White Sulphur Springs

Meagher County, Montana · Near White Sulphur Springs
46.5470°N, 110.9030°W · 5,040 ft
136°F 37°F air · Good soaking weather 5,040 ft Roadside Camping nearby (14.8 mi)

White Sulphur Springs the spring and White Sulphur Springs the town share a name and a location, in Meagher County, Montana; the spring is under two hundred yards from town center and fifty-odd feet from South Central Avenue. The water is hot, well above soaking temperature. There is a USGS site, sampled in 1978, near neutral with iron. No owner and access is on record.

Location
0 miles from White Sulphur Springs, MT

About as roadside as it gets, in town and at moderate elevation. Snow totals are modest and the year runs dryish. Thompson Guard Station, about fifteen miles out, is the closest camping. Nothing on record says what is built at the spring, in town or otherwise.

Hot enough to scald; do not touch untested. Winter again is the season given. Being in town, ask locally about access, since the record does not say. Thompson Guard Station is the row's camping entry. The chemistry dates to 1978, and so does the temperature.

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 White Sulphur Springs.

Aerial view of the ground around White Sulphur Springs LiDAR bare-earth view of the same ground around White Sulphur 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.

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the southeast.
Highest ground nearby
78 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
84 milliwatts per square meter of heat flow

That's about 1½ times the US average of 65. It's higher than at 21% 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
20°
Jan
19°
Feb
29°
Mar
36°
Apr
47°
May
56°
Jun
66°
Jul
65°
Aug
55°
Sep
40°
Oct
28°
Nov
18°
Dec
Annual Precip: 17.5 in Annual Snow: 56.3 in
Best Time to Visit
December Air 18°F · Water 136°F · +118° contrast
January Air 20°F · Water 136°F · +117° contrast
February Air 19°F · Water 136°F · +117° contrast
December offers 48°F more contrast than July
Current Conditions
37°F
NE 21.6 mph 88% Good soaking weather
Today 66° Low 38° Patchy Fog then Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +70° warmer
Wednesday 65° Low 39° Mostly Sunny 1% precip
Spring is +71° warmer
Thursday 74° Low 44° Sunny 7% precip
Spring is +62° warmer
Friday 66° Low 41° Rain Showers Likely 74% precip
Spring is +70° warmer
Saturday 69° Low 41° Slight Chance Light Rain 24% precip
Spring is +67° warmer
Water Chemistry Sampled 1978-08-20

The water at White Sulphur Springs is neutral (pH 6.9). It is notably rich in sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration), sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation), and chloride (natural antiseptic with skin health benefits).

pH 6.9 Neutral
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Calcium 41 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 11 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 480 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 300 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 170 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 20 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Where to Stay

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Nearby Camping
Thompson Guard Station 14.8 mi away

Overview Thompson Guard Station is located in the Big Belt Mountain Range in Helena National Forest. Historical records indicate that the guard station was built in 1954 for rangers in the district, but it may have been used as a cookhouse for a Civilian Conservation Corps camp prior to that date. In later years, engineering and road maintenance crews used the cabin as lodging. Today, the cabin is a rustic getaway for guests seeking relaxation and recreation in west-central Montana. It is...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
136°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 136°F (58°C)
Avg Air Temp 40°F
Above Ambient +96°F
Great soaking conditions September
Access
Road Access Roadside
Nearest Road South Central Avenue
Distance to Road 53 ft
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at White Sulphur Springs?
White Sulphur Springs has a water temperature of 136°F (58°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.
Where is White Sulphur Springs located?
White Sulphur Springs is located in Meagher County, Montana at 5,040 feet elevation, near White Sulphur Springs. Coordinates: 46.5470°N, 110.9030°W.
How do I get to White Sulphur Springs?
White Sulphur Springs has Roadside road access, with the nearest road being South Central Avenue (53 ft from the road).
Can I camp near White Sulphur Springs?
Yes, Thompson Guard Station is located nearby (14.8 miles away).
What minerals are in the water at White Sulphur Springs?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 6.9 (neutral).
Is it safe to soak at White Sulphur Springs?
With care. At 136°F White Sulphur 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