With more than fifty hot springs, Montana is the place to be if you’re looking to relax in warm water surrounded by gorgeous mountain views.
Hot springs, also known as thermal springs, are naturally occurring phenomena that happen when snow or rainwater seeps into the earth, where it’s heated, and then rises, combining with pools or river water.
This heated water creates a soothing natural hot tub. Many believe that hot springs have excellent healing properties and improve circulation. Whether you’re looking for a health boost or just want to relax in nature’s hot tub with a serene view, the hot springs of Montana are worth the trip.
Yellowstone Hot Springs
With new, modern facilities and a location just ten minutes away from Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Hot Springs is the perfect location to unwind after a day of exploring.
Take a cold plunge, luxuriate in the temperate main pool, or relax in the hot pool (temperatures can reach up to 105 degrees). This location also offers RV camping, tent camping, and cabin rentals if you’re looking for a longer stay or a convenient base from which to explore Yellowstone National Park.
Potosi Hot Springs
If you’re looking for a more private experience, consider renting one of the four cabins at the Potosi Hot Springs. Unlike other hot spring locations, Potosi only offers private pool rentals.
Potosi offers a large pool, along with an indoor tub and a wood-heated sauna. There’s a lovely creek nearby, as well as a secluded valley that creates a nice buffer from everyday life.
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
Located in Paradise, Montana, Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort is nestled along the Clark Fork River. The natural hot springs are surrounded by beautiful, tree-lined hills, giving these springs the perfect backdrop.
The five pools range from 100 to 106 degrees and are offset by two salt pools and a cold plunge. You can stop by for a visit during the day, but guests of the resort have unrestricted access to the hot springs from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Norris Hot Springs
Norris Hot Springs offers a range of amenities that make this location an ideal destination. A massive, 38,000-gallon pool filled with mineral-rich spring water is perfect for soaking.
Norris frequently hosts live music events and boasts an on-site farm that creates a delicious menu of super-fresh food. In the summer, you can even camp here.
Broadwater Hot Springs & Fitness
One of the oldest natural hot springs, Broadwater Hot Springs dates back to 1889 (though the current facilities are all modern). A unique artesian well supplies the outdoor pools to provide an ideal soaking environment, with temperatures ranging from 86 to 104 degrees.
If the outdoor pool isn’t your thing, check out one of the cold plunges, steam rooms, or saunas. There’s even a fitness floor. After you’re done soaking, be sure to check out the onsite grill and taproom.
Elkhorn Hot Springs
The Elkhorn Hot Springs also has a long history, dating back to 1918. Guests can enjoy a taste of Montana from the early 1900s, as the facility remains largely unchanged.
There’s an indoor wet sauna and several outdoor pools, all naturally heated and chemical-free, that range from 92 to 102 degrees. The rustic lodge and cabins create the perfect old-fashioned vacation with the stunning Pioneer Mountains in the background.
Bozeman Hot Springs
Bozeman has long been a popular tourist destination, but few know it’s also home to an impressive series of twelve natural hot springs.
In addition to the pools, Bozeman Hot Springs offers wet saunas, dry saunas, a fitness center, and live music. Only forty-five minutes from Big Sky Resort and ninety minutes from Yellowstone National Park, this location is perfect for relaxing after a long day of exploration.
Chico Hot Springs
Chico Hot Springs, established in 1900, offers several amenities in addition to two open-air, chemical-free mineral pools. If soaking in a hot spring isn’t relaxing enough, check out their day spa or book a table in their historic dining room for a top-quality meal.
You can stay in one of the lodges or rent a luxury cabin, some of which include tubs and private decks.
Jackson Hot Springs
Open year-round, Jackson Hot Springs allows guests the unique experience of soaking in a hot spring during the cold winter months. This location is known for its classic western lifestyle and the local Hot Springs Grill.
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs
Located in Saco, Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs first opened as a health resort in the 1920s. It remains one of the most popular hot springs in Montana.
Enjoy one of the multiple indoor hot spring pools, which are filled with natural mineral water on a daily basis. You can also enjoy the sauna or rent a cabin.
Lost Trail Hot Springs
Located close to Lost Trail Powder Mountain, the Lost Trail Hot Springs is a rustic location that’s perfect for a soak. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the Salmon-Challis National Forest while relaxing in the twenty by seventy foot pool, which has an average temperature of 92 to 96 degrees thanks to the greenhouse covering the pool.
Whether your goal is simply to soak in a hot spring or enjoy a day of adventure before relaxing, there is a hot spring in Montana that’s perfectly suited to your needs.
