Quick FactsOverview
About Medicine Hot Springs
Medicine Hot Springs, Montana is a historic hot springs estate on 119 acres near Conner in Ravalli County, approximately 85 miles south of Missoula in the southern Bitterroot Valley. The property holds senior geothermal water rights dating to 1908. A 2,046-square-foot outdoor pool, a hot tub, and historic soaking tubs inside a restored bathhouse are fed by chemical-free springs flowing at 94 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm Springs Creek runs through the property. The estate is bordered on three sides by US Forest Service land at an elevation of approximately 4,429 feet.
The site was first claimed by Ed Miles in 1883, with a hotel built by 1885. By the early 1900s the springs were actively used as a medicinal bathing destination and remained popular with Bitterroot Valley residents for generations. The estate includes 12 cabins, a 3,797-square-foot main residence, and the East Game Lodge communal gathering space.
The property sold at no-reserve auction on March 10, 2026, and public access under new ownership is not yet confirmed. For those researching hot springs near Hamilton Montana, Medicine Hot Springs is one of the region's most historically significant geothermal properties - but visitors must verify current access before any visit.
Location & Access
Getting to Medicine Hot Springs
Medicine Hot Springs is reached from the Bitterroot Valley via US Highway 93. The turn onto Medicine Springs Road is south of Darby and north of the Montana-Idaho border, in the Conner area of southern Ravalli County. The property is on Medicine Springs Road off US-93, in a rural forest-edge setting at the southern end of the Bitterroot Valley. Any standard vehicle can reach the site on the paved highway from either direction.
From Missoula, take US-93 south for approximately 85 miles through Hamilton, Darby, and Conner. From the south, the site is accessible from the Lost Trail Pass area on US-93. Hamilton, the Ravalli County seat approximately 60 miles north, is the nearest city with full commercial services, fuel, and lodging. Darby, approximately 10 to 15 miles north, has fuel and basic services. The Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area is approximately 30 minutes south of the property.
Because the property sold at auction in March 2026 and public access has not been confirmed under new ownership, visitors should not make the drive without first verifying that the property is open. For those seeking hot springs near Hamilton Montana in the southern Bitterroot Valley, current access terms, hours, and whether any public use is offered should be confirmed directly before travel. Check for updated information through local tourism resources in Ravalli County or through any website or contact information the new owner establishes.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Can Visit Medicine Hot Springs
Medicine Hot Springs is suited to visitors seeking a developed hot springs experience in a historic rural estate setting in the southern Bitterroot Valley - but only once public access is confirmed under current ownership. When operating, the property historically offered access to a large outdoor mineral pool, a hot tub, and bathhouse soaking tubs in a forested 119-acre setting bordered by national forest. Swimwear is required for all pool and soaking areas.
The estate is close to fly fishing on the Bitterroot River, hiking in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, and Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area approximately 30 minutes south, making it well-suited for multi-day outdoor trips. The 12 cabins and main residence historically accommodated overnight guests, though whether overnight stays will be offered under new ownership is currently unknown.
For those planning a southern Bitterroot Valley trip and researching natural hot springs montana in Ravalli County, Medicine Hot Springs is one of the region's most historically documented geothermal sites. No wheelchair accessibility is formally documented. The rural forest-edge setting at 4,429 feet means visitors should be prepared for variable weather and limited nearby services.
As of March 2026, the property has changed hands and the current operational status is unknown. Confirm all access, pricing, and hours through current channels before making the drive from Hamilton or Missoula.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety at Medicine Hot Springs
Medicine Hot Springs is generally safe as a developed property with a managed pool and bathhouse when open, but its current operational status is unconfirmed following an ownership change in March 2026. Do not visit the property without prior confirmation that public access is available. Arriving unannounced at a recently sold private estate risks trespassing.
The springs flow at 94 to 114 degrees Fahrenheit. This range includes temperatures that can cause scalding near the source inflow. Never enter pool water at the inflow point without verifying it has cooled adequately. Enter gradually and exit if you feel overheated, lightheaded, or fatigued. The chemical-free natural spring water does not use disinfectants, so water quality depends entirely on source conditions and pool management by the operator.
The estate is bordered by Bitterroot National Forest, which is bear country. Stay on established paths, follow wildlife awareness practices, and avoid tall grass and rocky areas where rattlesnakes may be present during warm months.
The rural location near Conner has limited cell service. The nearest hospital is in Hamilton, approximately 60 miles north on US-93. Darby, approximately 10 to 15 miles north, has basic emergency services. Carry a first aid kit when visiting remote parts of the Bitterroot Valley. Once public access is established under the new owner, confirm any specific pool rules, hours, and health requirements before entering any pool or soaking area.
