2022

Winner: Anita Judd from Morro Bay, California

It was a crazy adventure getting to this soaking tub north of Winnemucca, NV. It's called Paradise Valley Hot Springs, and it was worth the trip!! But if it's recently rained, you may want to consider what shoes you plan to wear. . . .

We did not expect to trek through such thick mud in late October in order to enjoy such a wonderful soak.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #16 July 8, 2021

This hot springs is another absolute favorite that I hope to visit again soon! Should be a couple dead giveaways in this photo for anyone who's been there. So to make this one just a little bit trickier, tell us which pool we're in!!!

Winner: Zoe Eby from Victor, Idaho

This is the Tranquility Pool at The Springs Resort & Spa in Pagosa Springs, CO. The "giveaways" were the domed building and the general layout of the pools.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #15 March 5, 2021

Winner: Stephanie Wyler, Boise, Idaho

This was Ogden Hot Springs in Utah, up Ogden Canyon about 5 miles. There was a big road construction project that destroyed the beloved pools.

We visited this hot springs a few years back when it was still open. Some local hardy hotspringers need to rebuild it! (Please do!!) If anyone hears that it's being worked on, please let me know--I'd love to post here if it reopens!

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #14 March 5, 2021

This is another of our favorite hot springs (enhanced by the CCC in the 30's) that we don't get to nearly often enough!

In case you're interested:

Granite Creek Falls Hot Springs is a turn to the right about 0.7 miles before you reach the commercial springs. We actually haven't soaked in that one yet!

Winner: Michelle Taylor from Mesa, Arizona

This is the beloved Granite Hot Springs, 30 miles southeast of Jackson, Wyoming. A favorite in both late spring/summer and in winter (even by dog-sled tour!)

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #13 March 5, 2021

Winner: David Mower from Hauna Lei, Kuai, Hawaii

This is the soaking shack at Bonneville Hot Springs, near the campground of the same name about 9 miles west of Grandjean, Idaho. The campground used to be called Warm Springs Campground.

This little bathhouse with tub was an enjoyable addition to the soaking pools along the creek edge of this hot springs, where volunteers mix the water to their liking. What's the name of this hot springs, near what campground, in what state?

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #12 March 5, 2021

Have any of you found this hot springs?? What newsworthy event happened there in 2020?

Answer:

There was a fire there in August of 2020 that destroyed the bathhouse, but now, about two years later, they have reopened most of the resort and are hoping to be fully open this winter, 2022/23.

Winner: Johnathan B. from Colorado

This is the Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. We're in the Iron Pool, one of many at this lovely resort.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #11 March 30, 2020

Before I could take "selfies" with my old-fashioned camera, I got a shot of John soaking at this wonderful hot springs. We thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness and intimacy of what was offered.

Winner: Carole Revelt, Salt Lake City, UT

This is the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort in Saratoga, Wyoming. Sadly, they're no longer open for day use-- you must be a resort guest to use them. But it's a lovely place if you want a luxurious getaway.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #10 February 16, 2020

Winner: Ken Baskett from Eagle, Idaho

This is Burgdorf Hot Springs, about 30 miles northeast of McCall, Idaho. It is a lovey place at the end of a beautiful drive through the Payette National Forest.

We had some time off again last fall, and traipsed around finding new hot springs. This one was probably our favorite of the whole trip.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #9 January 24, 2019

This one's different. We loved this place so much we stayed an extra night just to use the hot pool again!!

Happy Soaking!!

This one's being a bit too tricky, I'm afraid. I've added a second photo of the lovely outdoor pool as well. This motel even had a free limo service for anyone who wanted to go downtown for drinks or dinner. Great place, and reasonably priced considering the amenities.

Winners: Jennifer and Ryan from Oregon

These are the outdoor hot tub and pool at the Humboldt Bay Inn (Best Western) in Eureka, California!

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #8 February 17, 2018

Winner: Brad Galleher from Boise, Idaho

This is Strawberry Park Hot Springs a few miles from Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

We enjoyed a few new hot springs last fall, and I've finally found time to post one of our favorites.

We really enjoyed this place. Well worth the summer drive or winter shuttle!

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #7 May 19, 2017

Here is a primitive hot springs requiring a half-mile hike up a creek in the Clearwater National Forest. For which creek is it named, and into which river does it flow?

Happy soaking!

Winner: Chris Valiante from Driggs, Idaho

This is Weir Creek Hot Springs which flows into the Lochsa River in the Clearwater National Forest, about 45 miles northeast of Lowell, Idaho. It's a great little soak after a lovely, short hike.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #6 May 24, 2016

Winner: Tom A. from Pendleton, South Carolina

This is Norris Hot Springs in Norris, Montana . We had to make plans for this one on our trip because their open hours were unusual for us. You might want to call ahead.

We've been hot springing again! We visited several new ones this spring on our little vacation, and thought you might be able to guess this one.

We hope you get to enjoy some hot springs yourself this summer on your travels.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #5 July 17, 2015

We added a couple photos to help with this one! There seems to be a mining setup happening across the river from this hot springs.

We had a wonderful time discovering over twenty hot springs in May this year. (Hint: Obviously, they must have been a bit close together for us to make it to so many!) Here's a new one for you in a setting that was both beautiful and restful.

We hope you enjoy this activity as much as we do!

Winner: Annabel Armstrong from Boise, Idaho

Yay!!!! Another winner at last!!!! This is the delightful, easily accessible Hot Springs Campground, southeast of Garden Valley, Idaho along the South Fork of the Payette River.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #4 March 30, 2015

Here we are again at a lovely hot springs. Covered in greenhouse plastic, it was a great soak in February!!

NOTICE!!!

Apparently we've stumped everyone with this one, so we've added another picture as a second clue: it's of the indoor Jacuzzi, with a painting on the wall that should be a giveaway to anyone who's been there.

Winner: Kara Meier from Bozeman, Montana

Yay!!!! A winner at last!!!! This is a rustic resort/hot springs near Sula MT--Lost Trail Hot Springs Resort at the base of Lost Trail Pass, just over the Idaho border on HW 93. At the top of the pass is the Lost Trail Ski Area which straddles the border between the states. Check it out!

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #3 January 15, 2015

Have any of you found this hot spring? This is a sweet little soak--we've usually had it to ourselves when we've been there. The power poles in the photo help you find it easily. It has a couple of changing rooms , a fire pit, and tables for picnicking.

Winner: Penny Green from Logan, Utah

This is Sharkey Hot Spring southeast of Salmon, ID near Tendoy on BLM land.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #2 June 7, 2015

Winners: Lex and Erin Case from Meridian, Idaho

We were on the Salmon River near Stanley, ID. The Hot Spring has two names: Boat Box or Elkhorn Hot Spring.

Here we are at another of our favorite hot springs.

This hot spring has had two names, and the soaking tub used to be an old, round, wooden tub.

The buoy is really nifty--the top was cut off and welded to the bottom for a stand. Some sweet folks attached a little wooden ledge and welded steps to it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------- Where in the World are John and Nancy? #1 November 30, 2013

This is one of our favorite places to stay in Lava. The pools are open to the public, but you can get in at any time if you're a guest here. They also serve a wonderful breakfast!

Winners: Dillon and Rachel Jenkins from Montana

This is Lava Hot Springs Inn in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho.