# Boulder Hot Springs, Montana

Boulder Hot Springs in Montana. 169°F (76°C). Short Walk. Jefferson County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/boulder-hot-springs
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Boulder Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 169°F, hot enough to burn skin. It's a short walk from the road.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 169°F (76°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.8 (Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 4,880 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Jefferson County |
| Nearest town | Boulder |
| Coordinates | 46.19800, -112.09400 |
| Best months to soak | December, February, January (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | SHEEPSHEAD PICNIC AREA, 18.0 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 169°F, the source water at Boulder Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Boulder Hot Springs

Water at Boulder Hot Springs arrives scalding, hot enough to blister skin, a few miles outside the town of Boulder in Jefferson County. Sitting in it straight from the source is out of the question until it cools. Ownership of the ground and the rules for using it are both missing. A 1976 USGS sample came back alkaline, carrying iron along with calcium, magnesium, sodium and sulfate.

The spring sits a tenth of a mile from the nearest road, a short walk, at valley elevation close to town. Winters bring a moderate snowpack and the year is middling for rain. Being this close to Boulder, it is an easy drive, assuming access is allowed.

Do not touch the source. At this temperature the water scalds in seconds. Any soaking would need cooled water, and nothing on file says if that exists. Winter is the listed season, and the snow is manageable. Sheepshead Picnic Area is the closest camp, around eighteen miles out. Access is not recorded, so confirm before visiting.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1976-04-27 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8.8 |
| Calcium | 2.3 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 0.1 mg/L |
| Sodium | 120 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 74 mg/L |
| Chloride | 18 mg/L |
| Iron | 20 µg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Townsend](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/montana/townsend), 27 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Montana](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana)
- [Alhambra Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/alhambra-hot-springs): 138°F source, TDS 651 mg/L, Roadside, near Clancy, Jefferson County
- [Pipestone Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/pipestone-hot-springs): 135°F source, pH 8.1, Roadside, near Whitehall, Jefferson County
- [Bedford Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/bedford-hot-springs): 74°F source, pH 8.2, Roadside, near Townsend, Broadwater County
- [Broadwater (Helena) Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/broadwater-helena-hot-springs): 151°F source, pH 8.3, Roadside, near Helena West Side, Lewis and Clark County
- [Renova Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/renova-hot-springs): 122°F source, pH 7.5, Roadside, near Whitehall, Jefferson County
- [Warm Springs (State Hospital), MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/warm-springs-state-hospital): 172°F source, pH 7.0, Roadside, near Warm Springs, Deer Lodge County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Boulder Hot Springs?**
Boulder Hot Springs has a water temperature of 169°F (76°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Boulder Hot Springs located?**
Boulder Hot Springs is located in Jefferson County, Montana at 4,880 feet elevation, near Boulder. Coordinates: 46.1980°N, 112.0940°W.

**How do I get to Boulder Hot Springs?**
Boulder Hot Springs has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Boulder Hot Springs?**
Yes, Sheepshead Picnic Area is located nearby (18.0 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Boulder Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.8 (alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Boulder Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Boulder Hot Springs reaches 169°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals