The Kirkham Hot Springs Day Use Area in Lowman, Idaho, was renovated to include a restroom and pavilion. Romtec took the lead in the design and engineering of the hot springs pavilion and delivered a pre-engineered building package to the site to be installed by the contractor.
Romtec partnered with the USDA Forest Service to deliver a thoughtfully engineered hot springs pavilion designed to enhance the visitor experience and provide much-needed shade.
Kirkham Hot Springs Pavilion
Kirkham Hot Springs is located next to the South Fork Payette River east of Lowman, Idaho. Located just two hours from Boise in the Boise National Forest, the hot springs are one of Idaho’s most beloved roadside destinations. The Kirkham Hot Springs, which are nestled along the South Fork of the Payette River, feature mineral pools, cascading waterfalls, and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
The hot springs pavilion serves as a convenient and comfortable staging area for guests preparing to soak in the pools or hike nearby trails. The shade structure is especially vital during Idaho’s hot summer months, when there’s limited natural cover in the area.
Key features of Kirkham Hot Springs:
• Hot springs: Ranging from 95-110 degrees, the pools suit different comfort levels.
• Natural waterfalls: Geothermal water cascades into rock-formed pools, offering a gentle massage effect.
• Accessibility: Located right off State Highway 21, with a short walk from the parking area.
• Rustic charm: No commercial spa amenities.
Need For a Shade Structure
While there are a few Ponderosa pines at the day use area, most of the site can be very hot and sunny during the summer months due to a lack of shade. The hot springs addition is a nice addition to the area as it provides shade in the sweltry conditions. Additionally, during especially rainy or snowy times – the pavilion will also be there to protect people from the elements.
Native Americans first used the natural hot springs and recognized them for their healing properties. Even today, the high mineral content is known to soothe sore muscles, ease joint pain, and promote overall relaxation.
Having a pavilion near the hot springs offers a number of benefits:
• Protection from the elements.
• Staging area for visitors.
• Improved wayfinding and accessibility.
• Integration with amenities.
• Environmental management.
• Support for multi-use sites.
• Enhance the relaxation experience.
• Durable, low-maintenance solution.
Design Specifics
The building package was installed by Dofine Construction.
The 40-foot by 32-foot pavilion was designed with durable, natural materials to complement the scenic location:
• Resawn timber construction.
• Hunter green metal roofing, selected to match the surrounding forest aesthetic.
• Tongue and groove wood decking.
• Powder coated metal braces.
USDA Forest Service representative Paul McCloskey said, “Romtec was very helpful during market research for my project… Design and materials were delivered in a timely fashion and seem to be of high quality. I think the products look great and am excited to see it when the picnic tables are installed.”
Improvement Project at Kirkham Hot Springs
In addition to the hot springs, the Lowman Ranger District offers a range of outdoor recreation, such as the Kirkham Ridge Trail and South Fork Payette River.
Kirkham Ridge Trail is the premier trail in the area, which starts less than ¼ mile from the hot springs pavilion and runs for 35 miles. The trail is open to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and seasonal off-road vehicle usage.
South Fork Payette River has a lot of options for recreation, including whitewater rafting and kayaking, fly fishing, and photography.
Blending With Nature
This hot springs pavilion project at Kirkham reflects Romtec’s ability to blend engineering structure solutions with natural aesthetics. Romtec’s building package was delivered on time, performed as designed, and offers an attractive and functional amenity to the site.