Medicine Hot Springs
Medicine Hot Springs delivers 117°F water on Bitterroot National Forest land in Ravalli County, Montana, with alkaline chemistry at pH 8.6 dominated by 80 mg/L sodium and 36 mg/L sulfate. Calcium and magnesium concentrations are extremely low at 1.9 and 0.4 mg/L, producing notably soft water. The spring sits at 4,884 feet and requires a short walk from the road.
The spring emerges along Crazy Creek in the Bitterroot Mountains at 4,884 feet, surrounded by dense conifer forest on US Forest Service land. The Bitterroot Range rises steeply to the west toward the Idaho border, with rugged drainages cutting through granite and metamorphic rock. Annual precipitation reaches 25 inches with nearly 97 inches of snow, sustaining thick forest cover. Warm Springs Campground lies just 200 meters from the spring along the wooded creek corridor.
Specific historical documentation for Medicine Hot Springs is limited in published records. The "Medicine" designation follows a naming convention applied to thermal springs across Montana, often reflecting Indigenous recognition of healing properties in the water. The spring sits on National Forest land with open public access under Protection Status 3, meaning the area remains open but subject to extractive use provisions.
Warm Springs Campground sits 200 meters away with 14 sites, vault toilets, and fire rings, though it is first-come-first-served with no reservations. The campground accommodates trailers under 26 feet. Pack out all garbage. Nearly 97 inches of annual snow limits winter access; summer and early fall are most practical. The 117°F source water is dangerously hot for direct contact without mixing with creek water.
Is Medicine Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Medicine Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6).
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Warm Springs Campground is nestled in a wooded area along Crazy Creek. It hosts 14 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. There is no garbage service so Pack it in/Pack it out. Campground can accommodate trailers under 26 feet.