Silver Star Hot Springs
Silver Star Hot Springs registers 163 degrees Fahrenheit, confirmed by USGS at 72.7 degrees Celsius, making it one of Montana's hottest natural thermal discharges. The spring sits at 4,667 feet elevation in Jefferson County and requires a 500-meter walk from Ridge Road, classified as short-walk access near Whitehall.
The spring emerges in the foothills of the Highland Mountains at 4,667 feet, where dry grassland and scattered juniper give way to denser conifer forest at higher elevations. The Jefferson River valley spreads below to the north. Annual precipitation averages 19 inches with 55.6 inches of snow, and the average air temperature of 43.8 degrees Fahrenheit means the spring runs a striking 119.2 degrees above ambient conditions. Ridge Road provides the nearest vehicle access across open, rolling terrain.
Silver Star Hot Springs draws its name from the small community of Silver Star, itself named for a nearby silver mine active during the late 1800s. The thermal feature was documented in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI survey. The extremely high water temperature has limited historical recreational use. Hells Canyon Guard Station, a log cabin built in 1906 and donated to the Forest Service in 1910, sits 10.1 kilometers away and is available as a reservable rental.
Extreme caution is required: water at 163 degrees Fahrenheit causes immediate scalding. This spring is not suitable for soaking at the source. The 500-meter walk from Ridge Road crosses open terrain without formal trails. Visit from June through October when access roads are clear of snow. Hells Canyon Guard Station, 10.1 kilometers away, provides rustic overnight lodging and serves as a base for exploring the Highland Mountains.
Is Silver Star Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Silver Star Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.6).
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Overview Hells Canyon Guard Station is a quaint log cabin located in the Highland Mountains of Montana's Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. It is most often used as a base camp by hunters and hikers. The area is replete with wildlife and provides access to scenic mountain views, as well as plentiful opportunities for recreation. It was originally built in 1906 and used as a line cabin for ranchers before being donated to the Forest Service in 1910. The Forest Service has used the cabin...