Anaconda Hot Springs
Anaconda Hot Springs emerges at a reported 72°F in Deer Lodge County, Montana, at 5,760 feet elevation. A recent USGS reading of just 7.8°C (46°F) contradicts the historical record, raising questions about whether the same vent was measured or whether flow conditions have changed. Access requires a short 133-foot walk from the nearest road.
The spring sits in high-elevation terrain near the town of Anaconda, at the base of the Anaconda Range where the Continental Divide arcs through southwestern Montana. Lodgepole pine and subalpine fir dominate the surrounding slopes, with Warm Springs Creek and its tributaries draining the nearby valley. Annual snowfall averages 84 inches and air temperatures mean just 40°F, producing a long, cold winter season and a brief summer growing window.
Visit in summer or early fall when roads are clear of snow. The short walk from the road is straightforward but unmarked. High Rye Cabin, a reservable 1919 CCC-built cabin in the German Gulch mining district, sits about 14 km away. At nearly 5,800 feet, nighttime temperatures drop sharply even in July and August. Bring warm layers and expect limited cell service.
Anaconda takes its name from the nearby smelter city founded in the 1880s by Marcus Daly to process copper ore from the Butte mines. The springs likely saw incidental use by miners and ranchers but lack documented commercial development. The discrepancy between historical and modern temperature readings remains unexplained in available records.
The water at Anaconda Hot Springs contains 361 mg/L total dissolved solids.
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Overview High Rye Cabin is a quaint place to stay, ideally situated for exploring the northern Fleecer Mountains. An abundance of recreational activities are available in this scenic area. The cabin was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps around 1919 and is located in the historic mining district of German Gulch. It was used as an administrative site until the 1940s, when it was opened to the public. The cabin can be accessed by vehicle; however, during the fall, alternative resourc...
Anaconda Hot Springs sits at 5,760 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 23% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Anaconda Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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