Potosi Warm Springs
Potosi Warm Springs discharges at 124 degrees Fahrenheit from alkaline waters (pH 8.3) with high sodium (88 mg/L) and sulfate (98 mg/L) concentrations. Located at 6,043 feet in Madison County, Montana, the spring sits 110.6 meters from Willow Meadow Road, classified as a short-walk access point near Virginia City.
The spring emerges in the upper Madison River drainage at over 6,000 feet, surrounded by montane meadows and conifer forest typical of southwestern Montana's high valleys. Annual snowfall reaches 64.5 inches and average air temperature sits at 38.6 degrees Fahrenheit, creating long, cold winters. Willow Meadow Road provides the nearest vehicle access, and the broader landscape is shaped by the same geothermal system that feeds other thermal features in the drainage.
Visit between late June and September, after snowmelt clears Willow Meadow Road. The 110-meter walk from the road is straightforward but unmarked. Water temperature at 124 degrees Fahrenheit can cause scalding; test carefully before contact. Red Mountain Campground, 25.7 kilometers away, accepts reservations from May through mid-September. Bring layers for cool mountain evenings at 6,000 feet.
Documentation on Potosi Warm Springs is limited. The spring shares its name with the nearby Potosi mining district, a reference to the famed Bolivian silver city, reflecting the area's 1860s mining heritage tied to the Virginia City gold rush. Madison County's thermal springs were cataloged in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI survey. Current development status and formal public access arrangements are not well documented.
The water at Potosi Warm Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.3).
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Overview The Dillon Field Office is unable to make reservations for you. Please call Recreation.gov (877-444-6777) to book a reservation or book online. Campsites are available for reservation for the Peak-Season times of May 1st through September 15th. From September 16th through April 30th, all sites are first-come-first-serve. Red Mountain Campground is adjacent to the lower Madison River and provides good access for camping, fishing and floating. The campground has 19 camp sites, 11 ava...
Potosi Warm Springs sits at 6,043 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 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Potosi Warm Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water runs hot, so extra hydration is key. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Springs Near Potosi Warm Springs
More Springs Around 124°F
Slightly Alkaline Springs (pH ~8.3)
Hike 6 waterfalls near Potosi Warm Springs
Looking for more outdoor adventures? Explore waterfall hikes near Potosi Warm Springs, Montana.