Garrison Warm Springs
Garrison Warm Springs emerges at 77°F in Powell County, Montana, at 5,124 feet elevation, placing it in the warm-spring category rather than true hot spring. The water runs 36.6°F above the local annual average of 40.4°F. Access requires a short walk of about 138 meters from Warm Springs Creek Road. Land ownership and public access status are not formally documented in available records.
The spring rises in the intermountain valley between the Flint Creek Range and the Pintler Mountains, approximately midway between Deer Lodge and Drummond along the upper Clark Fork River corridor. At 5,124 feet, the landscape is open rangeland interspersed with cottonwood stands along creek bottoms. Annual precipitation is modest at 19 inches, with 62 inches of snow. Warm Springs Creek, which lends the road its name, drains the surrounding hills into the Clark Fork River to the north.
The name references the small community of Garrison, a railroad stop on the Northern Pacific line established in the 1880s. Warm and hot springs along this stretch of the Clark Fork Valley attracted early settlers and were noted in territorial geological surveys. Specific development history for this particular spring is sparse. The Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs, a few miles south, was sited partly because of nearby thermal waters. Current status appears undeveloped.
Summer and early fall provide the most comfortable conditions. The spring's 77°F temperature makes it marginal for soaking in cool weather. Warm Springs Creek Road is accessible by standard vehicle, but verify seasonal road conditions locally. No formal facilities exist at the spring itself. The nearest reservable accommodation, Doney Cabin, is over 22 km away. Bring your own water and supplies.
Is Garrison Warm Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Overview This cabin is currently undergoing some repairs and will be rented again in the near future. Recreation Facilities Natural Features Nearby Attractions