Bozeman Hot Springs, about 8 miles and 15 minutes from downtown.
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Bozeman sits within an hour of four hot springs, each with its own personality: a full-service wellness resort with 12 pools, a historic lodge with a killer dinner menu, a wooden soaking tub with a burger and a beer, and a quiet spot just outside Yellowstone's north entrance.
Below, find drive times, pool counts and water temps for each one, plus what to pack and when to go.
Distance from Bozeman:
About 50 minutes (47 miles) via Highway 89 through Paradise Valley
Number of pools:
3, ranging from a cold plunge to a hot soak
Temperature range:
60–65°F (cold plunge) to 105–106°F (hot pool)
Lodging/Camping:
Onsite cabins and suites year-round; RV and tent camping seasonally, May through October
Just eight miles from Yellowstone's north entrance, this is the spot for winding down before or after a day in the park. Renovated in recent years, Yellowstone Hot Springs keeps things calm and clean — no alcohol, tobacco or pets — with mineral water pulled straight from the source and views up and down Paradise Valley. Grab a bite at the on-site café and make a weekend of it in one of the cabins.
Distance from Bozeman:
About 1 hour (55 miles) via I-90 E and Highway 89
Number of pools:
2 (open-air)
Temperature range:
96°F and 103–104°F
Lodging/Camping:
Historic lodge rooms, cottages, chalets, cabins, and even a converted train caboose (no camping)
Chico is less a hot spring and more a full weekend. Tucked into Paradise Valley near Pray, about 30 miles from Yellowstone's north entrance, Chico has been running since 1900 and still nails the combination of naturally heated pools, a legendary dining room and live music in the saloon. Stop in for a soak on your way to the park, or book a room and stay the night — either way, you'll want to eat here.
Distance from Bozeman:
About 40–45 minutes (33 miles) via Highway 84
Number of pools:
1 (wooden soaking pool, fed by artesian springs)
Temperature range:
Roughly 100°F in summer, up to 106°F in winter
Lodging/Camping:
Onsite campground, 13 sites (9 full hookup, 4 tent), open May through September
Norris is the local's local. One big wooden pool, fed straight from the "Water of the Gods" artesian springs, with a café serving organic food and beer on tap right at the water's edge. It's casual, a little rustic, and weekends bring live music from the stage. Camp overnight in summer and you get discounted soaking to go with it.
Distance from Bozeman:
8 miles / about 15 minutes
Number of pools:
12, indoor and outdoor
Temperature range:
59°F–106°F
Lodging/Camping:
Bozeman Campground next door (cabins, RV and tent sites)
The closest hot spring to town, and the easiest to fold into a regular Tuesday. Bozeman Hot Springs sits just off Highway 191 on the way to Big Sky, with 12 pools ranging from a bracing cold plunge to a 106-degree soak. Indoor pools run on a flow-through system with no chemicals added, and the outdoor area brings the whole vibe up a notch with lit pools, rock features, fire pits and a stage for live music. There's also a full spa and fitness center if you want to make a day of it.
Bring a swimsuit and sandals. Clothing is required at all four spots, and sandals make the walk from the locker room a lot more comfortable.
Book ahead for lodging and camping. Chico and Yellowstone Hot Springs both fill up fast in summer and around holidays, especially for cabins and lodge rooms.
Check hours before you go. Some hot springs close for maintenance or private events on certain days — Bozeman Hot Springs and Norris both do this on a rotating schedule.
Winter is prime soaking season. Watching snow fall while you're in 100-plus-degree water is about as Montana as it gets, and all four spots stay open year-round (camping excluded).
Pace yourself if you're drinking. Chico and Norris both serve alcohol poolside, and heat intensifies its effects fast. Drink water in between.
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Feel like driving a little farther? Montana has more than 20 hot springs scattered across the state, from Fairmont's massive indoor pool near Butte to remote soaking pots in the mountains. If you've got extra time on your trip, check out 15 Hot Springs in Montana to Visit Any Time of Year for options a bit farther afield.
Bozeman Hot Springs, about 8 miles and 15 minutes from downtown.
It depends on the spot and the season. Walk-ins are generally fine for day soaking, but call ahead during busy weekends and holidays.
All four are fed by natural geothermal or artesian water sources, though the pools themselves are built and maintained structures rather than undeveloped hot pots.
Pet policies vary. Norris allows leashed pets in camping areas; Yellowstone Hot Springs doesn't allow pets in the pool area at all. Check with each location before you go.
Most locations welcome families and kids, though some have specific rules about which pools kids can use. Check each hot spring's website for current policies.
Year-round. Summer means longer days and camping options; winter means steam rising off the water while snow falls around you. Both are good reasons to go.