Traveling through Montana begs for a stop at the hot springs near Helena. There are many ways to enjoy the great outdoors in the Big Sky State, so why not cap off the day with a soak to mellow out from it all?
There are endless places to hike and bike in the summer, and snowmobiling and skiing opportunities are all over the area in the winter. However, the state’s mystical healing waters are always in season and ready to help you decompress.
Helena has one hot spring right in town, which is excellent for those staying there. Other people traveling through this region may want to extend their exploration to discover many other of Montana’s unique hot springs. Here are the closest geothermal pools to Helena in order of proximity.
Broadwater Hot Springs – 4 mi | 8 min
The historic Broadwater Hot Springs spa in Helena has a superb range of pools to relax in. The facility features coed steam rooms and saunas where friends and family may relax together. Fitness aficionados may also work out in the property’s fully equipped gym before heading to the pool area, which comprises five pools.
Temperatures of the pools range from 82.99°F to 103.2°F, one of which is 30,000 square feet and was once described as the “world’s largest indoor pool.”
The Springs Taproom & Grill offers guests a delightful on-site eating and drinking spot. Visitors have drinks and snacks inside or bring their food and beverages outside to the poolside for even more convenience. The location is well-suited to hold gatherings and parties, with rental spaces available, but frequent visitors may also benefit from the membership program.
Boulder Hot Springs – 33 mi 40 min
Situated on 300 acres of untouched forests, meadows, and wetlands, Boulder Hot Springs is a retreat backed by the Deerlodge National Forest. This century-old property has been inviting guests for years to come and experience some relaxation in a place that highlights fresh air and luxury in one setting.
Like many other resort-style respites, Boulder Hot Springs features area attractions, workshops, on-site activities, hiking opportunities, and their famous naturally heated swimming pool and plunges.
The outdoor coed geothermal mineral pool is kept at a comfy 96-100℉ and has a heated walkway to the water, which is excellent in the colder months. This pool is handicap-accessible, requires proper swimming attire, and is cleaned daily with no harsh chemicals.
Men and women have their own continuous flow hot plunges indoors that are maintained at 103-106 and cleaned almost daily. Alternatively, visitors can use the steam saunas fueled by natural steam from hot spring water.
Renova Hot Springs – 74 mi | 1 hr 30 min
The primitive Renova Hot Springs is located in a tiny tributary of the Jefferson River southeast of Whitehall, Montana. These steamy mineral pools are made of rock formation dams built above the springs to keep chilly river water from overburdening and diluting the hot water wells.
This region has a high degree of hot spring activity and is close to Yellowstone Park’s well-known warm springs and geysers. There is no cost to soak in these natural baths, and many locals consider these waters to be clothing optional.
The water temperature varies depending on the season but is usually in the range of 104-122℉. Summer and early fall are the best times to visit. The water is easily accessible from the small dirt parking lot and the southeast corner of the Potosi Creek Campground, which is an excellent place to spend the night nearby.
Spa Hot Springs Motel – 76 mi | 1 hr 25 min
Located in White Sulpher Springs, this unassuming motel is home to three healing hot spring pools. Visitors can come and soak for the day for a fee or stay in one of the 41 rooms or nine cabins and use the water free of charge. This is a great spot to crash when visiting the Yellowstone area, but there are plenty of other things to do nearby, like seasonal skiing, hiking, hunting, fishing, exploring the Smith River Canyon, and more.
The pools are open every day from 7 am to 10 pm and are infused with high levels of magnesium, lithium, and sulfur, which add to their pristine quality. The outdoor pools are kept at 98℉ and 103℉, while the indoor 10 x 15-foot plunge is maintained at 105℉.
Many visitors to these geothermal pools have likened them to the top-rated ones in Germany, as they are infused with lots of healing properties and have been known to help many skin and joint conditions. No chemicals are used in the waters, but they are drained and refilled often.
Fairmont Hot Springs – 83 mi | 1 hr 20 min
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is a year-round resort with various activities, making it an ideal all-in-one destination for exploring Montana. There are four hot spring pools on the estate and golf and tennis. On-site dining and snacking options include four restaurants and several snack vendors. The Conference and Banquet Facilities of the Fairmont are ideal for any group, family reunion, wedding, or corporate conference.
Fairmont’s mineral springs are well-known across the Northwest and only open to resort guests. There are two Olympic-sized swimming pools and two mineral soaking pools, one indoors and one outside. Temperatures range from 88-104℉ throughout all the pools, which are cooled down from a source of 135℉. The 350-foot indoor waterslide on the site is available all year, and Massage Studio offers a full range of spa services and products.
Norris Hot Springs – 90 mi | 1 hr 30 min
Norris Hot Springs is a leisure resort about 90 minutes from Helena and has many developed features that are prime for relaxing. The venue often hosts live music events, making it a lively spot to spend an evening with company.
