Montana

Chico Hot Springs: FOWC

/ SoyBend / 11 Comments

We visited Chico Hot Springs in southwestern Montana in early June 2024. The Chico Hot Springs Resort is located near Pray, Montana. It opened in 1900 and became a popular destination for those looking for a place to rest and relax. Prior to that time, miners used the springs as early as 1865. Historically, the springs have been in use by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.

The size and shape of the pools have changed over time. There is currently a large rectangular pool with a smaller one next to it that has hotter water.

Chico Hot Springs

The temperature of the large pool averages 96 degrees Fahrenheit. The smaller pool averages 103 degrees.

Chico Hot Springs

At one time, there was a roof over the pool. It collapsed in 1957, injuring 70 people, and was never replaced. The open air pools give you great views of the nearby landscape.

resort in Montana

The buildings surrounding the pool reflect the history of this attraction. There is a bathhouse on one side and a small cafe on the other. There is also a dining room, a saloon, and a tasting room at the resort.

The Chico Hot Springs Resort is on the National Register of Historic Places. If you want to stay here, there are several lodging options, including a main lodge, cabins, chalets, houses, Conestoga covered wagons, and a railroad caboose. Chico offers recreational opportunities on site and off including horseback riding, fishing, disc golf, biking, and hiking.

Poolside Grille

Chico Hot Springs signs & murals

The thing I liked best about this place were the signs and murals near the pools. The sign by the small pool looked like it could have been there for decades.

Chico Hot Springs sign

A more modern mural was near the other end of main pool. This great landscape painting featured lots of local critters.

The funniest sign was on another wall. It read, “Welcome to Chico ool: You notice the P is missing. We would like to keep it that way!” It’s a friendly reminder to relieve yourself in a restroom; not in the pool. 😀

Chico Hot Springs sign

Additional info

The pools are open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm daily for resort guests. If you aren’t staying at the resort, you can visit from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Admission for guests ranges from $8.00 to $14.00.

As I mentioned, this is an historic resort. When we visited in 2024, the changing rooms could have used a little TLC. Door latches on the bathrooms and changing rooms were broken. The showers only had cold water and visitors were shrieking when they turned on the water. It was painfully cold after getting out of the hot springs. For people like us who were camping elsewhere and stopped here for a quick dip, a hot shower afterwards would have been great. Ironically, this facility sits atop the most geothermally active place on Earth. 🤭

I had one other pet peeve about this facility. Kids were jumping onto oversize inflatables from the side of the pool. Not only was that activity unsafe, it also affected the serenity of the setting. This is just my opinion as a former lifeguard.

We visited Chico Hot Springs as part of our Hot Springs of the West tour. There are lots of developed and undeveloped hot springs in this part of the country.

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC) – Relax

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Bozeman Hot Springs: LAPC & FOWC

/ SoyBend / 22 Comments

In June 2024, we visited hot springs in three western states, and Bozeman Hot Springs in Montana was our favorite. The modern rustic design is beautiful inside and out. We arrived early in the day, and it was peaceful and serene.

There are 12 pools at Bozeman Hot Springs. Water temperature ranges between 57 to 106 degrees Fahrenheit.

Outdoor pools at Bozeman Hot Springs

Outside, two curving pools flank the stage with another one in front. I like how they incorporated big angular boulders into the landscaping.

Bozeman hot springs

The curving outdoor pools include Big Pool, Kiddie Pool, and Middle Pool.

Springs

There is a large rectangular pool nearby.

pool

This is Springs Pool.

Bozeman Hot Springs

Indoor pools at Bozeman Hot Springs

Inside, three smaller pools are at one end of a large pool and four are at the other. This picture shows Upper Left Hot Tub, Upper Cold Plunge, and Upper Right Hot Tub.

indoor hot pools

I zoomed in a bit to show you the seals spouting cold water. They were a nice whimsical detail.

seal water fountains

The large indoor pool is known as Big Pool, appropriately. I liked being able to do some swimming here between time spent in the other pools.

Bozeman Hot Springs

At the other end of Big Pool, you’ll find Kiddie Pool, Adult Hot Tub, Lower Cold Pool, and Lower Right Hot Tub. Note that Adult Hot Tub has the hottest temperature of any of the pools.

hot and cold pools

This sign shows the current temperature of the outdoor pools. The temperature fluctuates throughout the day.

temperature of pools

History

Jeremiah Mathews originally purchased the springs in 1879. He built five private bathing rooms and a 14 foot by 18 foot plunge bath. In 1890, E. Myron Ferris purchased the springs and built a two-story motel, plunge bath and private baths. The springs supposedly treat several kinds of ailments. After World War I, the parcel containing the springs was raffled off. In the early 1920s, Sam Collett purchased the springs. His renovations included a dance hall. Later, it was turned into a roller skating rink.

When we were there in June 2024, they were putting the finishing touches on the latest renovations. Robyn Duffy-Carlson and her late husband, Tom Duffy, bought the property in 2013. Since then, they have added three outdoor pools, a live music stage, and a business hub. The most recent renovations included redoing the locker rooms.

Bozeman Hot Springs

Other amenities

This facility also includes several other amenities. There is a fitness center that opened in 2010. It offers classes and personal trainers. Accommodations at Bozeman Hot Springs include RV camping sites, tent sites, and one-room and two-room cabins. For a list of upcoming events there, see this page.

