# Vigilante Spring, Montana

Vigilante Spring in Montana. 75°F (24°C). Roadside · Public Land. Madison County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/vigilante-spring
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Vigilante Spring?

The water leaves the ground at 75°F, about as warm as a heated pool. You can drive right up to it. It's on US Forest Service land. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 75°F (24°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,145 ft |
| Access | Roadside · Public Land, 14 ft from the nearest road (National Forest Development Road 163) |
| Land | Beaverhead National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Madison County |
| Nearest town | Virginia City |
| Coordinates | 45.03700, -111.95300 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | VIGILANTE CABIN, 1.4 mi |

## About Vigilante Spring

Vigilante Spring is a tepid spring in the Beaverhead National Forest, Madison County, Montana, eighteen miles from Virginia City. Wading is about the most the water allows. Access is open, it is Forest Service land, and it sits almost on the road. Vigilante Cabin is close by, which makes it an easy stop from there.

Forest Development Road 163 runs within fourteen feet of the spring, which makes it about as roadside as a spring gets. Elevation is high, snow is heavy at nearly ninety inches, and the climate is wet. Beaverhead National Forest land, no fee on file.

Vigilante Cabin is a mile and a half away. Winter holds the best-months slot on the record, but the snowfall here argues for summer, when a forest road is more likely open and the cabin easier to reach. Access is open. Neither chemistry nor a survey date is on file, and no photo exists.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Virginia City](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/montana/virginia-city), 23 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Montana](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana)
- [Puller Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/puller-hot-springs): 111°F source, pH 7.3, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Trudau Warm Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/trudau-warm-springs): 73°F source, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Wolf Creek Hot Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/wolf-creek-hot-springs): 154°F source, pH 8.6, Hike, near Big Sky, Gallatin County
- [West Fork Swimming Hole, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/west-fork-swimming-hole): 79°F source, Short Walk, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin County
- [Andersons Pasture Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/andersons-pasture-springs): 82°F source, pH 7.4, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [Staudenmeyer Springs, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/staudenmeyer-springs): 82°F source, pH 7.4, Short Walk, near Virginia City, Madison County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Vigilante Spring?**
Vigilante Spring has a water temperature of 75°F (24°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is Vigilante Spring located?**
Vigilante Spring is located in Madison County, Montana at 6,145 feet elevation, near Virginia City. Coordinates: 45.0370°N, 111.9530°W.

**How do I get to Vigilante Spring?**
Vigilante Spring has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being National Forest Development Road 163 (14 ft from the road).

**Is Vigilante Spring free to visit?**
Vigilante Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Vigilante Spring?**
Yes, Vigilante Cabin is located nearby (1.4 miles away).

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals