Quick FactsOverview
About Lolo Hot Springs
Lolo Hot Springs, Montana is a full-service hot springs resort at 38500 US Highway 12 West in Missoula County, located approximately 37 miles west of Missoula in the Lolo National Forest at an elevation of 4,160 feet. The resort sits along Lolo Creek on 125 acres of private land within the national forest and features both an indoor mineral pool and a larger outdoor mineral pool fed by natural geothermal sources. The resort is open year-round and accessible from the paved highway in all seasons.
Lolo Hot Springs was a known stopping and bathing site for Indigenous peoples long before European settlement. Members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through and used the springs in October 1805, making this one of the documented Lewis and Clark Trail hot springs in Montana. By the late 1800s a formal resort had developed at the springs. The current resort has operated continuously as a destination for outdoor visitors in all seasons, positioned at the center of one of western Montana's most active snowmobile and ATV trail networks.
For those seeking family hot springs near Missoula Montana on the Lewis and Clark Trail corridor, Lolo Hot Springs is the closest developed resort to Missoula, combining geothermal soaking with year-round lodging, dining, and recreation in the Bitterroot Mountain foothills.
Location & Access
Getting to Lolo Hot Springs
Lolo Hot Springs is at 38500 US Highway 12 West, approximately 37 miles west of Missoula. From Missoula, take Highway 93 south approximately 10 miles to Lolo, then turn right (west) onto Highway 12 and continue 25 to 27 miles. The resort is signed on the highway. Any standard vehicle can reach the property on the paved highway year-round. The drive from Missoula takes approximately 40 to 50 minutes.
Highway 12 west of Lolo follows Lolo Creek and the Lewis and Clark Trail toward Lolo Pass and into Idaho. In winter, the highway is maintained but can include ice and snow. The resort sits at 4,160 feet elevation, above most of the valley floor, and can see significant snowfall in winter. The resort is approximately 40 miles from Missoula International Airport by car.
For those seeking family hot springs near Missoula Montana within easy day-trip distance, Lolo Hot Springs is the closest full-service resort on the US-12 corridor. Continuing west on the same highway leads to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs and Weir Creek Hot Springs in Idaho.
The resort is open year-round. Pool hours vary by season and day of the week. Confirm current hours at lolohotsprings.com or by calling (877) 541-5117 before making the drive. Reservations for lodging are recommended, particularly for weekends and snowmobile season.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Lolo Hot Springs
Lolo Hot Springs suits families with children, outdoor recreation travelers, snowmobile enthusiasts, and visitors seeking a year-round resort experience in the Lolo National Forest. Children are welcome throughout the resort. Swimwear is required in all pool areas. The resort is not clothing optional. The outdoor pool offers more space for swimming; the indoor pool provides a warmer protected setting.
The resort is particularly well suited for winter visitors, sitting at the hub of approximately 500 miles of groomed snowmobile trails with rentals available on site. The snowmobile season runs mid-December through March. Summer visitors can fish in Lolo Creek, hike national forest trails, and explore the Lewis and Clark Trail corridor. The bar has live entertainment on select nights and gaming, making it a social destination for the local community as well as resort guests.
For those seeking family hot springs near Missoula Montana with overnight amenities, Lolo Hot Springs offers cabins, RV hookups, tent sites, a restaurant, and a bar in one location, suited for multi-night stays. A free frisbee golf course is on the grounds. The resort sits on land within the Lolo National Forest, giving guests immediate access to vast public lands.
No formal wheelchair accessibility is documented at the resort. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the resort at (877) 541-5117 before visiting to discuss current pool access and facility conditions.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Lolo Hot Springs
Lolo Hot Springs is generally safe as a staffed resort with managed mineral pools open year-round. The indoor pool maintains warmer temperatures generally suited for soaking; the outdoor pool temperature can vary significantly depending on the season and current operating conditions. Verify pool temperatures on arrival before entering, as natural hot spring outputs can fluctuate and pool temperature can vary from published ranges. Exit any pool immediately if you feel overheated, lightheaded, or unwell.
No lifeguard is on duty at the pools. Parents and guardians are responsible for supervising children in and around both pools at all times. The outdoor pool is larger and deeper in sections; children and non-swimmers should stay in shallower areas and be kept within arm's reach of a supervising adult at all times near the water.
The resort is at 4,160 feet elevation on Highway 12 in the Lolo National Forest. In winter, highway conditions between Missoula and the resort can include ice and snow. Check road conditions before departing and use appropriate tires for winter travel. The snowmobile trail network is extensive; use only sanctioned trails, wear appropriate safety gear, and follow all posted regulations. Do not operate snowmobiles on cross-country ski trails, which are separate from the snowmobile network in this area.
Pool hours vary by season and day of the week. Confirm current operating hours at lolohotsprings.com or by calling (877) 541-5117 before making the drive. Amenities can vary during shoulder seasons. No cell service was noted in some visitor accounts in the Lolo Creek canyon; download directions and resort contact information before departing Missoula. Nearest emergency services are in Missoula, approximately 37 miles east.
