Bearmouth Warm Spring 1
Bearmouth Warm Spring 1 surfaces at 68°F directly beside a road in Granite County, Montana, at 3,807 feet elevation. With only 12 meters separating it from pavement, this is a true roadside thermal feature. The water runs 23 degrees above the local annual air temperature of 45°F, placing it at the low end of the warm-spring classification.
The spring sits in the Clark Fork River valley near the historic Bearmouth townsite, where Interstate 90 parallels the river corridor through a narrow, semi-arid canyon. Slopes above the valley floor carry ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, while the bottomlands support cottonwood and willow. Granite County receives modest precipitation -- about 21 inches annually -- and nearly 65 inches of snow. The surrounding terrain is characterized by exposed metamorphic and granitic rock formations typical of western Montana's fold-and-thrust belt.
Bearmouth takes its name from a nearby geographic feature along the Clark Fork River. The townsite served as a stop along the Northern Pacific Railway in the late 19th century. Little documented history exists for the spring itself; it appears in the 1980 NOAA/NCEI thermal inventory without reference to prior development. No commercial bathing facility has operated here. The spring remains undeveloped and without posted ownership or access restrictions in available records.
The spring is accessible year-round thanks to its roadside location and proximity to Interstate 90. No hiking is required. Douglas Creek Cabin, the nearest reservable accommodation, lies 28 km away in a remote section of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and requires weather-dependent road access. Visitors should note the water temperature is cool enough for wading but not for a traditional hot soak. Bring layers -- valley winds can be sharp even in summer.
Is Bearmouth Warm Spring 1 worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Douglas Creek Cabin offers a great way to access the various seasonal activities available in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest in western Montana. While hunting enthusiasts enjoy the cabin during bow and rifle seasons, it is popular for snowmobiling or cross-country skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. The cabin is in a very remote location, giving anyone an outdoor recreational experience they will never forget.Access to the cabin is limited by weather conditions....