Warm Springs (State Hospital)
Warm Springs discharges at 172 degrees Fahrenheit, one of the hottest recorded springs in Montana. Located on state-owned land managed by the Montana Department of Corrections, the spring is closed to public access. Recent USGS measurements confirm a temperature of 77 degrees Celsius with neutral pH of 7.0 and high sulfate concentrations at 660 mg/L.
The spring sits at 4,830 feet in the broad Deer Lodge Valley of southwestern Montana, where the Warm Springs Creek drainage meets wide, open ranchland. Annual precipitation reaches 19.6 inches with 58.6 inches of snow. The valley floor is semi-arid grassland flanked by timbered mountain slopes. The Clark Fork River headwaters flow nearby, and the landscape is shaped by historic mining and ranching activity.
The thermal waters here attracted attention in the late 1800s, and the Montana State Hospital was established at the site in 1877 as the Territorial Asylum. The springs gave the surrounding town its name. The facility transitioned to Department of Corrections oversight and remains an active institutional campus. Public bathing ended generations ago, and the springs are now entirely within the closed facility grounds.
This spring is not accessible to visitors. The grounds are part of an active corrections facility, and entry is prohibited without authorization. No public soaking, viewing, or parking areas exist. Those interested in the thermal geology of the Deer Lodge Valley can instead explore other regional springs or the interpretive resources available through the Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology.
Is Warm Springs (State Hospital) worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Warm Springs (State Hospital) is neutral (pH 7.0). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health) and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
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