Lolo Hot Springs

A historic geothermal resort along the Lewis and Clark Trail, featuring mineral pools, rustic cabins, and a lively mountain saloon.

Lolo Hot Springs Resort sits on 125 private acres within the Lolo National Forest, approximately 37 miles southwest of Missoula along Highway 12. This geothermal destination has drawn travelers for centuries, starting with the Salish and Nez Perce tribes who used the mineral waters for healing and warmth. In September 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition arrived at the springs, guided by Shoshone scouts. William Clark recorded the waters as nearly boiling hot where they bubbled from the rocks. Upon their return journey in June 1806, the explorers took time to soak in a pool prepared with stone and mud, with Clark noting in his journals that a ten-minute bath caused a profuse sweat. Today, the resort continues to channel these same waters into two primary pools: a steamy indoor pool kept between 103 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit, and a larger outdoor pool regulated to a cooler 74 to 85 degrees depending on the season.

The resort offers several overnight options, including deluxe cabins equipped with queen beds, pull-out trundle beds, private bathrooms, and kitchenettes featuring microwaves and mini-fridges. Simpler dry cabins provide a rustic shelter for those looking to unplug, while a spacious campground and RV park with water and electrical hookups lies just across the highway along Lolo Creek. Staying overnight grants guests complimentary access to the mineral pools, which remain open late into the evening. On Sunday and Wednesday nights from 9:00 PM to midnight, the resort hosts its signature adult-only, clothing-optional Back to Nature nights, transforming the outdoor pool into a quiet soak under the Montana sky. Due to state health regulations, children under five are restricted from the high-temperature indoor pool, keeping that space notably tranquil throughout the day.

Directly across from the pools, the Bear Cave Bar and Restaurant serves as the property's social hub, offering a warm saloon atmosphere complete with a wood-burning stove, a casino gaming center, and live music on select weekends. The kitchen specializes in hearty American comfort food, preparing hand-cut steaks, burgers, and weekend breakfasts that cater to hungry hikers and campers. Beyond the soaking and dining, the resort serves as an active basecamp year-round. During the summer, guests can play a round on the free 18-hole disc golf course, while winter brings heavy snow and the opportunity to rent snowmobiles directly from the resort to explore 350 miles of groomed trails winding through the Bitterroot and Clearwater mountain ranges.

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