• Symes Hot Springs Resort still has the charming vibe of the 1940s
• Some rooms at the resort have private soaking tubs and even a sauna!
Symes Hot Springs is a historic resort in Montana's Little Bitterroot River Valley. It is located in the town of Hot Springs, 77 miles northwest of Missoula, and provides access to geothermal mineral water and various outdoor adventures.
The valley's hot springs were popular among the First People long before Europeans arrived.
In 1910, the government allowed people to settle on the Flathead Reservation and buy land. The place where early settler Ed Lamereaux lived later became the town of Hot Springs.
Fred Symes built the first hotel here in 1928. It included twenty baths and a doctor's office. The springs became popular in the 1940s and remained so ever since.
The Symes family sold the hotel to the current owner, Leslie Smith, in the mid-1990s. Although the place has been renovated, Symes Hot Springs still has the charming vibe of the 1940s.
You can book a room at the hotel or pay a day-use fee to soak in the spring water.
Geothermal Water & Soaking
Geothermal water comes from the artesian well at 108° F (42° C) and is piped into the pool and tubs.
The large outdoor soaking tub is maintained at 107° F (41° C) degrees.
The 20 ft x 40 ft swimming pool right next to the tub is 101° F (38° C) degrees. Water from the tub overflows into the pool via a small waterfall.
Additionally, the indoor co-ed bathhouse has 4 small one-person soaking tubs in private stalls.
Some rooms have a private jetted tub and even a sauna!
You can also book a soak & steam room with a 2-person jetted tub and sauna at the hourly rate.
At Symes Spa, you can enjoy various self-care treatments, including Swedish massage, hot rock therapy, exfoliation, wraps, and even Watsu.
Beyond Hot Springs: Other Adventures
The hot springs often host live music events. The hotel also has an art gallery and an antique shop.
The hotel's Symes Bathhouse Grill & Cantina serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Daily Grind Espresso Bar sells fresh brownies, muffins, cookies, smoothies, and Italian sodas.
Additionally, you can book the common areas for a wedding, reunion, or another event.
Flathead Lake, National Bison Range, and Lake Mary Ronan State Park are the closest places in the area where you can go for outdoor adventures, including hiking, fishing, and more.
Camping & Lodging
The hotel has 48 rooms, including a Jacuzzi Suite, cabins, and more.
Also, you can use Symes tent and RV campground.
Additionally, the town of Hot Springs has other accommodations to choose from.
Affordable short and long-term rentals near Symes Hot Springs
Symes Hot Springs | Facts
Location: 77 miles northwest of Missoula • Western Montana • USA
Open: Year-round
Development: Swimming pool, soaking tubs, sauna
Clothing: Mandatory
Amenities & Services: Hotel rooms, restaurant, coffee shop, art gallery, antiques shop, campgroung
Hiking distance: Short
Road access: Any vehicle
Day-use fees: Yes
Elevation: 2,830 ft (863 m)
Water T° (source):108° F (42° C)
Water T° (outdoor soaking tub): 107° F (41° C)
Water T° (swimming pool): 101° F (38° C)
Odor: None
Chemical used: Light chlorination in shared pool and tub
Mineral Contents (milligrams per Liter):
Silica 66.1 mg/L
Calcium 0.71 mg/L
Magnesium 0.10 mg/L
Sodium 92.8 mg/L
Potassium 1.69 mg/L
Carbonate 48.06 mg/L
Bicarbonate 91.71 mg/L
Directions to Symes Hot Springs
From Perma,
- Take State Hwy 382 for 15.7 miles
- Turn right onto Mount Hwy 28 East and follow it for 2.7 miles
- Turn left onto Hwy 77 and follow it for 1.7 miles
- Continue onto Broadway Avenue for 0.3 miles
- Turn right onto Spring Street and then left onto 1st Avenue N and follow it for 0.1 miles
- Turn right onto N Wall Street.
Phone: 406-741-2361
symeshotsprings.com