# West Fork Swimming Hole, Montana

West Fork Swimming Hole in Montana. 79°F (26°C). Short Walk · Public Land. Gallatin County.

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

## Can you soak at West Fork Swimming Hole?

The water leaves the ground at 79°F, about as warm as a heated pool. It's a short walk from the road. 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 | 79°F (26°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Elevation | 6,617 ft |
| Access | Short Walk · Public Land, 0.9 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Beaverhead National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Gallatin County |
| Nearest town | West Yellowstone |
| Coordinates | 44.78500, -111.64900 |
| Best months to soak | December, January, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | Wade Lake (MT), 4.0 mi |

## About West Fork Swimming Hole

The name West Fork Swimming Hole more or less admits what this is: warm water on Beaverhead National Forest land in Gallatin County, Montana, about 28 miles out of West Yellowstone. Access is open. Tepid water, well short of a hot soak. Chemistry and sample date are both blank, as is the fee.

Under a mile from the road, which the record leaves unnamed. This is high country, carrying eight feet of snow per winter and a moderately wet year. Wade Lake campground is four miles away. Forest Service ground, designated national forest. No trail is named, and no land designation beyond that.

Open access. The calendar in the record favors winter, and at this elevation winter is deep. Wade Lake is the camping to use. Fee: none recorded. There is no dated sample behind the temperature, and no chemistry at all, so the figure is approximate. Plan for a walk of under a mile.

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Virginia City](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/montana/virginia-city), 13 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Montana](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana)
- [Sloan Cow Camp Spring, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/sloan-cow-camp-spring): 86°F source, Hike, near West Yellowstone, Gallatin 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
- [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
- [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
- [Vigilante Spring, MT](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/montana/vigilante-spring): 75°F source, Roadside, near Virginia City, Madison County
- [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

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at West Fork Swimming Hole?**
West Fork Swimming Hole has a water temperature of 79°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.

**Where is West Fork Swimming Hole located?**
West Fork Swimming Hole is located in Gallatin County, Montana at 6,617 feet elevation, near West Yellowstone. Coordinates: 44.7850°N, 111.6490°W.

**How do I get to West Fork Swimming Hole?**
West Fork Swimming Hole has Short Walk road access (0.9 mi from the road).

**Is West Fork Swimming Hole free to visit?**
West Fork Swimming Hole has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near West Fork Swimming Hole?**
Yes, Wade Lake (Mt) is located nearby (4.0 miles away).

## Sources

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