# Ennis Hot Springs, Montana

Ennis Hot Springs in Montana. 181°F (83°C). Roadside. Madison County.

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

## Can you soak at Ennis Hot Springs?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 181°F, hot enough to burn skin. You can drive right up to it.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 181°F (83°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 7.7 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Elevation | 4,907 ft |
| Access | Roadside, 105 ft from the nearest road (Snipe Lane) |
| County | Madison County |
| Nearest town | Virginia City |
| Coordinates | 45.36700, -111.72600 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Axolotl Cabin, 11.2 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 181°F, the source water at Ennis 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 Ennis Hot Springs

Ennis Hot Springs in Madison County, Montana, eleven miles from Virginia City, is a scalding source. The water emerges far above the temperature that burns skin, closer to a kettle than a bath. Nobody has recorded an owner or an access status. The USGS analysis, from 1976, shows near-neutral, mineralized water.

Snipe Lane is the nearest road, about a hundred feet off. The Madison valley sits at moderate elevation with close to six feet of snow between fall and spring and modest rainfall. Axolotl Cabin is the camping on file, about as far off as Virginia City. No land unit is listed, so whose ground this is remains an open question.

This heat scalds on the instant, so stay out of the source entirely. To soak you would need the water cooled a long way down, and nothing on record suggests that happens. Who owns it and who can go there are both unknown. Cold months are the ones flagged as best. The chemistry numbers are half a century old.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1976-04-01 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 7.7 |
| Calcium | 50 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 20 mg/L |
| Sodium | 25 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 34 mg/L |
| Chloride | 19 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Virginia City](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/montana/virginia-city), 47 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Montana](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana)
- [Norris Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/norris-hot-springs): 127°F source, pH 7.8, Roadside, near Three Forks, Gallatin County
- [Potosi Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/potosi-hot-springs): 122°F source, pH 8.3, Roadside, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Potosi Warm Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/potosi-warm-springs): 124°F source, pH 8.3, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Trudau Warm Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/trudau-warm-springs): 73°F source, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Puller Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/puller-hot-springs): 111°F source, pH 7.3, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Vigilante Spring, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/vigilante-spring): 75°F source, Roadside, near Virginia City, Madison County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Ennis Hot Springs?**
Ennis Hot Springs has a water temperature of 181°F (83°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Ennis Hot Springs located?**
Ennis Hot Springs is located in Madison County, Montana at 4,907 feet elevation, near Virginia City. Coordinates: 45.3670°N, 111.7260°W.

**How do I get to Ennis Hot Springs?**
Ennis Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Snipe Lane (105 ft from the road).

**Can I camp near Ennis Hot Springs?**
Yes, Axolotl Cabin is located nearby (11.2 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Ennis Hot Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 7.7 (slightly alkaline).

**Is it safe to soak at Ennis Hot Springs?**
No, not at the source. The water at Ennis Hot Springs reaches 181°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