Discover the best hot springs in Montana!
Located throughout Montana’s Rocky Mountains, the Montana hot springs are varied and breathtaking!
From luxury resorts to wild pools, Montana has every type of hot spring experience that you could wish for. The changeable landscape of plains, mountains, Glacier National Park, and untouched wilderness is the perfect backdrop to a day of soaking in a natural hot spring.
As with a number of other states, Montana even has a whole town named Hot Springs due to the sheer number of natural hot springs available in the area. Needless to say, the hot springs are an essential part of Montana that brings in a lot of tourism.
In this guide, we are going to explore five of our favorite Montana hot springs and provide you with a complete list of all the hot spring locations in Montana.
5 of the Best Hot Springs in Montana
In Big Sky Country, there are so many hot springs for you to enjoy if you know where to find them. Most of the hot springs in this state are located on the western side of the state near the stretch of the Rockies shared by Canada, Wyoming, and Idaho.
Since Montana gets a lot of snow, visiting hot springs is a whole new experience in the winter. You can soak in the comfort and relaxation of the warm water while taking in the gorgeous snowy mountainous landscape.
Before visiting one of these hot springs, we suggest checking the seasonal and daily opening hours, as some locations are only open at certain times of the year.
Here are our top five Montana hot springs:
Bozeman Hot Springs
One of the most popular hot springs in Montana, Bozeman Hot Springs started as a small pool when it was discovered in the 1800s by colonizers. Since then, it has been developed and transformed into a full-scale luxury spa and hot springs experience.
The complex in the heart of Montana is made up of 12 different pools that curve around and lock in with one another to create a flowing series of pools for you to jump in and out of. The temperatures range between 59 F and 106 F, with the hottest and coldest pools placed right next to each other so you can swap between cooler and hotter pools throughout your day.
You can choose indoor or outdoor pools, but the newer pools on the outside seem to be the most popular due to the gorgeous location.
Apart from the hot springs, there is a fitness center that offers water aerobics, a steam room, and a dry sauna. If you want to combine some nightlife with your soaking experience, there are weekly live events that take place next to the outdoor pools.
If you wish to stay on-site and enjoy the springs a few days in a row, there are cabins to rent as well as RV and tent camping facilities.
The hot springs are located in Bozeman, which is a few minutes from Gallatin airport, Yellowstone National Park, and Big Sky Resort.
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs first opened as the American Legion Health Resort in the 1920s. It has since rebranded into the beautiful hot spring resort it is today.
The resort is located in Sato, near the Saskatchewan- Canada border, in a spot that gets regular snow in the winter. That makes this hot spring the perfect way to while away a cold, snowy day in the warmth of the mineral hot spring.
The source of this natural hot spring is 3200ft beneath the surface of the earth, and it pumps out 900 gallons of water per minute. In the pool, the water maintains a steady 108 F all year round.
The hot spring water is pumped into a large indoor swimming pool inside a beautifully rustic wood-paneled structure. The pool is ringed by sunloungers where you can lie and relax in between soaks. There is also a sauna available for any visitors to use.
The resort has many accommodation options to fit any budget, including luxury suites, cabins, and an RV park.
Nimrod Warm Spring
Nimrod Warm Spring is known by many as the best primitive hot spring in Montana, for very good reasons.
This sizeable natural spring in Bryne has water so clear that you can see the bottom on a good day. The pool is surrounded by an incredibly lush landscape that serves as the perfect view while you soak. It is regularly filled with water that pours down a rock wall and cascades into the pool.
Its remoteness and natural beauty turn this spot into a stunning oasis in the middle of the unassuming state.
It is very easy to get overheated and dehydrated when soaking in a hot spring, which can be an issue when you are in a remote location. For this reason, we suggest bringing plenty of cold water with you to stay hydrated.
Unfortunately, there is no camping allowed near the hot springs.
Elkhorn Hot Springs
Elkhorn Hot Springs is a secluded little spot hidden in Polaris, Montana.
The resort is made up of a series of rustic wooden-clad buildings and is surrounded by tall trees, which makes the spot feel intimate and private. This spot truly is the perfect country-style getaway.
The pools, which are open year-round, maintain temperatures between 92 F and 102 F, so they are warm enough to soak in even in the dead of winter when there is snow on the ground.
When it comes to amenities, the resort features an indoor wet sauna and a full-service restaurant. If you wish to stay on the property, there are various accommodation options, including the lodge and log cabins.
Please note that the opening hours for the hot springs vary depending on the season.
Yellowstone Hot Springs
Yellowstone Hot Springs is a location so beautiful that we call this one a must-see when you are visiting Montana.
