Carter Bridge Warm Springs
Carter Bridge Warm Springs surfaces at 82°F in Park County, Montana, at 4,542 feet elevation. Reaching the spring requires a short walk of approximately 369 meters from the nearest road. The water runs 39°F above local ambient air temperature. No published water chemistry data is available for this spring.
The spring sits in the upper Yellowstone River corridor known as Paradise Valley, a broad glacial trough stretching between the Absaroka Range to the east and the Gallatin Range to the west. Irrigated hay meadows and cottonwood-lined river bottoms define the valley floor near the community of Carter Bridge, south of Livingston. Snowfall is substantial at 87 inches annually, with 25 inches of total precipitation. The Yellowstone River, Montana's longest undammed river, flows nearby.
The spring's name references the Carter Bridge crossing of the Yellowstone River, a historic ford and later bridge site along early travel routes through Paradise Valley. The valley served as a corridor for the Crow people and later for miners, ranchers, and the Northern Pacific Railway. Specific documentation on this warm spring's development history is sparse, though the broader valley has supported ranching since the 1860s.
Visit from late spring through early fall when the short access walk is clear of deep snow. The Paradise Valley location places the spring within 30 miles of Yellowstone National Park's north entrance at Gardiner. Trail Creek Cabin, a reservable Forest Service rental 21 km away, requires non-motorized or small-vehicle access. Livingston provides full services. Expect wind in the valley, particularly in spring and fall.
Is Carter Bridge Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Overnight camping trips
Overview Trail Creek Cabin, built in 1924, was the original ranger station for the Bozeman Ranger District. It is available year round, offering guests the chance to enjoy summer or winter recreation. The cabin is located in a remote area that is not accessible by car or truck. Guests must travel on foot, horseback, motorized vehicle (under 50”) or mountain bike. In winter, skis, snowshoes or snowmobiles may be used to reach the cabin. The best route for arriving on foot or horseback is about...