Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort: The Complete Montana Soaking Guide 2026
Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort sits 25 miles west of Lolo, Montana, on U.S. Highway 12, inside Lolo National Forest. The resort has one indoor mineral pool and one outdoor mineral pool, both fed by natural geothermal springs that surface at temperatures up to 117°F.
Day passes, deluxe and dry cabins, and RV camping are all available on-site year-round. This guide from CATravelTimes covers pool prices, directions, water temperatures, packing tips, and everything needed to plan a full visit to Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort.
What Is Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort? Quick Details
Lolo Hot Springs has served as a bathing site for Indigenous peoples for centuries. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark documented the springs in 1805, and Fred Lembke built the first commercial resort here in 1885.
Today the resort sits on 125 acres at 38500 U.S. Highway 12, Lolo, MT 59847. Adult day passes cost $16, the indoor pool runs 103–106°F, and the resort holds a 4.0-star Google rating from over 1,100 reviews. The directions below make it easy to find.
How to Find Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort? Directions & Map
From Missoula, take U.S. Highway 93 South for 10 miles to the town of Lolo. Turn right (west) onto U.S. Highway 12 and continue 25 miles. The resort sits on both sides of the highway, about 37 miles southwest of Missoula and 7 miles east of the Idaho border, at approximately 46.7244° N, -114.5312° W.
The road is paved the entire way, though cell service becomes spotty about halfway through the drive. Parking is free and clearly marked near the pool building. Photos of the grounds help visitors picture the layout before arrival.
Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort Photos – Scenic Views
Steam rises off the outdoor pool against a backdrop of pine-covered mountains, especially striking on cold mornings. The indoor pool room shows exposed log beams and mineral-streaked rock walls. Sunset light on Lolo Creek, just behind the RV park, also makes for a good shot.
The pools photograph best in early morning or at dusk, before or after the daytime crowds settle in.
Everything You Need to Know About Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
Is Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort Free to Visit?
No, Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort charges a day pass fee. Adult day passes cost $16, seniors (65+) and military pay $14, children ages 5–12 pay $13, and children under 5 soak free. Day passes are sold first-come, first-served, with no reservation required.
What Is the Phone Number for Lolo Hot Springs Resort?
Lolo Hot Springs Resort uses separate phone lines for each department. Call 406-273-2290 for the hot springs and day passes, 406-273-2294 for the RV park, and 406-273-2297 for the Bear Cave Bar & Restaurant. All three numbers connect directly to on-site staff.
Does Lolo Hot Springs Resort Have an RV Park?
Yes, Lolo Hot Springs Resort operates a recreational vehicle (RV) park across the highway from the pools. RV sites accommodate rigs from 25 to 45 feet, with a central waste dump station near the shower building. Monthly RV sites are available from October through April, and seniors and military receive 20% off nightly rates.
Does Lolo Hot Springs Resort Have Cabins?
Yes, the resort offers deluxe cabins and dry cabins. Deluxe cabins include a queen bed, a pull-out queen trundle, a private bathroom with a shower, and a small kitchen with a sink, microwave, and refrigerator. Dry cabins include a futon bed, a microwave, and a small refrigerator, with shared bathhouse facilities nearby.
Is There a Restaurant at Lolo Hot Springs Resort?
Yes, the Bear Cave Bar & Restaurant sits next to the pools and serves food and drinks Friday through Sunday, from 9 a.m. to midnight. The menu focuses on comfort food, including steaks, burgers, and bar snacks, and the bar features live entertainment on weekends.
Where Is Lolo Hot Springs Resort Located in Montana?
Lolo Hot Springs Resort sits in western Montana’s Missoula County, inside Lolo National Forest along Lolo Creek. The resort is 37 miles southwest of Missoula and 25 miles west of the town of Lolo, at an elevation of roughly 4,160 feet along the Lewis and Clark Trail corridor on U.S. Highway 12.
Is Lolo Hot Springs Resort the Same as the Lodge (Hotel) Next Door?
No, Lolo Hot Springs Resort and The Lodge at Lolo Hot Springs are two separate businesses. The resort includes the RV park, hot springs pools, the Bear Cave Bar & Restaurant, and the folf course. The Lodge, a hotel property next door, offers its own hotel rooms and a separate indoor soaking pool.
Is There a Campground Map for Lolo Hot Springs Resort?
Yes, the resort publishes a grounds layout map showing RV sites, tent sites, cabin rows, and the shower and bathroom building, available on the Resort’s official stay page. Guests booking through Campspot can view site numbers before choosing a spot.
What’s the Water Temperature & Best Time to Visit Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort?
Geothermal water surfaces at 105–117°F before it’s piped into the two pools. The indoor pool holds steady around 103–106°F year-round, while the outdoor pool shifts with the season, running cooler in winter and warmer in summer. Weekdays bring smaller crowds in every season.
Packing the right gear matters as much as timing the visit.
Things to Do at Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
Most visitors split their day between soaking, exploring the surrounding national forest, and stopping at nearby historic sites. The list below mixes on-site activities with nearby attractions worth adding to the trip.
Soak in the Outdoor Mineral Pool
The larger outdoor pool sits beside the bar and restaurant building, with mountain views on all sides. Entry is included in the $16 adult day pass. The pool draws families and groups looking for open space to relax together.
