Renova Hot Springs

Also known as: Renova Hotspring
Jefferson County, Montana · Near Whitehall
45.7920°N, 112.1260°W · 4,500 ft
122°F 30°F air · Good soaking weather 4,500 ft Open Roadside Bureau of Land Management Camping nearby (12.2 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Renova Hot Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around Renova 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.

Renova Hot Springs flows hot on BLM ground in Jefferson County, Montana, under six miles from Whitehall, and access is recorded as open. OpenStreetMap spells it Renova Hotspring. The water is beyond comfortable soaking at the source. The Dillon Field Office manages the land, which is designated public. The USGS tracks it as a site with a 1977 sample.

Location

Point of Rocks Road passes a couple hundred feet away. Mid-elevation, dry country with under four feet of snow most winters and light annual precipitation. Toll Mountain Campground, the nearest listed, is about twelve miles out. The land is public and undesignated beyond that.

Open access on BLM land. Hot enough to need care; check the water first. Winter gets the nod in the record, and the light snow helps. Toll Mountain Campground is the place to camp per the record. No fee is recorded. The chemistry dates to June 1977 and includes iron; the temperature was taken that day too.

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 Renova Hot Springs.

Setting
Hillside
The spring sits on a steep slope that climbs to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
441 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the southeast
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Heat Below
104 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 53% 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
22°
Jan
22°
Feb
33°
Mar
42°
Apr
52°
May
62°
Jun
71°
Jul
70°
Aug
60°
Sep
44°
Oct
31°
Nov
21°
Dec
Annual Precip: 17.3 in Annual Snow: 47.4 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 22°F · Water 122°F · +101° contrast
December Air 21°F · Water 122°F · +101° contrast
February Air 22°F · Water 122°F · +100° contrast
January offers 50°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
30°F
95% Good soaking weather
Today 67° Low 39° Sunny
Spring is +55° warmer
Wednesday 66° Low 43° Sunny 3% precip
Spring is +56° warmer
Thursday 72° Low 47° Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms 40% precip
Spring is +50° warmer
Friday 67° Low 44° Rain Showers Likely 68% precip
Spring is +55° warmer
Saturday 69° Low 44° Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Sunny 15% precip
Spring is +53° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1977-06-21

The water at Renova Hot Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5). It is notably rich in sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).

pH 7.5 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 51 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 13 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 150 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 200 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 34 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 80 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Toll Mountain Campground 12.2 mi away

Toll Mountain campground is located on the eastside of the Highland Mountain Range, approximately 20 miles east of Butte. The campground  has 5 units that will accommodate trailers up to 22 feet and also has a group picnic area. The campground is close to a creek and offers a quiet forest setting for weekend getaways.

Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
122°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 122°F (50°C)
Avg Air Temp 44°F
Above Ambient +78°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road Point of Rocks Road
Distance to Road 228 ft
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency Bureau of Land Management
Designation PUB
Unit Dillon Field Office
Manager Bureau of Land Management
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Renova Hot Springs?
Renova Hot Springs has a water temperature of 122°F (50°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is Renova Hot Springs located?
Renova Hot Springs is located in Jefferson County, Montana at 4,500 feet elevation, near Whitehall. Coordinates: 45.7920°N, 112.1260°W.
How do I get to Renova Hot Springs?
Renova Hot Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being Point of Rocks Road (228 ft from the road).
Is Renova Hot Springs free to visit?
Renova Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by Bureau of Land Management.
Can I camp near Renova Hot Springs?
Yes, Toll Mountain Campground is located nearby (12.2 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at Renova Hot Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.5 (slightly alkaline).
Is it safe to soak at Renova Hot Springs?
With care. At 122°F Renova 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.