Quick FactsOverview
About Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths
Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths, Montana is a paid historic resort hotel and mineral spring facility in the town of Hot Springs in Sanders County, on the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwestern Montana. The hotel was built in 1928 by Fred Symes and has operated as a hot spring destination continuously since then, making it one of the longest-running resort hotels in the state. The property is on the National Register of Historic Places and retains its original Spanish mission-style architecture and vintage character.
The mineral pools are fed by a geothermal artesian well and include outdoor flow-through soaking pools at varying temperatures, a larger outdoor swimming pool, and a bath wing with four original clawfoot tubs in private stalls. The outdoor pools are in front of the hotel, with a small waterfall connecting the upper and lower soaking sections. A two-person jetted tub and a steam room are also available to rent by the hour. Day use of the pools is available for non-guests; hotel guests have pool access included with their stay.
The springs were known to the Native peoples of the region, who called them Big Medicine, long before the town was established. Symes remains one of the most historically significant soaking destinations among the hot springs in Montana near Missoula.
Location & Access
Getting to Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths
Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths is located in the town of Hot Springs, Montana at 209 Wall Street, reachable by any vehicle on paved roads with no hiking required. From Missoula, take US Highway 93 to Highway 200, go west on Highway 200 to Perma, then turn right on State Highway 382 to Highway 28, right on Highway 28, and left at Highway 77 into Hot Springs. The total drive from Missoula is approximately 75 miles and takes around an hour and twenty minutes under normal conditions.
The hotel sits in the small town of Hot Springs on Highway 28 between Plains and Elmo. Parking is available at the property and the pool area is reached by a short, level walk from the car park. The hotel has a restaurant and espresso bar on site. Cell coverage in Hot Springs can be variable, so downloading directions before leaving Missoula or Kalispell is a practical step. For those seeking a hot spring resort in Montana midway between Missoula and Kalispell, Symes sits on a route that passes through the Flathead Reservation and offers a useful stopping point on longer drives through the region.
Walk-ins are welcome for day use of the pools, and hotel reservations are recommended for weekend visits. The property is open year-round. In winter, Highway 200 west of Missoula and the roads into Hot Springs can be affected by snow and ice, so checking conditions before a winter trip is advisable.
Suitability & Accessibility
Who Should Visit Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths
Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths suits families, couples, solo travelers, and groups who want a full-service historic hotel experience combined with mineral soaking. Children are welcome and the property is family friendly. The combination of outdoor communal pools, private indoor clawfoot tubs, a restaurant, spa services, and live music on weekends makes it well suited to visitors who want more than just a soaking stop and prefer a multi-element stay.
Day visitors can use the outdoor pools by paying a day-use fee without booking a room. Hotel guests have pool access included. The range of accommodation includes hotel rooms in the historic building, cabins, apartments, and RV and tent camping sites, so the property suits a variety of budgets and travel styles. Some cabins accept pets for a fee, though pets are not permitted in the pool areas. The private indoor clawfoot tubs in the Bath Wing are available for rental by the hour and suit those who prefer a quieter, more personal soaking experience away from the outdoor communal pools.
Wheelchair accessibility at Symes is partial and not fully confirmed. The historic building has some ground-level rooms with accessible features, and one mineral pool is reported to have a ramp entry, but not all areas are accessible. Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the hotel before booking to confirm which facilities are available. For those seeking a hot spring resort in Montana with historic character, Symes is one of the more distinctive properties in the northwest.
Safety & Etiquette
Safety and Etiquette at Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths
Symes Hot Springs Hotel and Mineral Baths is generally safe for soaking, with mineral water drawn from a geothermal artesian source. The outdoor pools vary in temperature and visitors should test the water before entering, moving between pools gradually. Taking regular breaks, staying hydrated, and exiting the pool if you feel lightheaded or overheated are the standard precautions that apply at any mineral hot spring.
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times in and around all pool areas. The outdoor pools are open to all guests and day visitors simultaneously, so active supervision of younger children in a shared soaking environment is particularly important. Swimsuits are required in all public pool areas without exception. In the private indoor clawfoot tubs in the Bath Wing, clothing is optional.
The mineral water at Symes has a naturally occurring mild sulfur odor that is characteristic of the geothermal source and is not a safety concern. Glass containers are not permitted in the pool areas. Showering before entering the outdoor pools helps maintain water quality for other bathers. The pool deck can become slippery when wet, so wearing footwear with grip when moving between the changing areas and the pools reduces slip risk.
The outdoor pools are uncovered, so sun protection is advisable during summer daytime visits. If using the steam room or jetted tub by the hour, pace the session with water breaks to avoid overheating. Visitors with cardiovascular conditions, pregnancy, or other health concerns should consult a doctor before soaking in geothermally heated mineral water.
