Best Location in Idaho for Small Multi-day Wedding: Maple Grove Hot Springs
Are you dreaming about a small multi-day wedding in Idaho and trying to find the right location? For couples who want to spend quality time with their loved ones over multiple days, Maple Grove is a great choice for their 24-hour access to hot springs, on-site luxurious yurts, cabins, and stone shelters, proximity to trails and the Oneida narrows, as well as community gathering spaces and option for catering. This blog post will cover all the questions you may have about planning a small multi-day wedding at Maple Grove Hot springs!
Table of Contents
1. About Maple Grove Hotsprings
2. Planning your Maple Grove Multi-Day Wedding
3. Maple Grove Hotsprings Wedding Vendors
About Maple Grove Hotsprings
Where is Maple Grove Hotsprings?
Closest Major Cities/Towns:
● Driving Time From Salt Lake City: 2 hrs 20 minutes
● Driving Time From Jackson Hole: 3 hrs
● Driving Time From Pocatello: 1 hr
How to Get to Maple Grove Hot springs
Closest Major Cities and Driving Directions to Maple Grove Hotsprings
These cities have airports and couples can fly into any of these locations if they’re not already within driving distance. Additionally, Maple Grove encourages guests not to use Google Maps because it can direct them to roads that are closed in the winter or impassable during muddy seasons.
Salt Lake City: Drive north on I-15. Take exit 362 towards Logan, UT on US 91/ US 89. Drive through Logan, UT to Preston, ID on US 91. After Preston, take slight right on ID 34. Drive roughly 21 miles to mile marker 29. Turn right at blue Maple Grove Hot Springs sign. Take a quick right after the mailboxes following the river on dirt Maple Grove Hot Springs Rd for 3 miles. Do NOT take HW 36. It is often muddy and inaccessible.
Jackson Hole: Drive south on US 191/US 89 towards Alpine WY. Continue on US 89 towards Alpine WY, then remain south on US 89 towards Afton. Follow ID 34 W towards Soda Springs, ID. Briefly head west on ID 30 before continuing south on ID 34 towards Grace ID. Continue on ID 34 before turning left at blue Maple Grove Hot Springs sign at mile marker 29. Take a quick right after the mailboxes following the river on dirt Maple Grove Hot Springs Rd for roughly 3 miles.
Pocatello: Drive south on I-15 once in Pocatello and take exit 47 in McCammon to HW 30 East. Pass through Lava Hot Springs towards Soda Springs and take a right south on ID 34 towards Grace. Continue ~21 miles and turn left on 13800 N just before you cross the Bear River at mile marker 29. Take a quick right after the mailboxes following the river on dirt Maple Grove Hot Springs Rd for roughly 3 miles.
Why Have Your Small Wedding at Maple Grove Hot springs
Maple Grove Hot springs is an ideal site for small weddings (up to 50 guests) and couples who are drawn to an intimate and peaceful outdoor setting. For couples who want to spend quality time with their loved ones over multiple days, Maple Grove is a great choice for their 24 hour access to hot springs, on-site luxurious yurts, cabins, and stone shelters, proximity to trails and the Oneida narrows, as well as community gathering spaces and option for catering.
FAQ’s About Maple Grove Weddings
How much does a wedding at Maple Grove cost?
Maple Grove creates custom packages for couples based on the size of the wedding, number of shelters they will need, and how many nights they will be staying. A wedding with fewer than 15 guests staying for 2 nights may cost on average $7000 for a partial rental. A wedding with 15 guests or more staying for two nights may cost on average $12,000 for a full-site rental. For couples reserving the full-site, Maple Grove requires a 2-night minimum.
What facilities are on-site?
The River House General Store and reception serves as the basecamp for all day and nightly guests. It includes a men's and women's bathhouse and shower, a grab-and-go cafe with snacks, chips, treats, ice, firewood, and a variety of cold drinks!
The General Store also includes a selection of artisan crafts and goods along with a curated collection of camp + hot spring essentials like towells, shirts, coffee mugs and more. There are also steel cooking grills on each of the communal fire pits for easy open fire cooking (check with onsite hosts for current fire conditions and seasonal restrictions).
Additionally, there is a communal propane BBQ grill on the River House patio for guest use. There are two Stone Shelter latrines (traditional camp vault latrine) located near Stone Shelters and in the Van / Tent camping lot.
