Green Springs

Sanders County, Montana · Near Plains
47.4510°N, 114.6480°W · 2,813 ft
79°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 2,813 ft Unknown Roadside DESG Camping nearby (13.0 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Green Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Green 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.

Eleven miles from Plains, on Flathead Reservation ground in Sanders County, Green Springs runs warm to the touch and not hot, cooler than a bath. Cottonwood Creek Road runs right past. The land is tribal, access is unrecorded, and there is no photograph or chemistry on file, so the record is slim.

Location

Low elevation for Montana, down in a valley where snow falls in moderate amounts and rainfall is on the wetter side for the state. The spring is a roadside one, barely past the shoulder of Cottonwood Creek Road. Tribal ownership means this is not open public ground by default.

Ask the reservation before you visit; access is unknown. Cascade Campground is about thirteen miles away. December through February are listed as best, and a winter visit is workable given moderate snow. No fee on record. The temperature on file has no survey date attached, so treat it as approximate.

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 Green Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from southwest to northeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
116 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about twice the US average of 65. It's higher than at 68% 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
27°
Jan
27°
Feb
36°
Mar
44°
Apr
55°
May
62°
Jun
72°
Jul
72°
Aug
61°
Sep
47°
Oct
36°
Nov
28°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.5 in Annual Snow: 59.2 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 27°F · Water 79°F · +52° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 79°F · +52° contrast
December Air 28°F · Water 79°F · +51° contrast
January offers 45°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
46°F
NNW 0.0 mph 96% Good soaking weather
Today 67° Low 45° Mostly Cloudy 1% precip
Spring is +12° warmer
Wednesday 72° Low 47° Sunny
Spring is +7° warmer
Thursday 76° Low 50° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +3° warmer
Friday 75° Low 49° Slight Chance Light Rain then Sunny 16% precip
Spring is +4° warmer
Saturday 77° Low 50° Sunny 6% precip
Spring is +2° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Cascade Campground 13.0 mi away

Overview Scenic BywayClark Fork RiverIron Mountain TrailheadCascade FallsWildlifeDouglas-fir, ponderosa pine, and western larch treesRecreation CampingHikingFishingRaftingBoatingFacilities Cascade Campground has 11 sites plus 1 group site that are back in only and can accommodate RV's 27' to 35' in length depending on the site. All sites have a picnic table and a fire ring. A primitive boat ramp is available on Clark Fork River across the highway from the campground. Potable water, vault to...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
79°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 79°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 47°F
Above Ambient +32°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Unknown
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Cottonwood Creek Road
Distance to Road 127 ft
Land
Ownership DESG
Agency DESG
Designation Tribal Land
Unit Flathead Reservation
Manager TRIB
Protection 4 - No known protection
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Green Springs?
Green Springs has a water temperature of 79°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Green Springs located?
Green Springs is located in Sanders County, Montana at 2,813 feet elevation, near Plains. Coordinates: 47.4510°N, 114.6480°W.
How do I get to Green Springs?
Green Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Cottonwood Creek Road (127 ft from the road).
Is Green Springs free to visit?
Green Springs has Unknown access. It is managed by DESG.
Can I camp near Green Springs?
Yes, Cascade Campground is located nearby (13.0 miles away).