Hunters Hot Springs
Hunters Hot Springs discharges at 140°F in Sweet Grass County, Montana, at 4,386 feet elevation. The water is strongly alkaline at pH 8.6 with low mineralization — just 85 mg/L sodium, 19 mg/L sulfate, and 1 mg/L calcium. Access requires a short walk of 116 meters from Convict Grade Road. The spring runs 96.8°F above the local ambient air temperature.
The spring emerges in the foothills north of the Absaroka Range, in the broad Yellowstone River valley near the town of Big Timber. Rolling grasslands and scattered cottonwood groves characterize the landscape at this moderate elevation. The Crazy Mountains rise to the northwest, and the Absarokas form a high wall to the south. Annual precipitation is 22 inches with about 71 inches of snow. The Yellowstone River, one of the longest undammed rivers in the lower 48, flows through the valley a few miles to the south.
Hunters Hot Springs was a well-known resort destination in the late 1800s and early 1900s, drawing visitors by rail to a grand hotel built near the thermal outflow. The resort burned and was rebuilt multiple times before closing permanently. The springs were named for early settlers or hunters in the Yellowstone Valley. Today the site is largely undeveloped, and the thermal features remain visible. Specific current access arrangements should be verified locally.
Summer and early fall are the most pleasant seasons, though the valley location keeps roads passable year-round. The 140°F source temperature is dangerously hot — do not enter the source pool. Any soaking depends on finding a downstream mixing point. West Boulder Cabin, a Forest Service rental 23.6 km away in the Absarokas, is reservable for overnight stays. Big Timber provides all services including fuel, food, and lodging.
Is Hunters Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Hunters Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6).
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Overview West Boulder Cabin is open year-round, offering a variety of recreational opportunities as well as relaxation. Guests can drive to the cabin in warmer weather but should be prepared to snowshoe, ski or snowmobile up to a mile on county roads in the winter.The cabin has electric lights and an electric cook stove. A refrigerator is also provided. Rental camping equipment, such as ice chests, bear spray, campstoves, etc., are available locally in Bozeman. Guests will need to bring many...