Quick FactsOverview
About Camas Hot Springs
Camas Hot Springs, Montana is a historic tribal public park in the town of Hot Springs in Sanders County, on the Flathead Indian Reservation of the Consolidated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Also known as Big Medicine Hot Springs, the site features a single outdoor cement pool measuring approximately 6 by 15 feet and 3 feet deep, fed by a geothermal source at 113 degrees Fahrenheit and maintained at around 105 to 107 degrees. A $5 honor system fee is paid at a cash box on site. A changing booth and toilet are provided. Three rental cabins and an RV and tent campground are adjacent. The nearby town has several other hot springs including Symes, Alameda's, and Wild Horse Hot Springs.
The springs have been used for centuries. The Kootenai, Flathead, Pend d'Oreille, and Kalispell peoples inhabited this valley, and the Pend d'Orielles called the springs "Big Medicine." Jesuit missionary Pierre-Jean De Smet recorded their use in 1842. When the Flathead Reservation was established, Congress set aside a 160-acre reserve around the springs. Bathhouses opened in 1911 and a new tribe-built facility opened in 1949. The 1949 building closed in 1986 and the tribe restored public park access in 1991.
Camas provides the most historically rooted soaking option in town, combining tribal cultural heritage with affordable mineral water access.
Location & Access
Getting to Camas Hot Springs
Camas Hot Springs is on North Road in the town of Hot Springs, Montana, a short drive north from the main town center. Hot Springs is reached by taking Highway 28 west from its junction with Highway 93 near Elmo on the west shore of Flathead Lake. The drive from Missoula takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes covering about 75 miles via US-93 north and Highway 28 west. From Kalispell, the drive south takes approximately one hour and 30 minutes.
The town of Hot Springs sits on the Flathead Indian Reservation and has a population of around 550. Basic services including fuel are available in town. The Camas Hot Springs park is a short drive from the town center on North Road, with parking at the site. No trail or hike is required.
For those seeking hot springs near Hot Springs Montana as part of a broader visit to this valley, Wild Horse Hot Springs, Symes Hot Springs Hotel, and Alameda's Hot Springs are also in town. The nearest commercial airports are Glacier Park International Airport approximately 73 miles north, or Missoula Montana Airport approximately 71 miles south.
The site is open year-round. Highway 28 is maintained in winter, though mountain driving conditions apply. The soaking park operates on an honor system with no formal posted hours and no staff on site.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Camas Hot Springs
Camas Hot Springs suits families with children, budget travelers, and anyone seeking a simple mineral soak in a town known for its geothermal waters. The pool is shallow at 3 feet deep and the flat terrain makes it physically accessible for most visitors. No hiking or trail is required. Swimwear is required. The site has no elaborate amenities beyond a changing booth and toilet, so visitors should bring their own towels, water, and snacks.
The $5 honor system fee is cash only. No card payment is available. Cabins and RV and tent campsites are available for overnight stays, making Camas a practical stop for travelers on the Flathead Reservation corridor between Kalispell and Missoula.
For those seeking family hot springs near Hot Springs Montana in a community setting, Camas provides a relaxed, affordable soaking experience with genuine tribal cultural depth. The town's motto "Limp In, Leap Out" reflects its long-held belief in the therapeutic properties of the mineral water. Other hot springs in the same town give visitors the option to combine multiple sites.
No formal wheelchair accessibility has been documented at the site. The terrain is generally flat near the pool, but no accessibility infrastructure has been confirmed. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the town of Hot Springs in advance to confirm current conditions. Dogs are welcome in the campground area but should be kept out of the soaking pool.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Camas Hot Springs
Camas Hot Springs is generally safe as a simple public soaking site with stable water temperatures maintained at around 105 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit. This is on the warmer end of comfortable soaking range. Limit session time if you feel overheated, lightheaded, or unwell, and exit to rest before returning. Stay hydrated before, during, and after soaking. No lifeguard is on duty and no staff are present on site.
The geothermal source enters the pool at a higher temperature than the general pool water. Avoid sitting directly at the inflow point and test the water before settling in. During periods of low usage the pool can heat up; check temperature on arrival before entering.
The site operates on an honor system with no staff present. Visitors are responsible for their own safety and for following Leave No Trace principles. The changing booth is simple and the toilet is a basic facility. No emergency services are on site. The nearest medical services are in Hot Springs town center, with broader hospital services in Kalispell or Missoula, each approximately 70 to 75 miles away.
Footing around the pool edge can be slippery from condensation and mineral deposits. Move carefully around the pool perimeter in all conditions and especially in winter when steam and cold air can create icy surfaces around the pool edge. Cell service has historically been limited in Hot Springs; as of recent updates, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are available in town, but coverage may vary at the park.
