Hot springs in Montana

About hot springs in Montana

Most of Montana's listed hot springs are resorts and pools rather than wild soaks, and they are spread across the whole state. In Paradise Valley north of Yellowstone, Chico Hot Springs and Quinn's Hot Springs are the big names, and Yellowstone Hot Springs sits near Gardiner. Around Bozeman you will find Bozeman Hot Springs, a large spa complex with a dozen pools. Norris Hot Springs is a single big wooden pool, about 40 by 40 feet, filled with artesian water.

West of the Divide, the Flathead Reservation town of Hot Springs has Symes Hot Springs, Wild Horse Hot Springs and Big Medicine Hot Springs, a small outdoor cement pool owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai. In Lolo, Lolo Hot Springs sits on US 12 below Lolo Pass, and Lost Trail Hot Springs is a family resort near Sula. Boulder Hot Springs is a historic inn and spa in Boulder with an outdoor pool.

Because these are developed places, you get changing rooms, set hours and pools kept at a steady heat, with no hiking or guessing about the water. Temperatures often run 96 to 106°F, so expect warm rather than scalding. Some lodges are seasonal, so check hours with the resort before you drive. Bring a swimsuit and a towel.