What food/catering options are available?
Maple Grove offers optional catering services which vary based on the season.
Is there cell service/wifi?
Cell service is extremely limited however there is wifi available in the case of an emergency
What spaces are ADA accessible?
The Stone Latrines are ADA compliant and accessible although wheelchair access can be difficult on gravel pathways. The team is happy and willing to assist when needed. ADA parking is available in front of the River House and the River House lobby and changing stalls accommodate wheelchair access. River House restrooms are too narrow for wheelchair access although support bars are present in each room. The most ADA friendly unit is the Granite Stone Shelter. All tent sites are wheelchair accessible.
Planning Your Maple Grove Multi-day Wedding
This section will go into detail about everything a couple needs to know about Maple Grove Hotsprings, from its best features to food options to reception & ceremony sites to accommodations and more!
Top Maple Grove Features
● Getting ready locations for both partners (bathhouses or lodging units)
● 9 furnished units (5 yurts, 3 shelters, 1 wood cabin)
● Wooded campsites with capacity up to 30
● 30 ft Group forest yurt with capacity up to 40 people
● 24-hour access to natural hotsprings
● Sauna
● Canoe and paddle board rentals to float the Oneida Narrows
● Close proximity to hiking/biking trails
● Reception area with bathhouse attached
● Outdoor patio for communal dining
● Beach access for river activities
● Support staff for event coordination and management
Optional Add-Ons for Small Weddings at Maple Grove
· Catering
· Music/DJ
· Dishware/table settings
· Dance floor
· Rain/shade tent
· Additional canvas glamping tents
· Special event lighting
· decorations
Ceremony Site Options at Maple Grove
Site Option #1: Waterfall Amphitheater
This is a slightly smaller area and best for groups of 15 or fewer. The amphitheater has seating on rocks and looks out to the oneida narrows, while being wrapped on all sides by the natural source. The source is hot and if couples are considering having children at the ceremony may want to think about any hazards related to the heat.
Site Option #2: Beach Front
The beach front of the Oneida narrows is a more open grassy area and could hold more guests (up to 40 at a time).
The Best Time of Year to Get Married at Maple Grove Hot springs
Maple Grove Hot Springs is open year-round and could be the ideal place for you regardless of the season! It may be helpful to know some of the following considerations.
Winter: Maple Grove is a great place to cross country ski, alpine tour, and snowshoe in the winter and ideal for any couples who want to take advantage of the proximity to gorgeous natural spaces during their multi-day wedding. Some roads will be closed or impassable during the winter making access slightly more difficulty from some directions. Additionally, the tent and van sites are not available between late fall to early spring depending on seasonal conditions. Couples will also want to consider the potential for snowy weather at an outdoor ceremony.
Spring: Spring at Maple Grove boasts LOTS of green and blooming flowers. Spring could be a great time for a wedding however couples should consider the potential for rainy weather at an outdoor ceremony.
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Summer: Summer at Maple Grove is a great time for warm weather activities such as hiking/biking/running the trails, floating/swimming in the river, and campfires! A couple considerations for summer weddings at Maple Grove include wildfire season and smoke as well as the potential for mosquitos near standing water.
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Fall: Fall at Maple Grove is a gorgeous time for a wedding for any couples who appreciate fall colors. Due to the variety of deciduous trees in the area, the canyon around the Oneida Narrows transforms into a bright display of colors in the fall and is a beautiful time to soak in the hot springs and enjoy the views. Fall in Idaho can be a potentially unpredictable time in Idaho in relation to weather and couples may want to consider the potential for cold temperatures and even snow in late fall.
An image taken from the Maple Grove Website - click on the image to go to their website and explore
Where to Stay Near Maple Grove Hot Springs
One of the best parts of holding your multi-day wedding at Maple Grove is the option for your guests to stay on-site. However, if guests prefer to stay nearby the closest option would be Soda Springs, Idaho at the Holiday Inn or Cobblestone Inn.
Sara and Emily Peyton are a sister duo that do not disappoint. They both have extensive coordinating experience both in weddings and in other large events. I have worked with them for a couple weddings now and they were all executed flawlessly. Not to mention they are so much fun, would definitely recommend :)
Rental Companies
The Linden House
Linden House offers specialty tabletop rentals and event design. They work closely with vendors on the wedding day including the wedding planners to make sure the event runs smoothly. They take into account the guest experience as they enter a space. Linden house believes that an event should be an elevated story telling of the client and all the details that they want to share with their guests.
