Dempsey Ridge Golf Course

Lava Hot Springs sits in a pocket of southeastern Idaho's Portneuf River valley, a small resort town better known for its natural hot springs and white-water tubing than for its golf — which makes the presence of a full 18-hole layout here a pleasant surprise for visitors passing through. The surrounding landscape is high desert rimmed by dry ridgelines, and a name like Dempsey Ridge signals that the course works with the area's natural topography rather than against it.

A par 70 typically suggests a design that leans on shorter, tighter challenges — likely with a pair of par 3s substituting where longer courses might offer par 5s, which can reward precision players while keeping the round moving at a good pace. That kind of layout often suits the recreational golfer who wants a complete experience without an all-day commitment.

For travelers already making a stop at Lava Hot Springs to soak in the geothermal pools or float the Portneuf, a round here fits naturally into the itinerary — a stretch of legs on hilly Idaho terrain before or after the water.