A cafe provides comfortable seating next to striking artwork.

Bozeman Wall Art

There is more seating nearby.

Indoor seating

Things that made this hot spring stand out for me were the overall design, the number and type of pools, and the restrooms. Everything was clean and inviting. The pools include cold pools if you want to cool off after being in a hot one. The restrooms had nice showers, changing rooms, and lockers.

The restrooms had something else… hot water! A couple of the other commercial hot springs we visited did not have hot showers, even though they are built atop one of the most geologically hot places on earth.

Bozeman Hot Springs

If you’re looking for a great place for rest and relaxation, be sure to visit Bozeman Hot Springs.

Lens-Artists Photo Challenge (LAPC) – Serenity

Fandango’s One Word Challenge (FOWC) – Visit

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Neptune’s Taphouse & Eatery mural: Monday Murals

/ SoyBend / 4 Comments

This colorful Neptune’s Taphouse & Eatery mural is unique. It’s painted on slats of wood on a room divider. This restaurant, located in Livingston, Montana, has an ocean theme.

Neptune's Taphouse & Eatery

Livingston is a long way from the ocean, but Neptune’s Taphouse serves several dishes that include fish and shellfish. It has an extensive sushi menu. The menu also includes dishes with mussels, clams, scallops, crab, shrimp, tuna, salmon, and cod.

Monday Murals

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Magpie silkscreen & photos: First Friday Art

/ SoyBend / 1 Comment

Today I’m sharing a magpie silkscreen image I created with blue ink. One of the things I like about Black-billed Magpies is their contrasting black and white plumage. There are a lot of birds that are showier than magpies, but their simple markings make them a good subject for art.

Magpie silkscreen

Though I’ve only created one magpie silkscreen, I’ve done several paintings and drawings of this bird in the past. Here’s a magpie I painted as part of a mural on my studio/guesthouse.

Black-billed magpie Siobhan Sullivan August 2020

Here’s a photo of a magpie perched on a fence in Bozeman, Montana. They are year-round residents in much of western and central North America.

Black-billed Magpies are omnivores that feed on a wide variety of plants, insects, birds, and small mammals. They are also opportunistic feeders. Here’s a picture of a couple magpies trying to get a bite of a rabbit a Red-tailed Hawk was feeding on.

hawk with prey and magpies

The scientific name of Black-billed Magpies is Pica hudsonia. When people have compulsive cravings to eat things with little to no nutritional value, it’s referred to as a ‘pica disorder.’ This temporary disorder is most common among children and pregnant women.

Do you have artwork you would like to share? Be sure to include the First Friday Art tag.

First Friday Art (FFA)

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Silent scene: LAPC

/ SoyBend / 25 Comments

In a silent scene, filtered light illuminates deserted dwellings

Silent scene

Gentle ripples trail an American Avocet quietly striding across a wetland

American Avocet

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Livingston Montana: Monochrome Monday

/ SoyBend / 5 Comments

While visiting Livingston Montana last summer, I was impressed by the well-preserved downtown buildings. Livingston, founded in 1882, currently has a population of about 8,000. This town was established while construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad was making its way westward.

Livingston Montana

To learn more about the historic downtown, consider going on a walking tour. This site gives more information on 22 historical locations in Livingston Montana.

downtown view

Monochrome Monday

Bozeman wall art: 1-to-3 Photo Challenge

/ SoyBend / 9 Comments

I really liked this Bozeman wall art at the recently remodeled Bozeman Hot Springs. The facility was remodeled with a more modern style. I mention this site briefly in a recent post and will feature it in a more detailed post in the future.

I used Corel PaintShopPro 2021 for different photo processing effects. In the original image I slightly increased the contrast and fill light and cropped the edges. Use the slider to view each effect compared to the original.

This one shows the original photograph and the same picture with a Retro effect. For this image I went to Effects>Photo Effects>Retro Lab>Light cold. I liked how this effect makes the green color stand out. The blurring around the edges focuses your attention on the artwork.

Bozeman Wall ArtCold filter

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Yellowstone Hot Springs-A great escape!: LAPC

/ SoyBend / 12 Comments

On our recent visit to Yellowstone National Park, we took a side trip to Yellowstone Hot Springs. This attraction is located in Gardiner, Montana, about ten minutes north of the park.

Yellowstone Hot Springs

An interesting history

In the last 100+ years, this site has passed through many hands. In 1899, French-Canadian immigrant, Julius LaDuke, staked a mining claim here and discovered it contained hot springs. He created LaDuke Hot Springs Resort to serve miners and visitors to the area. The resort included a large plunge bath and several smaller private baths. A two-story hotel was built nearby. LaDuke entered into a short-lived purchase agreement with William F. Cogswell. This was one of many setbacks in his life.

Visitors traveled by coach to Electric, later known as Aldridge, and then had to cross the 150-foot wide river to the springs. LaDuke employed barges, then a cable ferry, then a ferryboat, and finally a swinging footbridge for his guests.

Guests rumored to have visited LaDuke Hot Springs Resort include President Theodore Roosevelt and famous frontierswoman, Calamity Jane.

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