Celebrate Summer at One of Four Southwest Montana Hot Springs

Summer and relaxation should naturally go together. After a strenuous day of sport or recreation what could be more rewarding than a soak in geothermally heated, mineral-rich, rejuvenating waters. Clean, clear, hot. You can just imagine how great this would be.

Indoor or outdoor pools, options for throwing in a great night's sleep and delicious food into the mix and it's hard to resist. Add to that the beauty of not needing to drive forever to reach your destination, and you may discover that all of these choices – Boulder Hot Springs, Elkhorn Hot Springs, Norris Hot Springs, and Jackson Hot Springs – are too good to pass up.

BOULDER HOT SPRINGS INN, SPA AND RETREAT CENTER

The main attraction at Boulder Hot Springs is the mineral-rich, pure geothermal waters used in the indoor plunges and outdoor swimming pool. This year-round 100-year-old historic inn within its natural, relaxing environment sits on almost 300 acres of beautiful meadows, wetlands and forests among snow-capped mountains and lush valleys, backed by Deerlodge National Forest.

Specializing in healthy, healing, and active living and luxury at an affordable price, Boulder Hot Springs is an alcohol, drug and smoke- free environment.

A deck with tables and chairs surrounds the 20-foot by 60-foot outdoor pool, kept between 96 to 100 degrees. An indoor pool is kept slightly warmer, at 103 to 106 degrees, with separate plunges for men and women, each with a continuous flow that completely changes the water every four hours. Guests often combine sitting in radon caves with soaking in the healing waters, as well at spending time in the steam room. Appointments are not needed to visit the pools and steam rooms.

Two types of accommodations are available to extend your stay: elegant, well-appointed en-suite B&B rooms that look out at the Montana wilderness and include breakfast and less luxurious guest rooms offered at a reduced fee, usually with a shared bath.

The kitchen specializes in home-cooked food with a focus on locally grown and organic food. Along with breakfast for B&B guests, meals can be catered for retreats, meetings and family reunions.

31 Hot Springs Rd, 406-225-4339, http://www.boulderhotsprings.com. Open daily 10 AM-8 PM. April-October. Prices: $8 adults, $6 seniors (60 and over), $4 ages 3 - 12.

ELKHORN HOT SPRINGS RESORT

In the Pioneer Mountains, within Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, lies Elkhorn Hotsprings Resort, a rustic getaway with relaxation as its focus, offering rejuvenating waters, good country eating and a good night's sleep to its guests since 1918. This year-round resort offers two outdoor hot mineral pools, Grecian sauna, a variety of overnight accommodations that include breakfast, and a restaurant and bar.

Not surprisingly, the natural hot springs are the jewel of the resort with rejuvenating waters, 100% mineralized and naturally heated by geothermal energy, passing through the three pools at a speed that makes any chemical treatment unnecessary for daily use. The larger outdoor pool, two smaller indoor pools and sauna range in temperature from 100 to 105 degrees.

There are rooms in the lodge and modern and rustic cabins for overnight stays. Cabins feature electricity, wood-burning stoves and a woodpile. Modern cabins are en-suite, while rustic cabins share a bathhouse.

When it's time for a snack or meal the restaurant excels in homemade country-style dining serving three meals a day featuring burgers, pizza, soups, biscuits and gravy and more. To top off the day there's a full bar and live music.

339 Hot Springs Rd, Polaris, 406-834-3434, http://www.elkhornhotsprings.com. Open Sun.-Thurs. 8 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 8 AM-11 PM. Prices: $10 adults, $7 children.

NORRIS HOT SPRINGS

Norris Hot Springs describes itself as the Last Best Place, a unique oasis in the middle of Montana, the location of the Water of the Gods, a geothermal wonder offering a rustic yet elegant experience. Here, clean, clear, hot mineral water at 120 degrees, from a series of artesian springs and cooled by a system of jets and sprayers, bubbles up through wooden planks to fill the historic wooden 38,000-gallon pool. Every night it's emptied using the original gate valve installed in the 1880s by miners.

The resort is open year-round and walk-ins are welcomed. The pool is surrounded by natural wetlands teeming with wildlife – birds, deer, antelope – offering lovely views from both pool and patio. The poolside stage, within a geodesic dome, is warmed by hot springs water circulating through the stage floor, great for local live acoustic music Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights year round.

The 50-Mile Grill & Snack Bar offers organic meals using ingredients from their Garden of the Gods and small local farms and ranches, as well as Montana grass-fed beef and bison. There are eight fresh salads daily as well as grilled vegetables. The No Loose Dogs Saloon features home grown herb-iced teas, local and organic microbrews, and fine wines.

To extend the experience, there's a recently renovated campground, nine full-service RV sites and four tent sites. All campers are treated to unlimited soaking at a reduced rate.

42 Montana Highway 84, Norris, 406-685-3303, http://www.norrishotsprings.com. Open through Labor Day Thurs.-Sun. 10 AM-10 PM. Prices: $10 adults, $4 over 64, $3 under 12. Music cover $2, Music and soak $9.

JACKSON HOT SPRINGS

For an authentic western experience at a rustic hot springs hideaway, head to Jackson Hot Springs in the Big Hole Valley. Here all-things- cowboy rule: rustic wooden lodge with a not-to-be-missed fireplace, restaurant, big Western-style bar and dance hall, western-style buildings, and, of course, the hot springs pool. Outdoors enjoy fishing, hiking and horse back riding.

The outdoor pool is filled with mineral rich geothermal water, a natural flow of clear, refreshing water, from 100 to 106 degrees, from a hot springs that was one of those discovered by Lewis and Clark. Hanging lights around the pool add to the atmosphere.

There's a good range of options for overnight stays from single and double rooms to fully equipped accommodations in Jackson House, including the main house and a studio.

Hot Springs Bar & Grill is a full-service restaurant serving three meals a day and bar food is served all day.

108 Jardine Ave., Jackson, 406-834-3151, http://www.jacksonhotspringslodge.com. Pool, Bar & Grill open Thurs.-Sun. 8 AM-11 PM, Mon. 8-10 AM. Prices: $10 adult, $7 child, swim and soak included with room rates.