Quick FactsOverview
About Big Medicine Hot Springs
Big Medicine Hot Springs, Montana, also known locally as Camas Hot Springs, is a primitive soaking pool located on North Road in the town of Hot Springs, a small community on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Sanders County in western Montana. The spring consists of a single partially covered cement pool measuring approximately 6 feet wide by 15 feet long by 3 feet deep, fed directly from a geothermal source that reaches the surface at 124 degrees Fahrenheit. The water temperature inside the pool runs from approximately 107 degrees Fahrenheit near the source inlet to 105 degrees Fahrenheit at the far end. A smaller secondary tub, roughly hot-tub sized at around 2 feet deep, is also on site. No chemicals are used in either pool, and the water circulates directly from the natural spring.
The site is intentionally simple. Facilities consist of a changing booth, a toilet, and a picnic table. There are no showers, no formal changing rooms, and no commercial services of any kind. Visitors bring their own towels and swimwear. Entry operates on a five-dollar cash honor system using a payment box at the gate; bring exact change as there is no attendant. On-site RV and tent camping is available, along with a small number of basic cabins, making it possible to stay overnight within walking distance of the pool. The springs are open from 9am to sundown year-round.
Big Medicine Hot Springs sits in a town that has multiple soaking options within a short distance, including Alameda's Hot Springs, Symes Hot Springs Hotel, and Wild Horse Hot Springs, all in the same community. This concentration of natural hot springs in the town of Hot Springs reflects the geothermal activity that runs through this part of the Flathead Valley. For visitors interested in natural hot springs in Montana without the infrastructure of a resort, Big Medicine is one of the most accessible and low-cost options in the region, requiring nothing more than a short drive and five dollars in cash.
Location & Access
Getting to Big Medicine Hot Springs
Big Medicine Hot Springs is located on North Road in the town of Hot Springs, Montana, approximately 75 miles northwest of Missoula. From Missoula, take MT-200 West to State Highway 382 in Sanders County, then follow Highway 382 north to the town of Hot Springs. Look for the spring on North Road on the north side of town; signs for the springs and for the on-site camping are visible from the road. The spring sits within the town limits and is easy to find once you arrive. Parking is available directly adjacent to the pool.
The drive from Missoula takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes under normal road conditions. From Polson, the drive is approximately 47 minutes. From Plains, the nearest larger town to the east, the drive is approximately 27 minutes. All roads leading into the town of Hot Springs are paved and suitable for any standard vehicle. No high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicle is required. The spring is accessible year-round, though winter driving conditions in this part of Montana should be accounted for before travelling in snow.
Hot Springs, Montana sits within the boundaries of the Flathead Indian Reservation, managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). Non-tribal members recreating on reservation land are required to purchase a CSKT tribal recreation permit before visiting. This applies to Big Medicine Hot Springs and to any outdoor recreation on reservation land in the area. Permits are available through the CSKT website and through local vendors in the region. Visitors who arrive without a valid permit may be asked to leave. The five-dollar site entry fee paid at the spring is separate from and does not replace the tribal recreation permit. For visitors making the trip from Missoula, it is practical to purchase the permit in advance or to ask about local vendors on the way. The requirement applies to all non-members regardless of the purpose of the visit.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Big Medicine Hot Springs
Big Medicine Hot Springs suits visitors who are comfortable with a simple, unmanaged outdoor setting and who do not require formal amenities beyond a changing booth and a toilet. The site is not a resort and is not staffed; the experience is quiet, self-directed, and rooted in the local tradition of affordable community mineral bathing. Families with children are welcome, and the smaller secondary tub at approximately 2 feet deep is suited to younger visitors who prefer shallower water. Children should be kept away from the source inlet where water enters the pool at very high temperatures.
Wheelchair access is not possible at this site. The spring is a primitive outdoor facility on natural ground with no paved surfaces, no accessible changing rooms, and no formal access infrastructure of any kind. Visitors who require paved or assisted access should consider a developed facility. The pool entry is at ground level but involves stepping over a low concrete lip into the pool without handrails.
Because the pool is small, fitting approximately six people comfortably, the site works best for small groups or solo visitors. Crowding is uncommon compared to more well-known hot springs near Missoula, though summer weekends can see more visitors. Early mornings on weekdays tend to offer the quietest experience. The setting is rural and quiet, with open landscape views typical of this part of western Montana. Swimwear is required at all times; this is a shared community resource near a residential area and clothing-optional bathing is not permitted. For visitors looking for family hot springs near Missoula that do not require a long hike or a resort ticket, Big Medicine is one of the few accessible paid options in the region.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Big Medicine Hot Springs
Big Medicine Hot Springs requires attention to water temperature before entering. The source water arrives at 124 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well above safe bathing temperature, and the pool runs between 105 and 107 degrees Fahrenheit near the source inlet. These temperatures are on the high end of the safe soaking range and can cause overheating or discomfort during extended immersion. New visitors should test the water carefully before getting in, limit initial soaks to shorter sessions of 15 to 20 minutes, and exit the pool to cool down and drink water between rounds. The pool temperature may vary with season, flow rate, and ambient air temperature, so the water should be tested each visit rather than assumed from prior experience.
The source inlet area near the pipe or channel where water enters the pool is the hottest zone and should be avoided, particularly by children. Do not place hands or feet directly at the source point. The unmedicated water is natural spring water with no chemical treatment, which means water quality depends entirely on the behaviour of visitors. Do not enter the pool with open wounds, active skin infections, or any condition that could affect others. Do not use soaps, shampoos, or any products in the pool. Pack out all rubbish; there are no rubbish bins at the site. Leave the area as you found it.
The site operates on an honor system. Pay five dollars in cash at the payment box at the gate before soaking. Bring exact change as there is no attendant and no change is available. Open hours are 9am to sundown and these should be respected; do not arrive after closing time or attempt to soak after dark. Noise levels should be kept low, as the site is within the town of Hot Springs near residential properties. No diving or splashing is permitted; the pool is shallow and the bottom is concrete. Dogs are not documented as permitted in the pool; leave animals in the vehicle or check in advance. Remember that all non-tribal visitors to this area of the Flathead Indian Reservation are required to hold a current CSKT recreation permit, which is a separate requirement from the five-dollar site entry fee.
