The springs were historically used by local Bannock and Shoshone Native Americans.

[1] In the early 1800s, explorers and fur trappers knew of the hot springs, and Robert Dempsey built a permanent camp nearby.

In 1902, the Shoshone and Bannock peoples ceded the hot springs site and surrounding acreage to the U.S.

[2] Lava Hot Springs is located at 42°37′10″N 112°0′51″W / 42.61944°N 112.01417°W / 42.61944; -112.01417 (42.619482, -112.014283),[3] at an elevation of 5,020 feet (1,530 m) above sea level.

The rock content of the spring vents consist of Paleozoic quartzite and younger travertine.