Sleeping Child Hot Springs
Sleeping Child Hot Springs emerges at 122 degrees Fahrenheit within the Bitterroot National Forest, managed by the US Forest Service with open public access. The alkaline water (pH 8.1) is low in dissolved minerals, with just 6.2 mg/L calcium and 0.2 mg/L magnesium. A 122-meter walk from the road reaches the spring at 4,929 feet elevation in Ravalli County.
The spring lies in a forested canyon along Sleeping Child Creek in the Bitterroot Range, surrounded by dense stands of lodgepole pine and Douglas fir at nearly 5,000 feet. The Bitterroot Valley opens to the west, with the Sapphire Mountains visible beyond. This area receives substantial precipitation: 26.2 inches of rain and 95.8 inches of snow annually, feeding the creek system year-round. Skalkaho Creek flows nearby, and the surrounding national forest terrain is steep and heavily timbered.
Sleeping Child Hot Springs has a long history of use in the Bitterroot Valley. The name derives from a Salish legend about a child left sleeping near the warm waters. The site was developed as a resort in the early 1900s, and commercial soaking facilities have operated at or near the springs at various points. The spring sits on National Forest land with protection status 3. Black Bear Campground on Skalkaho Creek, 9.1 kilometers away, provides six first-come, first-served sites.
The road to Sleeping Child Hot Springs can be rough, especially during spring snowmelt; high-clearance vehicles are recommended. Best access runs from late June through October. Annual snowfall of 95.8 inches makes winter access unreliable. The 122-meter walk from the road is manageable but can be muddy in spring. Water temperature at 122 degrees Fahrenheit requires testing before soaking. Black Bear Campground nearby accommodates RVs and trailers up to 50 feet.
Is Sleeping Child Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Hot spring soaking
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Sleeping Child Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 8.1).
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Located on the banks of Skalkaho Creek, Black Bear Campground hosts 6 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and a vault toilet. There is no garbage service so Pack it in/Pack it out. Campground can accommodate RV's or trailers to 50'.