NOTES: - If you're camping, either be well-fed when you arrive or bring food with you. The next morning we ate our breakfast (which we had brought with us), packed up camp, and hit the road. Then we headed back to camp, where we looked at the starry, starry sky for a few minutes, and were subsequently lulled off to sleep by the rhythmic chink-chink-chink of sprinklers not too far off, and the occasional distant howl of a coyote, or 'mooo' of an enthusiastic cow. The granddaughter (age 7) got a big kick out of sitting in the 'lifeguard seat' for a few minutes. sharing the pool with a couple families and what looked like a well-disciplined Boy Scout group. Givens' is definitely 20 minutes away from 'civilization.') We pitched our tent and rolled out our bags. we'd already had dinner at a restaurant (NOT nearby. Most recently, the granddaughter and I visited by motorcycle. It's nice to relax both body AND mind, and just bask in a more laid-back hour or two (or overnight). We enjoy the place specifically BECAUSE of the rustic nature. It's an open meadow, shaded by big trees, with some fire pits and wooden picnic tables. The camping area, likewise, is NOT like what you might find at a fancy RV park. The pool is not adorned with Venetian tile, nor is it staffed by a cadre of masseuses and therapists. It won't provide that big-city or luxury-resort 'spa' experience. and at this point I'm also starting to bring grandkids. As an adult, I've visited with my wife and kids now and then.

I've lived in Boise (50 miles or so distant) my entire life, and some of my earliest fond memories are of family trips to Givens' to swim. Swim lessons and lifeguarding lessons, water aerobics and other swim arrangements can be made. If you don’t want rustic, there are lots of other options in the treasure valley.

Some people search out remote hot springs and travel to experience them. They keep the fees reasonable and the pool safe. Give them a break they are trying to maintain a historic hot spring in a remote location. They are pleasant, but can be overwhelming for other swimmers who may choose to vacate for the night. Some Friday night’s large numbers of fathers and sons come here for a campout 100 or more swimmers. Bring what you need because it is a 40 minute drive to shop in Nampa Idaho. We had a nice week stay, camped in tents and an RV. They rent an enclosed pavilion for larger gatherings. Showers are only available during open swim after 12:00 noon in the pool-house. The water is all warm sometimes very hot water.

The RV hookups are 15amps there are no sewer hookup and no dump station. The Trailer house can be rented it is dated but has 3 bedrooms and a living room and a kitchen and bathroom. The old cabin is cute and has a kitchen and toilet, but no shower. Enjoy a sense of pioneer conditions and early 20th century fixtures. Be ready to accept rough improvements in exchange for a “natural hot spring pool”. The Rustic pool-house puts some people off, as does the limited camping amenities. Local families and some travelers stop here for a relaxing swim or a few days camp. Ancient winter camp, turned homestead, then stage stop with travelers bathing facilities and now a swimming pool and campground. Attraction – 11309 Highway 78, Idaho, United States VERY RUSTIC facilities, camp and covered swimming pool in the Owyhee Desert of Southern Idaho just south of the Snake River on highway 78 between Homedale and the highway 45 junction.

Homedale park in spring