Surrounded by the natural beauty of Glacier National Park and the Flathead National Forest, Kalispell is a popular destination for basing an exploration of northern Montana’s many outdoor attractions. And there is no better way to unwind from the region’s arduous adventures than by soaking in one of the many nearby hot springs.
Whether seeking the full-service comforts of a luxurious hot spring resort or the simple bliss of a primitive thermal pool surrounded by nature, visitors can find unparalleled soothing tranquillity at these six hot springs near Kalispell, MT. (Distance from Kalispell in brackets).
6 Great Hot Springs Near Kalispell, Montana
1. Wild Horse Hot Springs (62.8 Miles)
Fed by the Mother Dragon Geyser, the Wild Horse Hot Springs is the closest hot springs near Kalispell, located only an hour’s drive south of the city. Nestled within the picturesque countryside of Sanders County, the Wild Horse Hot Spring promises a therapeutic soaking experience of quiet tranquility, complete with several onsite amenities.
An extensive hot spring resort, the Wild Horse Hot Springs boasts 14 man-made mineral pools, ranging in temperature from 95 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The pool’s artesian spring source pumps 1,200 gallons per minute, providing a clean and refreshing soaking experience throughout the day.
Since the pools feature a natural flow, the mineral waters do not need to be maintained by added chemicals, and all minerals in the pools are entirely natural. The Wild Horse Hot Springs offers two-hour soaking passes, which grant visitors unlimited access to the soaking pools, the property’s three dressing rooms, and a small sauna.
However, the resort also features onsite accommodation options for visitors seeking an extended visit to the hot springs. Boasting eight rustic cabins, two tipis, and several tent and RV campsites, all overnight guests receive two unlimited soaking passes valid throughout the reservation.
2. Big Medicine Hot Springs (64.5 Miles)
A primitive hot spring near Kalispell, MT, the Big Medicine Hot Springs is located about an hour’s drive south of the city in the small community of Hot Springs. Offering free admission, the Big Medicine Hot Springs provides convenient access to the region’s mineral waters and are popular amongst visitors seeking a traditional soaking experience.
The Big Medicine Hot Springs features a singular cement thermal pool, about 6 x 15 feet, and features depths of 3 ft. While the water temperature varies throughout the year, the pool typically averages 101 and 105 degrees, providing a comfortable soaking experience. The Big Medicine Hot Spring is a clothing-optional facility.
As a primitive hot spring complex, the Big Medicine Hot Springs features no additional onsite amenities. However, the facility’s convenient location makes it a fantastic day trip destination from Kalispell while also remaining within accessible distances of the many services and accommodation options of the Hot Springs community should visitors opt to stay in the area.
3. Alameda’s Hot Springs Retreat (64.5 Miles)
First opened in 1930, Alameda’s Hot Springs Retreat has provided visitors to Sanders County with a soothing immersion into the region’s mineral-rich waters for nearly a century while providing one of the premier accommodation options in town.
While Alameda’s Hot Springs maintain much of the historical charms enjoyed by its earliest patrons, the complex has been updated to include modern amenities. The hotel features 23 private rooms in its lodge, each boasting its own mineral soaking tub.
While resort guests can enjoy unlimited private access to the site’s mineral waters in their rooms, the property also features four outdoor hot spring tubs available for public use. These outdoor soaking options provide a soothing soak in a tranquil setting that highlights some of the most breathtaking views of the nearby Cabinet Mountains.
The Alameda’s Hot Springs pools are filled with natural spring water from two sources. The hot spring averages between 110 to 120 degrees, which is made more bearable by a nearby cold spring. Soakers control the flow of both springs into each of the complex’s thermal pools, allowing for temperature control and a personalized soaking experience.
4. Symes Hot Springs Hotel & Mineral Baths (64.5 Miles)
The final thermal pool complex operating out of the community of Hot Springs near Kalispell, the Symes Hot Springs Hotel & Mineral Baths offers another soothing escape from the region’s more arduous attractions.
Like Alameda’s Hot Springs, the Symes Hot Springs Hotel opened in the 1930s and offered modern visitors a soaking experience combining its historical authenticity with modern comforts and amenities.
Featuring three mineral pools on its property, the Symes Hot Springs offers various soaking experiences, starting with its flow-thru pool. This large outdoor facility features two pools, an upper pool maintained at 107 degrees Fahrenheit., which is fed via a waterfall into a lower pool that is maintained at a more comfortable 101 degrees.
The resort also features a mineral spring-filled swimming pool that provides a more traditional swimming experience and boasts slightly cooler temperatures averaging 95 degrees throughout the year.
The resort complex also boasts several accommodation options, an onsite restaurant and espresso bar, and an extensive spa facility for added convenience.
5. Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort (91.7 Miles)
Located slightly further from Kalispell, Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort is about an hour and a half drive from the city but is well worth the extended journey to reach as it offers one of the most extensive full-service hot springs resorts in the state.
Offering a soothing respite for unwinding after a long journey, Quinn’s Hot Springs features several soaking options ranging from 100 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit. The property also features a cold plunge pool averaging around 55 degrees that offer a refreshing reset.
While the thermal pools are open to day visitors, the best way to enjoy Quinn’s Hot Springs is by booking one of the resort’s accommodation options, which include two large lodges and 25 private cabins.
Additionally, service features within the property’s complexes include an onsite restaurant and event venue, making the resort a perfect option for visitors traveling with a group.
6. Nimrod Hot Springs (151 Miles)
Averaging 70 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year, the Nimrod Hot Springs are technically only considered a warm spring. Still, the natural spring is one of the most pristine primitive swimming holes in the state and offers one of the best-preserved natural hot springs near Kalispell.
Despite requiring a nearly three-hour drive to reach the city, a visit to Nimrod Hot Springs is one of the best ways visitors to the area can combine an exploration of the state’s breathtaking landscapes with the soothing bliss of the region’s renowned therapeutic waters.
From the parking lot, visitors to the spring must first follow a short half a mile trail to reach the thermal pool. Luckily, the Nimrod Hot Springs doesn’t disappoint, and visitors are rewarded with picturesque views of crystal clear, blue-hued spring waters fed from a waterfall cascading down the cliffsides.
The Nimrod Hot Springs is one of the most blissful hot springs near Kalispell and offers visitors a total immersion into Montana’s wondrous countryside.
