Chico Hot Springs Resort, Montana

Chico Hot Springs, Pray, Montana    Hours: 9am-11pm

Cost: $12/person or free when you stay there

It's hard for me to be objective about Chico Hot Springs. Our family has been vacationing there all of my life, and we are now well into four generations of family that have visited Chico. As the story goes, my grandfather, Robert Moorhead, was a young man when he went to Chico to treat his rheumatism. That was in the 1920's or 1930's. He loved it so much that after he married my grandmother he took her there, and they continued to make that long drive while all of their kids were growing up, my mother included. Then my parents took us there all of my childhood, and my siblings and I still go back with all of our kids - in fact, we hare having a family reunion with cousins and extended family this summer in 2023!

Chico has grown into quite a complex, with many cabins, rental homes, and even covered wagons available to rent scattered in the hills surrounding the original building. Originally a hospital, the "old lodge" has hotel rooms, 2 restaurants, a saloon, and of course the pool. Your swimming is included if you stay at the lodge or other Chico accommodations, otherwise you can pay for a wristband to swim for the day. The pool is a no frills rectangular outdoor pool, with a large warm pool and a hot smaller covered pool. There is a walk-up window from the pool to the saloon, and on weekends when they have live bands you can hear the music while you soak in the hot pool. It is a fun little bar to do some cowboy dancing if you're into that :)


Our family has usually stayed at the Yellowstone KOA campground or more recently in Airbnbs. We love to take a break from swimming to eat at the Poolside Grille. We also enjoy walking around the grounds, where you can visit the trail horses, shop at the gift shop, or walk around behind the old lodge to the Chico greenhouse, where they grow fresh ingredients for the restaurant. The hot stream (my mom calls it Sugar Creek), meanders through the garden area as well, and it's fun to dip your toes in!

I think Chico Hot Springs may be due for a couple of pool upgrades (even just a cold plunge would be nice), but nothing beats it for the authentic laid-back Montana vibe, rich history, ghost stories, good food, and perfect soaking!

Chico Hot Springs website


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