Bozeman Hot Springs

Gallatin County, Montana · Near Four Corners
45.6600°N, 111.1860°W · 4,740 ft
131°F 37°F air · Good soaking weather 4,740 ft Roadside Camping nearby (10.3 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Bozeman Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Bozeman Hot Springs
Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag the handle to compare the two views. The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Bozeman Hot Springs sits under a mile from Four Corners in Gallatin County, Montana, right beside Gallatin Road. The source is hot enough that you would not put a hand in at the outlet. The water runs strongly alkaline and has iron in it. It appears in the USGS inventory with a 1976 sample. Ownership and public access are missing from our record, so do not assume you can walk up to it.

Location

Gallatin Road is about forty feet away. Valley floor for the Gallatin, at mid elevation, with snowfall a little under five feet in most years and moderate precipitation. Lower Hyalite Group, about ten miles out, is the closest listed place to camp. The record carries no land owner and no land unit, which for a spring this close to the road is worth knowing before you stop.

Best months listed are December through February. Because the source runs well above soaking temperature, any use depends on how the water is cooled, and nothing in the record describes a pool. Confirm ownership before visiting. The chemistry is half a century old.

Terrain

Aircraft with laser scanners measured this ground to within inches. The scan strips out trees and buildings, leaving the bare shape of the land around Bozeman Hot Springs.

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
7 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from south to north, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Heat Below
72 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 7% of the springs on this site.

Heat flow measures the warmth working its way up through the ground from deep inside the earth. Where it runs high, rain and snowmelt that seep down through cracks in the rock come back up hot.

Heat flow estimate: Stanford Thermal Earth Model (Aljubran & Horne, 2024), CC BY 4.0.

Monthly Climate
21°
Jan
21°
Feb
31°
Mar
39°
Apr
49°
May
59°
Jun
69°
Jul
68°
Aug
57°
Sep
43°
Oct
29°
Nov
20°
Dec
Annual Precip: 20.0 in Annual Snow: 55.4 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 20°F · Water 131°F · +111° contrast
January Air 21°F · Water 131°F · +110° contrast
February Air 21°F · Water 131°F · +110° contrast
December offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
37°F
Clear SE 12.4 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Today 69° Low 40° Sunny
Spring is +62° warmer
Wednesday 67° Low 43° Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +64° warmer
Thursday 73° Low 47° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 52% precip
Spring is +58° warmer
Friday 68° Low 44° Showers And Thunderstorms 75% precip
Spring is +63° warmer
Saturday 70° Low 43° Slight Chance Light Rain 20% precip
Spring is +61° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1976-07-09

The water at Bozeman Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 9.5) with 464 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 9.5 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 7 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 2 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 130 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 130 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 50 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 0 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Lower Hyalite Group 10.3 mi away

Overview Lower Hyalite Group Site is located in scenic Hyalite Canyon on the Bozeman Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest. It is just nine miles south of Bozeman, MT. The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, hiking and climbing. Recreation Hyalite Creek provides great fishing for Yellowstone cutthroat, Arctic grayling and brook trout. Many hiking trails can be found in Hyalite Canyon.Facilities The campground offers group site that can...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
131°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 131°F (55°C)
Avg Air Temp 42°F
Above Ambient +89°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Gallatin Road
Distance to Road 38 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Bozeman Hot Springs?
Bozeman Hot Springs has a water temperature of 131°F (55°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Bozeman Hot Springs located?
Bozeman Hot Springs is located in Gallatin County, Montana at 4,740 feet elevation, near Four Corners. Coordinates: 45.6600°N, 111.1860°W.
How do I get to Bozeman Hot Springs?
Bozeman Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Gallatin Road (38 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Bozeman Hot Springs?
Yes, Lower Hyalite Group is located nearby (10.3 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Bozeman Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 9.5 (alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 464 mg/L.
Is it safe to soak at Bozeman Hot Springs?
With care. At 131°F Bozeman Hot Springs is hot enough to need short sessions, fifteen to twenty minutes, and plenty of water. Enter slowly and get out if you feel light-headed.
Sources: USGS NWIS