Rose's Plunge
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Rose's Plunge is a developed hot spring listed near Hot Springs, Montana. Reported soak temperature: 105°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Current status
Tiny paid outdoor mineral pool in the town of Hot Springs, MT (Sanders County, on the Flathead Indian Reservation) — a fenced concrete soaking pool shaded by a gazebo on the old Camas Recreation Center grounds at Spring St & North Rd; ~115F sulfur spring water piped in and tempered, ~$5 honor-box entry, open sunrise to sunset; confirmed operating July 2026.
Checked July 2026 · based on recent visitor reports · 6 sources ↓
Staying overnight?
Stay in the mineral-springs town.
Hot Springs is under a mile from the spring.
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat — official site (lists Rose's Plunge 5-min walk, open-air soaking).
- Cost: Reported $5/person — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: No verified hike distance on record — confirm the route and road conditions.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 105°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; pets reported not allowed — confirm current rules.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None — pay the honor box (~$5/day).
- Best time to go: Any day — it is one of the quieter, simpler soaks in Hot Springs; mornings are typically emptiest.
- Clothing reality: Swimsuit REQUIRED — this is a clothed soaking facility, not clothing-optional.
- Cell service: ok — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: In-town site reached by a short walk on streets — one of the easiest springs to reach physically, though the pool edge/deck itself is not documented as ADA-equipped.
- HONOR-BOX ENTRY — unstaffed; bring ~$5 cash per person (all-day soaking); hours are sunrise to sunset
- Strong sulfur/'burnt' smell typical of Hot Springs water — fades from skin in ~30 min
- Source water ~115F is piped and tempered — still test before getting in
- On the Flathead Indian Reservation — operated by a Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes member; a 2023 visitor noted a 'locals only' vibe, but it is open to the public and won the Balneology Association of North America's Kathy Clark Access Award (Oct 2023)
- Basic facility — concrete pool, gazebo, small deck, no real amenities; neighboring Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat (private in-room tubs) and Big Medicine Hot Springs are within a 5-minute walk
- Address for navigation: ~240 Chisholm Rd / corner of Spring St & North Rd, Hot Springs, MT, on Hwy 28 between Plains and Flathead Lake
- Hazard: Very hot ~115F source water at the inlet — test pool temp
- Hazard: Slippery concrete when wet
About this spring
Community hot mineral plunge in Hot Springs town — a simple, cheap public soak (~103-106°F) on the same artesian aquifer as the historic resorts, next to the Recreation Center. Fee: $5/person honor box. Basic facilities; bring exact cash.
Rose's Plunge is the town of Hot Springs' most stripped-down public soak: a concrete mineral pool shaded by a wooden gazebo in a fenced corner of the old Camas Recreation Center grounds, near the corner of Spring Street and North Road. It is fed by the same geothermal aquifer — sulfurous in character — that supplies the town's other soaking venues, a tradition that began with Indigenous use of the springs and the community's early-1900s bathhouses. Entry is self-serve through an honor box, swimsuits are required, and no attendant is on site.
The pool keeps a quieter, more basic profile than Hot Springs' resort properties. In October 2023, Rose's Plunge and neighboring Big Medicine Hot Springs received the Kathy Clark Access Award from the Balneology Association of North America, recognizing the quality of the town's healing waters.
Directions & trailhead access
Corner of North Rd & Spring St, Hot Springs, MT.
Montana geothermal context
Montana's springs cluster around Yellowstone's northern margin and along basin-range faults in the western half of the state. A large share of named sites sit on private ranch land or have limited legal access, which is why status notes matter here. Cold winters and heavy spring runoff reshuffle riverside pools every year.
What a developed site means here
A developed site sits between primitive and resort: improved soaking infrastructure — built tubs, decks, stairs, sometimes changing rooms or vault toilets — often run by a land trust, nonprofit, or small operator. Expect modest fees or donation requests, posted etiquette rules, and more predictable conditions than a wild pool.
Best time to visit
Year-Round (Best: May – October)Pool temperatures and access can change with weather and season. Outdoor ambient temperatures fluctuate significantly across Montana. Late spring through autumn offers the most comfortable road access.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 105°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 105°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $5/person — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported no pets |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat — official site (lists Rose's Plunge 5-min walk, open-air soaking) |
Rose's Plunge FAQ
Is Rose's Plunge open right now?
Tiny paid outdoor mineral pool in the town of Hot Springs, MT (Sanders County, on the Flathead Indian Reservation) — a fenced concrete soaking pool shaded by a gazebo on the old Camas Recreation Center grounds at Spring St & North Rd; ~115F sulfur spring water piped in and tempered, ~$5 honor-box entry, open sunrise to sunset; confirmed operating July 2026. (Status based on recent visitor reports, last checked July 2026.)
Is Rose's Plunge free?
Rose's Plunge is listed with reported fees near Hot Springs. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Rose's Plunge?
Rose's Plunge has a reported soak temperature of 105°F and a historical source temperature of 105°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Rose's Plunge clothing optional?
Rose's Plunge is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Rose's Plunge?
Rose's Plunge is on public land — verify current road access, fees and rules with the land manager before visiting.
Where to stay in Hot Springs
Stay in the mineral-springs town. Pool access depends on the property or day-use pass you choose.
Hot Springs is under a mile from the spring.
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Daily Inter Lake / Hagadone News — 'Sacred waters: Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat' (Rose's Plunge soak photo dated July 9, 2026; $5 all-day) — news · 2026-07
- Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat — official site (lists Rose's Plunge 5-min walk, open-air soaking) — operator · 2026
- Char-Koosta News via Spot On Montana — BANA Kathy Clark Access Award to Rose's Plunge & Big Medicine — news · 2023-11
- Hotspringers.net — Rose's Plunge visit (115F source, sunrise-sunset hours, honor system) — community · 2023-08
Additional references for this record; a source link does not guarantee current conditions.
- townofhotspringsmt.com/visitors/hot-water-plunges
- www.hotspringsguides.com/hot-springs/roses-plunge-montana
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
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