Hunters Hot Springs

Sweet Grass County, Montana · Near Big Timber
45.7570°N, 110.2560°W · 4,386 ft
140°F 36°F air · Good soaking weather 4,386 ft Short Walk Camping nearby (14.7 mi)
Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution

At 140°F, the source water at Hunters Hot Springs is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

Aerial view of the ground around Hunters Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Hunters 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.

Hunters Hot Springs comes out of the ground in Sweet Grass County, Montana, about sixteen miles from Big Timber. The water is hot, right at the line where it stops being safe to touch. No owner is named and no access status is given. A USGS monitoring site is tied to it, with a chemistry sample from the spring of 1977. That is most of what is documented. No fee or trail is noted, and nothing describes what is at the source.

Location

Convict Grade Road is the closest road, a hundred-odd yards off, a short walk on ground the record does not describe. It sits lower than much of the state's thermal country. Around six feet of snow falls in a typical winter here. Precipitation is middling. West Boulder Cabin is the nearest camping listed, close to fifteen miles off.

Test the water before any part of you goes in; at this temperature it can burn. Winter months are flagged as the season. No fee and no land owner are given, so find out who controls the property first. The chemistry on file is nearly fifty years old and alkaline, and the temperature was taken in the same era.

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 Hunters Hot Springs.

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

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
64 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's close to the US average of 65. It's higher than at 2% 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
23°
Jan
21°
Feb
32°
Mar
40°
Apr
50°
May
60°
Jun
70°
Jul
69°
Aug
58°
Sep
43°
Oct
31°
Nov
22°
Dec
Annual Precip: 22.2 in Annual Snow: 70.6 in
Best Time to Visit
February Air 21°F · Water 140°F · +119° contrast
December Air 22°F · Water 140°F · +118° contrast
January Air 23°F · Water 140°F · +117° contrast
February offers 49°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
36°F
Clear NW 29.0 mph 93% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 68° Low 38° Sunny
Spring is +72° warmer
Wednesday 70° Low 43° Sunny
Spring is +70° warmer
Thursday 75° Low 45° Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 22% precip
Spring is +65° warmer
Friday 71° Low 50° Showers And Thunderstorms Likely 63% precip
Spring is +69° warmer
Saturday 72° Low 47° Chance Rain Showers 35% precip
Spring is +68° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1977-04-06

The water at Hunters Hot Springs is alkaline (pH 8.6).

pH 8.6 Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 1 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 0 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 85 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 19 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 14 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 40 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
West Boulder Cabin 14.7 mi away

Overview West Boulder Cabin is open year-round, offering a variety of recreational opportunities as well as relaxation. Guests can drive to the cabin in warmer weather but should be prepared to snowshoe, ski or snowmobile up to a mile on county roads in the winter.The cabin has electric lights and an electric cook stove. A refrigerator is also provided. Rental camping equipment, such as ice chests, bear spray, campstoves, etc., are available locally in Bozeman. Guests will need to bring many...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
140°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 140°F (60°C)
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Above Ambient +97°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road Convict Grade Road
Distance to Road 380 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Hunters Hot Springs?
Hunters Hot Springs has a water temperature of 140°F (60°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Hunters Hot Springs located?
Hunters Hot Springs is located in Sweet Grass County, Montana at 4,386 feet elevation, near Big Timber. Coordinates: 45.7570°N, 110.2560°W.
How do I get to Hunters Hot Springs?
Hunters Hot Springs has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being Convict Grade Road (380 ft from the road).
Can I camp near Hunters Hot Springs?
Yes, West Boulder Cabin is located nearby (14.7 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Hunters Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 8.6 (alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Hunters Hot Springs?
With care. At 140°F Hunters 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, Wikipedia