Soda Springs

Soda Springs is a city in Idaho known for natural mineral springs that emerge from the ground across the landscape, creating a distinctive water-rich environment. Located at roughly 1,760 meters elevation, the area is surrounded by hundreds of these carbonated water sources, formed through natural geological processes.

The area served as a navigation point for travelers and settlers long before the town was established and became a stable community in the region. A turning point came in 1937 when city officials accidentally discovered a pressurized carbon dioxide chamber while drilling for a swimming pool, leading to the creation of the world's first controlled geyser.

The name derives from the natural carbonated water sources that define the place, and these springs served as important way markers for travelers moving through the region. Today, visitors can see how these mineral-rich waters shaped the settlement's identity and connection to the land.

The controlled geyser releases water on a regular schedule through a managed system, and visitors can observe this from dedicated viewing platforms with information displays nearby. The area has walkable paths that guide you through the natural springs, making it easy to explore on foot during most of the year.

The Henry Store Museum, a preserved commercial building from 1908, offers a window into the region's early trade history and everyday commerce of that era. This store became closely tied to local events, including the Henry Stampede Rodeo, which began in 1918 and brought the community together.

Location: Caribou County

Elevation above the sea: 1,760 m

Website: http://sodaspringsid.com

GPS coordinates: 42.65810,-111.59600

Latest update: December 7, 2025 09:22