Powered by the geyser known as Mother Dragon, Wild Horse Hot Springs in Hot Springs, Montana, offers you a ton of variety (14 pools of various size and temperature) and is worth a visit for those looking for an authentic, if not fancy, hot springs experience. I do have to mention that their website appears to have gone offline recently but they are still open.
It was discovered accidentally by Molly Bartlett who homesteaded the land. She was the daughter of the state’s second governor, Robert S. Smith.
Water in the area was scarce, so Molly began drilling a well. But when she did, surprise, surprise – the geyser erupted, shooting out waters at 128 degrees Fahrenheit at 1,200 gallons per minute!
Now the springs have been tapped for leisure use by overnight and day visitors to enjoy and soothe in 14 different soaking tubs of various sizes.
Wild Horse Hot Spring Facilities
Wild Horse Hot Springs Resort welcomes guests with 14 soaking pools of varying sizes where you can rest, relax, and melt away your stress. The overall vibe here is a rustic, woodsy, natural spot where camping in RV, tents, cabins, and teepee-style tents are all a part of happy rest and living.
The cabins range in size from built for two to family size, with included pool visits for two guests for each stay. The cabins provide guests with mini-fridges, air conditioning, space heaters, patios, closets, shared kitchenettes (in some cases), picnic tables, and microwaves in some cases.
The tipis have tarp floors and lining for weather resistance, a fire ring (outside only), and space for up to six guests per each. Soaking pool visits for two guests per stay.
The hot spring pools and facilities are open year-round – and clothing is optional here in the private pools. Lodging is available in the form of dry campsites for tents and cars, RVs without electric hookups, and RV electric sites.
You’ll also find eight dry cabins and three teepee-style tents pre-set. Shared bathroom facilities provide guests with showers, sinks, and other necessities during their stay.
Wild Horse Hot Springs Resort offers massage by appointment and Izumi’s Sushi and BBQ meals from Thursday to Sunday evenings.
The hot springs themselves contain many life-giving minerals for your relaxing, soothing soaks, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese, silica, bicarbonate, iron, potassium, carbonate, sulfate, and many others. Check out their website for a full run-down.
Pets are welcome at the Wild Horse Hot Springs, though they must be on a leash and in restricted areas only.
Wild Horse Hot Spring Stats
Wild Horse Hot Springs Resort offers a variety of soaking pools, cabins, and teepee-style tents, along with car and tent campsites and RV spots for guests.
- Size: 14 pools of various sizes
- Depth: Varying depths
- Average Temperature: Between 95 and 98 degrees or 125 to 128 degrees
- Season: Year-round
- Cabins range in price from $80 for two to $130 for families per night
- Tipis (teepees) are $60 per night for up to 6 people
- Tent and car campsites run $30 per night
- RV dry campsites (no hookups) are $40 per night
- RV campsites with electric hookups are $50 per night
- Hot spring pool soaks are free for overnight guests
- Adult day visitors may soak in the pools for $12 each
- Children’s day visitors ages 6 to 12 may soak in pools for $8
- Children under 6 soak for free
- Sauna use is included for overnight guests
- Sauna visits for day visitors are $10 per half-hour
- Sauna and soak passes for the day are $17
- Birthday and military discounts are available (proof required)
- You may purchase 10 visit cards for $80 for adults
- Locals receive a discount of $10 for soaking in pools (proof required)
- Website: https://wildhorsehotsprings.com/
- Nearest Town: Hot Springs, MT
Getting to Wild Horse Hot Springs
Wild Horse Hot Springs is closest to the smaller town of Hot Springs, Montana, but it’s easily accessible from Missoula and Coeur d’Alene Idaho in less than three hours.
From Missoula, about 1.5 hours away, take I-90 W for about 9 miles until you reach Exit 96 for MT-200 W/US-93 N/U.S. Hwy 93 N toward Kalispell. Follow for 27 miles until you come to MT-200 W. Turn left onto MT-200 W and go for 41 miles until you reach State Hwy 382.
Turn right onto State Hwy 382 and follow for 4 miles until you come to Kopp Rd. Follow Kopp for 2 miles, then turn left onto Camp Aqua Rd and follow for half a mile before making a right turn.
Go another half mile and you’ll be there at Wild Horse Hot Springs.
From Coeur d’Alene, about 2.5 hours away, take I-90 E for 93 miles until you reach Exit 33 for MT-135 toward St Regis. Follow MT-135 W for 21 miles, then turn left onto MT-200 W.
Follow the highway for 8 miles until you reach Mount Hwy 28 E, where you’ll turn right. Drive for 20 miles, then turn right onto Kopp Rd.
Follow that road for 2 miles, then turn left onto Camp Aqua Rd and follow for about a half mile before making a right turn (the turn should be obvious). Go another half mile and you’re there.
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