Florists
Flowers by LD
Since 1987, Flowers by LD has provided high quality and gorgeous floral arrangement services for Southeastern Idaho and beyond. They work with many local farms and travel around the globe to find the most high quality flowers for their clients. Josh was very professional and friendly throughout the wedding process, willing to work both with clients and other vendors to make sure that the wedding day went off without a hitch.
DJ’s
LP&H Entertainment
I spoke with Adrian a few weeks before the wedding we worked together and he was so outgoing, kind, and excited about his work! He genuinely enjoys making music for his clients and is a joy to work with. He has lots of experiences DJing for weddings and other events and knows how to read the crowd for mood changes and music choices.
Caterers
Confections Bakery
Confections Bakery is also located in Pocatello and is connected to Flowers by LD with whom they often work. Nathan Chandler is a very talented and professional baker with skills that have been featured on Blue Ribbon Baking Championship on Netflix. Nathan was very professional and friendly, the dessert table was gorgeous, so tasty, and even included allergen warnings for wedding guests. He truly thought of everything.
Other
Tulips and Tulle
Caitlin is such a kind and talented seamstress and artist for bridal attire. She arrived early on the wedding day to help the bride with the dress and get all of the detail photos that the bride had wanted. Since the first wedding that we worked together I’ve worked with Caitlin for other creative projects and all of her art has been gorgeous and very high quality. She is kind, professional, and great to work with!
Hiring Your Maple Grove Wedding Photographer/Videographer
Julia Phelps Photography
As an Idaho wedding and elopement photographer/videographer, I value bringing couples a meaningful, thoughtfully crafted experience that celebrates the Idaho wilderness while telling their story through a blend of candid documentaryand gently prompted photography and videography. In my photography/videography, I seek to capture connection, witness and document life’s most important moments, and tell a story. As a photographer/videographer, I am greatly influenced by my experiences as a multifaceted human being and know that you are as well.
I was born and raised in Idaho and care deeply about protecting and celebrating the land and the community here. To me that means that I live by Leave No Trace practices to care for and protect the land and that I welcome and celebrate all forms of love. I want anyone who works with me to feel safe, cared for, and celebrated, regardless of where they come from or who they love. Additionally, I am bilingual and speak English and Spanish. I recognize the profound impact that the Latino community has had on Idaho, and I want all members of the bilingual and Spanish speaking community to feel welcome with me. These values impact every aspect of my work, and I am continuously seeking to grow so that I can better serve my community.
WHAT SERVICES I OFFER:
In addition to the values that guide my photography and videography, I have worked to bring clients wrap around services that don’t stop at taking their picture. This includes:
LOCATION SCOUTING AND GUIDANCE
I have spent the majority of my life in Idaho, exploring its mountains, lakes, and trails. This means I can offer a local perspective to many of the locations that we might venture together. More importantly, living in Idaho has taught me how to find the best trails, what gear you’ll want to bring, and when you’ll want to go. This is even more valuable because I can help you find the best location for you even if I have not yet been there myself.
ELOPEMENT PLANNING
In traditional weddings, many couples will hire a wedding planner to help coordinate and direct their day. In an elopement, the photographer also fills that role. I like to help my couples every step of the way, from finding the right location, to planning activities, to choosing vendors. It brings me so much joy to help you bring your dream elopement to life.
ORDAINED OFFICIANT SERVICES
To legally marry in Idaho, you’ll need an ordained officiant. For elopements, I can offer the service in both English and Spanish. You can check that off your list :)
VENDOR RECOMMENDATIONS
I love to be able to offer recommendations for other vendors who I know will serve their every need. If I have not worked with them myself, I will do the research to help make your life easier in choosing who will be working with you to craft your special celebration.
WHAT PACKAGES I OFFER
I offer wedding and elopement photography and videography packages ranging from half day and ceremony only to multi day experiences. Reach out to find out which package is right for you :)
If this sounds like you and you’d like to talk more about planning your wedding at Maple Grove with me as your hybrid photographer/videographer, contact me on my website. I can’t wait to meet you!