The property’s centerpiece pool holds 38,000 gallons of pure mineral water and runs at 100°F in the summer and 106°F in the winter. Not only do visitors come to soak, but Norris’ on-site restaurant serves terrific meals made from locally sourced food in a pleasant outdoor setting.
Visitors who choose to sleep at the resort can do so at one of the 13 seasonal camping areas available from May 1st to September 30th. Nine spaces have full hookups, while the remaining four do not. Thursdays through Sundays, the pool is open to the public. Tuesdays are closed for maintenance, while Mondays and Wednesdays are designated for private events and celebrations.
Potosi Hot Springs – 92 mi 1 hr 45 min
Set in the town of Pony, Potosi Hot Springs is said to have some of the purest waters on Earth. There are two areas to these springs, one called “Upper Potosi Hot Springs,” which is on public land, and “Potosi Hot Springs,” on private land and features cabin rentals and a developed steamy mineral pool.
Upper Potosi Hot Springs has a basic rock-walled pool that’s free to use, clothing-optional, and is easily accessible from a trail connected to a nearby parking lot. The water temperature ranges from 90-99℉, and many visitors appreciate how this gravel tub has very few frills and lots of pretty scenery. The Potosi Campground shares the parking lot with the trail and is the perfect place to pitch a tent or RV for a couple of days near the springs.
The Potosi Hot Springs location has four animal-themed cabins in a rural forest setting. The price for using the property’s 102℉ mineral swimming pool is included in the reservation, but non-overnight stayers can rent it from Wednesdays through Saturdays. The rest of the facility provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation activities like hiking, biking, fishing, and more.
Bozeman Hot Springs – 96 mi | 1 hr 40 min
Visitors have come to Bozeman Hot Springs for more than a century to relax and rejuvenate. What was originally a tiny pool utilized by a select few in the late 1800s has developed into a popular destination for residents and visitors searching for a unique Montana vacation.
Aside from the pools, visitors may pay a small fee to utilize the property’s comprehensive fitness facility, which includes a gym room, class schedules, and both wet and dry saunas. Memberships are offered for frequent visitors or long-term residents.
There are 12 naturally-fed mineral spring pools on the property in both indoor and outdoor locations. No reservations are required to use them unless you want to rent out part of the venue for an event.
The hottest and coldest ones are near each other, making it a snap to jump between them. Water temperatures range from 57-106℉ and continuously flow, replacing themselves, ensuring that the pools are immaculate without having to intervene with any chemicals.
The Bozeman Campground is just next door and offers cabins, tent sites, RV sites, and various facilities to overnight visitors.
Yellowstone Hot Springs – 168 mi | 2 hr 50 min
Yellowstone Hot Springs is situated very close to the north entry of Yellowstone Park, making this spring’s destination attractive for park visitors. After a long day of sightseeing and trekking through boardwalks for geyser viewing, visit here to rejuvenate and soothe your muscles. Many travelers enjoy the incredible wild Montana views from this property that are so easy to take in while soaking in their magical waters.
There are three pools at Yellowstone Hot Springs. A flowing trickle regularly cleanses the water of mineral water that streams directly from its subsurface source into the pools. The main pool is heated to 102°F and is ideal for swimming. There’s also a chilly plunge pool that remains between 60 and 65℉ and a hot plunge pool that hits 104℉.
Visitors who choose to remain overnight may do so at one of the property’s cottage rentals or RV parking sites. While sleeping beneath the stars, campers may enjoy access to the hot springs and stunning mountain surroundings.
Elkhorn Hot Springs – 172 mi | 2 hr 45 min
Elkhorn Hot Springs is a modest, family-owned resort set in the magnificent Pioneer Mountains 40 miles south of Dillon, Montana. Their hot springs pools were developed in 1918, followed by the resort three years later in 1921.
The cottages were constructed in the 1920s and 1930s and have remained mostly unchanged since their opening, except for adding electricity. Their rustic setting allows our guests to see Montana as it was in the early 20th century.
The resort’s crown gem is its hot springs and two pools, heated entirely naturally by geothermal energy from inside the earth’s core. The temperature of the outdoor pools stays between 92 to 102℉, and the indoor sauna gets up to 104-106℉.
Since these are hot flow-through waters, chemical treatments are not required for daily usage and cleanliness. Not using harsh substances allows the integrity of the pool to stay the same and is much healthier for the skin.
Sightseers that want to spend the night can book a room at the main lodge or one of the property cabins. The property is so remote that there is no cell service, but the hotel provides complimentary Wi-Fi that supports Wi-Fi calling. Many other amenities are present, too, like an on-site restaurant, places to lounge by a fireplace, and lots of fresh mountain air.
Adventuring through Montana always makes for an extraordinary journey, but a trip from Helena to any one of these hot springs would be icing on the cake.
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