What makes these hot springs stand out is the gorgeous location in a mountainous valley. On top of that is the aesthetically pleasing way that the pools are laid out. Smaller pools are dotted along a winding axis with one large main pool meandering between them. This gives visitors a large variety of pools and temperatures to enjoy throughout their stay.
The hot pool ranges between 103 F and 105 F, the main pool sits between 98 F and 100 F, and the cold plunge pool is much cooler, 60 F to 65 F.
Our suggestion is to visit in the winter when there is snow on the mountains so you can lay back in the warm water and take in the breathtaking landscape.
There is no booking system at Yellowstone Hot Springs, so visitors will soak on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you want to be the first one in the pool, we suggest staying on-site in a cabin or renting a spot in the RV and tent camping areas.
Full List of Montana Hot Springs
When it comes to hot springs, Montana has so many wonderful options. There are some outstanding primitive hot springs, but it’s the resorts that should not be missed in this state; they are out of this world.
Here is a comprehensive list of the all the Montana hot springs:
| Hot Spring | Location in Montana | Developed or Primitive |
| Alameda’s Hot Springs Retreat | Hot Springs | Developed |
| Mid Medicine Hot Springs | Hot Springs | Primitive |
| Boulder Hot Springs Inn | Boulder | Developed |
| Bozeman Hot Springs | Bozeman | Developed |
| Broadwater Hot Springs Fitness | Helena | Developed |
| Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa | Pray | Developed |
| Elkhorn Hot Springs | Polaris | Developed |
| Fairmont Hot Springs Resort | Anaconda | Developed |
| Gigantic Warm Springs | Lewistown | Primitive |
| Jackson Hot Springs | Jackson | Developed |
| K Bar L Ranch and Medicine Springs | Augusta | Developed |
| Lodge at Lolo Hot Springs | Lolo | Developed |
| Lolo Hot Springs Resort | Lolo | Developed |
| Lost Trail Hot Springs | Sula | Developed |
| Nimrod Warm Spring | Bryne | Primitive |
| Norris Hot Springs | Norris | Developed |
| Potosi Hot Springs | Pony | Developed |
| Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort | Plains | Developed |
| Renova Hot Springs | Whitehall | Primitive |
| Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs | Sato | Developed |
| Sleeping Child Hot Springs | Hamilton | Developed |
| Spa Hot Springs Motel | White Sulphur Springs | Developed |
| Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths | Hot Springs | Developed |
| Wild Horse Hot Springs | Hot Springs | Developed |
| Yellowstone Hot Springs (formerly Corwin Hot Springs) | Gardiner | Developed |
Type of Hot Springs in Montana
Natural hot springs can be decided into two main groups; primitive or developed.
They are both unique and stunning options that let you soak in the warm waters and take on their healing properties in whatever location suits your fancy.
So what exactly is the difference between the two? Let’s take a look.
Primitive Hot Springs
While the majority of Montana’s hot springs are developed, there are still some primitive gems for you to find in nature.
Primitive hot springs are a great budget travel option because most of them are located in nature and are free to use. Some can be accessed by a short walk from a parking lot, but others will require a more strenuous hike. For this reason, we recommend that you bring suitable clothing and shoes as well as plenty of water.
It is worth noting that these pools are not cleaned or maintained by anyone, so the springs may become dirty after too many uses if it is not a running pool.
Due to the hikes to reach some of the hot springs, it may be difficult for those with small children or mobility issues to reach the more remote pools.
Developed Hot Springs
Montana is world-renowned for its incredible selection of hot spring resorts.
The warm water found in developed hot springs is pumped from a natural spring but directed into manmade pools and tubs. Many resorts will have both indoor and outdoor options for soaking in the hot springs with pools of various temperatures so you can find the one that is the perfect temperature for you.
Depending on the location, the mineral water may be treated or left natural and replenished often. Many resorts choose to use a constant flow system that allows the water to be replaced regularly throughout the day. Then the pools will be cleaned during the closing times.
The beauty of hot spring resorts is that they are fitted with all the conveniences and amenities you need for a restful visit. All of them will have full locker room facilities, but other locations will also offer restaurants, saunas, and other spa treatments available.
If the developed hot spring has accommodation available, the use of the hot springs may be included in your room fee, but this will vary from place to place. If you aren’t staying on-site, most locations have a day pass available to purchase.
Montana is a mountainous and naturally beautiful state that we think you need on your to-visit list. Good luck choosing between all these amazing hot springs to visit while you’re there; that’s going to be a challenge.