Is this a Big No-No When You Visit a Montana Hot Spring?

Fall is quickly fading and it's hot spring time in Montana.

Hot springs are somewhat popular year-round, but personally, I don't love sitting in a pool of hot water when it's 95 degrees outside. Maybe that's just me. But when cold raindrops start turning into snowflakes, I will soak in a steaming natural hot spring in Montana, ab-so-frickin'-lutely. A day or night at the hot springs is tough to beat.

We're blessed with many hot spring options in Big Sky Country.

Most of us are familiar with the well-known, developed hot springs in Montana. We've all been to Chico, Fairmont, Pipestone, Quinn's, or Bozeman Hot Springs. There are twenty-three commercial hot springs to ease your achy muscles in Montana, according to an excellent resource, MontanaHotSprings.net.

Want a more natural setting?

NOAA provides an interactive map of all the hot and warm springs in our state. Some are on private land, so please DO NOT TRESPASS. However, many are on publicly accessible land and provide a much more rustic setting. Typically, they're undeveloped; not much more than a hot pool along a river or stream. These are bring your own towels, wear your sturdy "river shoes" to get there, and pack it in, pack it out kind of places.

Music or peace and quiet?

To me, the answer seems obvious, but opinions were somewhat mixed on a recent post on the Montana Hot Springs Group Facebook page. A poster commented on going to a hot spring recently and having to hear some dude listening to music from his phone on speaker. Annoying, right?

She politely asked him to turn it down, which he did. But thennnn... he started watching TikTok or something, and other guests had to listen to various noises, screams, music, and commercials blaring from the guy's phone. As of 10/12, the post has racked up over 150 comments, most saying it's rude. However, I was surprised by a number of comments that thought it was ok.

One person said we all relax differently.

Valid point. Not everyone likes absolute silence or the sound of a bubbling stream to unwind. Or maybe you don't want to overhear the conversation of a drunk loudmouth or a lovey-dovey couple. For many, music helps them relax.

A number of comments basically said mind your own business, it's a free country. A lot of comments said earbuds are a much more considerate choice if you must listen to or watch media while at a hot spring. What do you think? Leave a comment on Facebook, Chat on our Mobile App, or shoot me an email. Michael.Foth@TownSquareMedia.com