Big Medicine Hot Springs, Montana: Complete Visitor Guide 2026
Big Medicine Hot Springs sits on North Rd (E N Rd) in the small town of Hot Springs, Montana, inside the Flathead Indian Reservation in Sanders County. Also known as Camas Hot Springs, the site offers a single, partially covered cement soaking pool with mineral-rich water ranging from 100°F to 107°F, fed by a natural geothermal source.
Surrounded by open prairie and quiet countryside, it draws visitors looking for a simple, low-key soak away from crowded resorts. For more travel guides and destination profiles, visit the CATRAVELTIMES home page. Admission is $5 cash, paid through an honor-system box at the gate.
What Is Big Medicine Hot Springs? Quick Details
Big Medicine Hot Spring, also called Camas Hot Springs, has been used for generations by the Kootenai, Salish (Flathead), Pend d’Oreille, and Kalispel peoples as a traditional bathing and healing site. The town of Hot Springs, Montana grew up around the spring in the early 1900s, when settlers built simple bathhouses over the natural geothermal water.
Today the site holds one partially covered cement pool measuring 6 feet by 15 feet, with source water arriving at 124°F and pool temperatures settling between 100°F and 107°F. Entry costs $5 per person. Google reviewers rate the spring 4.6 out of 5. The next section covers how to reach the pool by car.
Big Medicine Hot Springs: Directions & Map
Big Medicine Hot Spring is located at 112 E N Rd, Hot Springs, MT 59845, near GPS coordinates 47.607°N, 114.663°W. From Missoula, drivers take MT-200 W to State Hwy 382 in Sanders County, then continue on Hwy 382 to E N Rd (North Rd).
The full drive covers about 75 miles and takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. From Kalispell, the route runs south on US-93 through Polson, covering about 65 miles in 1 hour 15 minutes. A gravel lot sits beside the pool, and space is tight on busy weekends. The next section shows what visitors can expect to see on-site.
Big Medicine Hot Springs Photos – Scenic Views
The pool sits under a partial roof with open views of the Camas Prairie and the low hills surrounding Hot Springs, Montana. Morning light and steam rising off the water make for the clearest shots, and the honor-system payment box adds local character to wide shots.
The layout and rules of the site matter as much as the view, and the next section covers both in detail.
Everything You Need to Know About Big Medicine Hot Springs
What Are the Hours at Big Medicine Hot Spring?
Big Medicine Hot Spring operates day-use only, from approximately 9:00 AM to sundown, 7 days a week, year-round. There are no nighttime hours. Hours can shift slightly by season, so calling the site at (406) 741-5140 before an early spring or late fall visit is worthwhile.
Can You Camp at Big Medicine Hot Spring?
Yes. The property allows tent camping, RV camping, and horse corral use on-site. A picnic table is available near the pool area. Reservations for camping spots go through the same contact number as the springs, (406) 741-5140, and cash payment is standard for both entry and camping fees.
Are Cabins Available Near Big Medicine Hot Spring?
Cabin and tepee rentals are available on the property itself, in addition to nearby lodging in the town of Hot Springs. Rates are inexpensive compared to resort-style hot springs in the region. Calling ahead confirms current availability, since inventory is limited during peak summer weekends.
Is Big Medicine Hot Springs the Same as Camas Hot Springs?
Yes. Big Medicine Hot Spring and Camas Hot Springs refer to the same geothermal site on the Flathead Indian Reservation. Camas Hot Springs is the historical and geological name used on maps and by the U.S. Geological Survey, while Big Medicine Hot Spring is the name most commonly used by the current operator and visitors today.
What Other Hot Springs Are Near Hot Springs, Montana?
The town of Hot Springs is home to several developed options, including Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Alameda’s Hot Springs, both within walking distance of downtown. Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort and Wild Horse Hot Springs sit farther north along the Clark Fork River, and travelers planning a wider soaking trip can compare more destinations in this guide to Hot springs in California for a West Coast counterpart.
What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Big Medicine Hot Spring?
Water at Big Medicine Hot Spring emerges from the ground at 124°F and cools to between 100°F and 107°F inside the pool, with the warmer end nearest the source inlet. The pool stays open and usable in every season, though visitor experience changes with the weather.
Visitors who want a quieter soak should plan around the table above. The next section covers what to pack for the trip.
Things to Do at Big Medicine Hot Springs
Most visitors come to soak, but the surrounding area of Hot Springs, Montana offers a handful of other stops worth combining with the trip.
Soak at the Main Pool
The single cement pool at 112 E N Rd holds a 4.6 rating from Google reviewers. Entry costs $5 cash through the honor-system box, and the water stays between 100°F and 107°F year-round.
Visit Symes Hot Springs Hotel
Located in downtown Hot Springs, Symes offers an outdoor soaking pool and historic bathhouse rooms. It gives visitors a developed alternative to Big Medicine’s primitive setup, with milder pool temperatures suited to families.
