Quick FactsOverview
About Camp Aqua Hot Springs
Camp Aqua Hot Springs, Montana, currently operating as Wild Horse Hot Springs, is a rustic geothermal resort at 175 Camp Aqua Rd, approximately 7 miles northwest of the town of Hot Springs in Sanders County, western Montana. The site is powered by the Mother Dragon artesian geyser, discovered in 1911, which delivers 1,200 gallons per minute of water at 125 to 128 degrees Fahrenheit and feeds six outdoor communal soaking plunges with chemical-free mineral water. The property sits along the Little Bitterroot River with open meadow and mountain views.
The name Camp Aqua comes from a 1941 polio treatment center built on this site. The facility became Wild Horse Hot Springs in the early 1990s when it shifted to private operation. The six plunges are outdoor concrete pools, continuously fed and drained without chemical treatment, running approximately 95 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Each pool has a valve to add hotter water, and a two-hour limit applies when busy. Overnight accommodation in cabins, tepees, RV sites, and tent camping is available. Hot springs near Missoula at roughly 80 miles from the city in a genuine open-range setting are rare, and this property provides that experience.
Location & Access
Getting to Camp Aqua Hot Springs
Camp Aqua Hot Springs is at 175 Camp Aqua Rd, Hot Springs, MT 59845, approximately 7 miles northwest of the town of Hot Springs. From Missoula, drive west on I-90, then MT-200 west, then Highway 382 north through the town of Hot Springs, then northwest on Camp Aqua Road. The drive takes roughly an hour and a half. From the town of Hot Springs, follow signs for Wild Horse Hot Springs or Camp Aqua Road. Any standard vehicle can manage the rural roads, though care is needed in winter or wet conditions.
There is no public transit to the property. Download directions before leaving any larger city as cell service is limited in this area. Hot springs near Missoula at this distance are best combined with an overnight stay on the property or in the town of Hot Springs. Parking is available on site and the walk to the soaking plunges is short. A liability waiver must be signed before entering the soaking area.
The soaking facility is open daily, 10 AM to 10 PM, with extended hours to 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. No reservation is required for day-use soaking. Overnight cabin and tepee stays are first-come first-served. Check wildhorsehotsprings.com for current pricing and any seasonal notices before making the drive.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Is Camp Aqua Hot Springs Suitable For?
Camp Aqua Hot Springs is most suitable for visitors who want a rustic, off-grid soaking experience in an open Montana landscape and are comfortable with communal pools and basic facilities. The six outdoor plunges are shared spaces and a two-hour limit applies when busy. Those looking for private tubs or a polished spa environment will find the more developed facilities in the town of Hot Springs more appropriate. For visitors drawn to a historic setting and a genuine rural character, this is one of the most distinctive geothermal destinations in western Montana.
Families are welcome and children's rates apply for ages 6 to 12, with under-5 free when potty trained. All children must be supervised; there is no lifeguard on duty. Pool temperatures of 95 to 104 degrees mean children's soak time should be kept short. For family hot springs near Missoula that combine camping with soaking, the property offers a combination few other sites in the region can match.
Wheelchair access is limited with no documented accessible pathways or pool entry ramps. Contact the property at 406-741-3777 before visiting if accessibility is a requirement. Overnight guests in cabins and tepees receive unlimited soaking for two people, making an overnight stay the most practical approach when visiting from a distance.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Camp Aqua Hot Springs
Camp Aqua Hot Springs is generally safe to visit, with the standard precautions that apply to any open geothermal soaking facility. Pool water runs from approximately 95 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit, and each pool has a hot valve to increase temperature; do not open the hot valve and remain in the pool simultaneously, as temperatures can rise quickly. Test the water on entry, move toward a cooler area of the pool if needed, and take regular breaks rather than soaking continuously. Exit the water immediately if you feel dizzy, faint, or unusually warm. Visitors with cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, or heat-sensitivity should seek personal medical advice before soaking.
A liability waiver is required before entering the soaking area; this must be signed on each visit. No lifeguard is on duty. Swimsuits are required in the soaking area. The pools are outdoor concrete plunges on a wooden deck area; surfaces around the pools are wet and can be slippery, so wear grip sandals and move carefully. There are no railings on all pool edges; use the entry steps deliberately and keep children away from unguarded edges.
No pets are permitted in the soaking area under any circumstances. The property has resident dogs that are territorial; keep your own pets inside your vehicle if you bring them. Glass containers are not permitted near the pools. The facility asks guests to observe a two-hour soak limit when busy; respect this and rotate out if the plunges are at capacity. The property is a rustic off-grid site, so come prepared: bring your own towels, water, and food, as there are no permanent on-site food services. Cell service is limited; in an emergency, inform property staff immediately.
