Wolf Creek Hot Springs
Wolf Creek Hot Springs reaches 154 degrees Fahrenheit in the mountains of Gallatin County, Montana, near Big Sky. USGS measurements confirm 67 degrees Celsius with alkaline pH of 8.6 and high sodium at 120 mg/L. Reaching the spring requires a 2,079-meter hike from Sun Ranch Road, placing it firmly in backcountry territory at 6,116 feet elevation.
The spring emerges in the upper Madison River drainage, surrounded by high-elevation terrain where the Gallatin and Madison ranges converge. Dense conifer forest and alpine meadows define the landscape. Annual snowfall averages 103.7 inches, and the mean air temperature is just 39.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The Upper Madison River runs through the valley below, framed by volcanic and metamorphic geology that feeds the region's thermal activity.
This is a committed day hike or overnight trip. The 2 km approach from Sun Ranch Road crosses uneven terrain with no maintained trail for portions of the route. Visit between July and September to avoid deep snowpack. The water is dangerously hot at 154 degrees and requires mixing with creek water for any contact. Palisades Campground, 3.9 km away on the Upper Madison River, has 10 first-come sites with vault toilets.
Specific historical documentation for Wolf Creek Hot Springs is sparse. The spring lies in a zone of intense geothermal activity linked to the Yellowstone hotspot system, which drives thermal features across this portion of southwestern Montana. The area has been used for ranching and recreation since the late 1800s, but no commercial development has occurred at the spring itself. It remains a primitive backcountry thermal feature.
The water at Wolf Creek Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6).
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The Palisades Recreation Area is located on the Upper Madison River, 5 river miles upstream of Ruby Creek Recreation Area and 25 miles south of Ennis. The campground has 10 camping sites with 2 accessible vault toilets and a campground host pad. A separate day use site with a paved boat launch and parking area is located near the campground.
Wolf Creek Hot Springs sits at 6,116 feet above sea level, way above the mile-high mark. You may not feel the altitude strongly, but hot water still dehydrates you faster at elevation. UV is about 24% stronger than at sea level, so bring sunscreen and drink more water than you normally would.
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Wolf Creek Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water is dangerously hot — bring water shoes and test pools carefully. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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