Explore Alameda’s Hot Springs
A short walk from downtown, Alameda’s Hot Springs provides another developed soaking option with private tub rentals, a useful backup when the Big Medicine pool is crowded on weekends.
Drive to Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
Set along the Clark Fork River north of town, Quinn’s combines riverside soaking pools with an on-site restaurant, making it a good half-day addition for visitors staying overnight in the area.
Walk the Camas Prairie
The open prairie surrounding Hot Springs offers flat, easy walking with views toward the Flathead Indian Reservation’s low hills, a quiet option for visitors who want fresh air before or after soaking.
Eat at Louie’s Place
A local, casual restaurant in downtown Hot Springs, Louie’s Place serves classic American fare and works well as a stop before or after a soak, learn more on Hot springs in Los Angeles for comparison with a bigger-city hot springs scene.
Stop by Fergie’s Pub
A neighborhood pub in Hot Springs, Fergie’s serves pub food and drinks in a relaxed, small-town setting, a straightforward option for dinner after an afternoon at the springs.
Photograph the Camas Prairie Sunset
Open sky and low terrain around Hot Springs make sunset views easy to catch without a hike, with the best vantage points found along North Rd near the springs themselves.
Combining the pool with one or two of these stops fills a full day. The next section covers where to stay and eat nearby in more detail.
Where to Stay & Eat Near Big Medicine Hot Springs
Choosing a base close to the springs cuts down on driving after a soak. The options below sit in or near the town of Hot Springs, Montana.
Hotels Near Big Medicine Hot Springs
- Dew Duck Inn — A small, locally run inn in the town of Hot Springs, a short drive from the springs, with simple rooms suited to travelers who want a no-frills overnight stay.
- Alameda’s Hot Springs — Lodging combined with private soaking tubs on-site, within walking distance of downtown Hot Springs, popular with visitors who want lodging and soaking in one stop.
- Big Arm Resort — Located near Flathead Lake, roughly a half-hour drive from Hot Springs, offering cabin and RV-style stays for visitors combining lake time with a springs visit.
- Sophia Springs – Lodging and RV Park — An RV park and lodging option near Hot Springs, a practical choice for travelers arriving with a camper or trailer.
- Kwataqnuk Resort & Casino — A larger resort property on Flathead Lake in Polson, about an hour from Hot Springs, suited to travelers who want full resort amenities during their trip.
Restaurants Near Big Medicine Hot Springs
- Louie’s Place — A casual local restaurant in downtown Hot Springs serving American comfort food, a straightforward option after a soak.
- The Restaurant at Lake Mary Ronan — Located near Lake Mary Ronan, a scenic drive from Hot Springs, serving a sit-down menu with lake views.
- Fergie’s Pub — A neighborhood pub in Hot Springs serving classic pub fare and drinks in a relaxed setting.
- AJS Creekside Inn — A local restaurant near Hot Springs known for a casual, family-friendly menu.
- Second Home Restaurant — A local dining spot in the Hot Springs area offering home-style meals in a low-key setting.
What Are People Saying About Big Medicine Hot Springs?
Google reviewers give Big Medicine Hot Springs a 4.6 out of 5 rating overall. Visitors regularly praise the hot water temperature, the peaceful setting, and the affordable honor-system entry fee. Solo travelers and couples mention the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere, while families note the on-site camping and cabin rentals as a draw for longer stays.
Final Thoughts on Big Medicine Hot Springs
Big Medicine Hot Springs works best for travelers who want a simple, low-cost soak without resort crowds or amenities. Anyone expecting a polished spa experience should look instead to Symes Hot Springs Hotel or Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort nearby.
One practical detail worth remembering: bring cash, since the $5 entry fee and camping charges run on an honor system with no card payment option. For a quiet Montana soak on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Big Medicine Hot Springs delivers exactly what it promises.
FAQs About Big Medicine Hot Spring
Q. How much does it cost to visit Big Medicine Hot Spring?
Entry costs $5 per person, paid in cash through an honor-system box at the gate. Camping and cabin rentals carry separate fees.
Q. Is Big Medicine Hot Spring open all year?
Yes. The pool operates day-use only, year-round, from about 9:00 AM to sundown daily.
Q. Are there facilities on-site at Big Medicine Hot Spring?
A changing booth and a toilet are available. Amenities beyond that are minimal, so visitors should bring their own towels and supplies.
Q. Can you camp overnight at Big Medicine Hot Spring?
Yes. Tent camping, RV camping, and horse corral use are all available on the property, along with cabin and tepee rentals.
Q. Is clothing-optional bathing allowed at Big Medicine Hot Springs?
No. Swimwear is required at all times, since the pool sits in a shared, semi-residential area.
Q. How far is Big Medicine Hot Springs from Missoula?
The drive covers about 75 miles and takes roughly 1 hour 20 minutes via MT-200 W and State Hwy 382.
Q. Is Big Medicine Hot Springs crowded?
Crowding is uncommon compared to larger resort-style springs in the region, though summer weekends draw more visitors than weekday mornings.