Soak in the Indoor Mineral Pool
The indoor pool stays around 103–106°F year-round and suits visitors who want a quieter, enclosed soak. Children under 5 are not permitted inside due to state regulation. Entry is included with the standard day pass.
Play the Free Folf Course
Lolo Hot Springs Resort has an 18-hole frisbee golf (folf) course open at no charge to guests. Discs can be purchased at the on-site gift shop or bar. The course winds through forested terrain near the campground.
Book a Horseback Trail Ride
Guided horseback rides through Lolo National Forest depart from the resort grounds seasonally. Rides range from short outings to full-day packages with meals included. Reservations are recommended, especially during summer weekends.
Eat at the Bear Cave Bar & Restaurant
Located next to the pools, this on-site restaurant serves steaks, burgers, and bar food Friday through Sunday. Reviewers regularly single out the prime rib and weekend live music. It’s the resort’s only dining option outside a self-packed picnic.
Visit Lolo Pass Visitor Center
The log-cabin visitor center sits about 7 miles west near the Montana-Idaho border, marking the spot Lewis and Clark crossed the Continental Divide. Entry is free, and the center includes Lewis and Clark Trail exhibits and winter trailhead access.
Snowmobile the Groomed Forest Trails
Roughly 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails radiate from the resort through Lolo National Forest. Single and double-rider sled rentals are available on-site, including a helmet and gas, from December through March.
Hike Forest Service Trails Near the Resort
Multiple trailheads sit within a short drive of the resort, ranging from creekside walks along Lolo Creek to longer climbs toward the Bitterroot Mountains. Trails are unmarked with formal ratings but are popular with day hikers and campers staying on-site. Full trip planning is easier with a Complete guide to Montana’s natural hot springs on hand before setting out.
Choosing where to sleep and eat nearby rounds out the trip planning.
Where to Stay & Eat Near Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
Visitors who want more privacy than a shared cabin, or who arrive without a reservation at the resort itself, have a small number of nearby options to choose from.
Hotels Near Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
The Lodge at Lolo Hot Springs
This hotel sits directly next door to the resort, offering King and Double Queen rooms with a dining table, mini fridge, microwave, and in-room coffee maker. Rooms run roughly $115–$266 a night depending on size and season, and the property holds a 4.0-star Google rating from over 450 reviews. The Lodge includes its own separate indoor soaking pool.
Holiday Inn Express Missoula
Located about 37 miles east near Missoula’s airport, this hotel offers free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and standard modern rooms. It works well as a base for travelers who want city amenities before or after visiting the hot springs. Rates vary by season and are generally mid-range for the Missoula market.
Restaurants Near Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
Bear Cave Bar & Restaurant
Located on the resort grounds next to the pools, this restaurant serves American comfort food, including steaks, burgers, and bar snacks, Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to midnight. Portions run generous for the price, and the bar hosts live music on weekend nights.
Boulder Room Restaurant & Bar
Located next to The Lodge at Lolo Hot Springs, this restaurant serves American dinner fare and is a common stop for guests staying at either property. Reviewers describe it as a solid option for a hot meal after a day of soaking or snowmobiling nearby.
What Are People Saying About Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort?
Google reviewers give Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort a 4.0-star rating across more than 1,100 reviews. Families, couples, and solo travelers frequently praise the friendly staff, the relaxing indoor pool, and the live weekend music at the bar. Some guests note the cabins and shower facilities feel rustic and could use updates, and a few mention slow Wi-Fi and limited cell service on-site.
Final Thoughts on Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort suits travelers who want a simple, no-frills soak paired with camping, snowmobiling, or a scenic drive along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Visitors expecting a polished spa experience should look elsewhere, since the resort leans rustic by design.
One detail worth remembering: the on-site restaurant only operates Friday through Sunday, so pack food for weekday visits. For a straightforward Montana hot springs trip near Missoula, this remains a solid, historic choice.
FAQs About Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort
Q. How much does it cost to visit Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort?
Adult day passes cost $16, seniors and military pay $14, and children ages 5–12 pay $13. Children under 5 soak free.
Q. Do I need a reservation to soak at Lolo Hot Springs Resort?
No, day passes are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. No advance booking is required for soaking.
Q. Does staying at the RV park include free hot springs access?
No, RV and tent camping does not include free pool access. Only deluxe cabin guests receive two free hot springs day passes per stay.
Q. Is Lolo Hot Springs Resort pet-friendly?
Pets are allowed in cabins with a limit of two per cabin and a $25 pet fee. Leash rules apply throughout the property.
Q. Is clothing optional at Lolo Hot Springs Resort?
Clothing-optional soaking is offered from 9 p.m. to midnight on select nights for guests 18 and older only. Standard swimwear is required at all other times.
Q. What do Lolo Hot Springs Pools Resort reviews say overall?
The resort holds a 4.0-star Google rating from over 1,100 reviews, with praise for the staff and pools alongside some complaints about aging facilities and Wi-Fi.
Q. Are children allowed in both pools?
Children of all ages are allowed in the outdoor pool, but children under 5 cannot enter the indoor pool due to state regulation.
