While Montana is famed for Yellowstone Park, the hot springs closest to Bozeman, are equally as impressive. The state has a handful of geothermal pools that are top quality and incredible places to stop for a soak.
Don’t miss an opportunity to get a healthy dose of relaxation in these mineral-infused waters, many of which have a backdrop of that famed “Wild Montana Sky” and mountain vistas.
Here are the nearest hot springs to Bozeman in order of proximity.
Bozeman Hot Springs – 8 miles | 15 minutes
Visitors have been coming to Bozeman Hot Springs for over 100 years to unwind and replenish themselves. What was once just a modest pool only used by a select few in the late 1800s has grown into a popular spot for locals and visitors looking for a distinctive Montana adventure.
Located just eight miles west of the town of Bozeman, this resort is the perfect stop on the way to or back from Yellowstone Park. These springs are also advantageously close to the Big Sky Resort and Gallatin International Airport.
Bozeman Hot Springs has 12 fabulous outdoor and indoor pools with temperatures ranging from 57 to 106℉. The hottest and coldest ones are located next to each other indoors, making it a breeze to switch back and forth. All the pools are fed with naturally heated mineral water constantly flowing through the pipes, making it unnecessary to use chlorine, although they’re drained each night completely.
Reservations to visit the pools are not required other than renting out the venue for parties or events.
In addition to the pools, guests can pay a little extra to use the property’s full fitness center, complete with a workout room, class schedules, and wet and dry saunas. Memberships are available for those staying nearby for an extended amount of time or living in the area. The Bozeman Campground is right next door and has cabins, tent sites, RV sites, and several amenities for overnight travelers.
Norris Hot Springs – 36 miles | 45 minutes
Norris Hot Springs is a recreational retreat less than an hour away from Bozeman and a great place to rejuvenate from the stress of daily life. Fed a series of natural artisan springs, the property’s featured pool holds 38,000 gallons of fresh mineral water and runs about 100℉ in the summer and 106℉ in the winter.
Not only do guests come to soak, but Norris’ on-site restaurant creates delicious meals from locally sourced ingredients in a pleasant outdoor environment. Live music events also happen at the springs, making this an exciting place to spend an evening.
The pool is open to the public from Thursdays through Sundays. Mondays and Wednesdays are reserved for private events and parties, and Tuesdays are closed for maintenance. Visitors who want to spend the night can stay at one of the 13 seasonal camping sites open from May 1st through September 30th. Nine of the spots have full hook-ups, while the last four have no hook-ups.
Chico Hot Springs – 48 miles | 55 minutes
Chico Hot Springs, which opened in 1900, is regarded as one of Montana’s top vacation destinations. Located in the heart of Paradise Valley, it’s an ideal location for families, weddings, fly fishing trips, romantic retreats, or even as a home base for outdoor adventures.
The resort is surrounded by stunning mountain vistas and is just a short distance from Yellowstone River. The drive to Yellowstone National Park from Chico is a cinch and a scenic, enjoyable cruise through the countryside.
There are two open-air swimming pools on the property, both of which are naturally heated, chemical-free, and boast incredible views of the Absaroka Mountains. The pools are open from 7 am to 10 pm, making for great spots to star gaze or watch a sunrise.
Temperatures in the larger pool average 96℉, and the smaller one hover around 103℉, but cooler water is added during the summer to make swimmers more comfortable. Clothing is required to use these pools, and a locker room with showers is in the swimming area.
While outside food isn’t allowed into the facility, there are a few on-site eateries to grab a bite to eat or drink. Visitors that want to stay overnight have many choices at this historic property, with options including their main lodge, fisherman’s lodge, warren wing, cowboy camp, lower lodge, and individual cabins.
Yellowstone Hot Springs – 70 mi | 1 hr 15 min
Known as Montana’s newest hot spring and located just a few miles from Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Hot Springs is the place to go after a full day of walking and exploring. This springs resort also boasts some of the best Big Sky Country views from their three pools of varying temperatures. These mineral waters are some of the finest out there and very comparable to the highly coveted ones discovered in Europe.
The main pool regulates a temperature of 102℉ and is cozy for swimming. There’s also a cold plunge pool that stays in a range of 60-65℉ and a hot plunge that’s a sizzling 104℉. The water is continuously cleaned thanks to a flowing current of mineral water that comes from its underground source straight into the pools.
Visitors who want to stay overnight can book a retreat at one of the property’s cabin rentals or RV parking spaces. Guests can enjoy having easy access to the soaking pools and breathtaking mountain scenery while sleeping under the stars.
Broadwater Hot Springs – 102 mi | 1 hr 50 min
Located in Helena, the historic Broadwater Hot Springs spa offers a fantastic selection of pools to relax in. There are five year-round pools with temperatures ranging from 82.99℉ to 103.2℉, one of which is 30,000 square feet and was once known as the “world’s largest indoor pool” several years ago.
Additionally, the venue has co-ed steam rooms and saunas so that friends and family can enjoy a relaxing time together. Fitness enthusiasts can also get a workout in at the property’s full gym before hitting the pool area.
In 2017, Broadwater Hot Springs expanded its amenities by adding The Springs Taproom & Grill to its list of amenities, offering guests a fun dining experience and an on-site watering hole. Visitors can enjoy their drinks and snacks indoors or bring their food and beverage outside to have poolside. The venue is suited to host events and parties with rental spaces available, but frequent guests can also take advantage of the membership program.
A trip to Bozeman wouldn’t be complete without an authentic Montana hot springs experience (and maybe one of its nearby ski resorts). These places are memorable on their own, but complimenting them with a trip to Yellowstone National Park would be the ultimate “Treasure State” vacation.
Discover the rest of Montana’s natural hot springs for your soaking pleasure.
Elkhorn Hot Springs – Polaris, Montana