The (Landusky) Plunge
The Landusky Plunge registers 77 degrees Fahrenheit on Turtle Mountain Off-Reservation Trust Land in Blaine County, Montana, with tribal management and unknown public access. The calcium-rich water (160 mg/L) carries 620 mg/L sulfate, among the highest sulfate concentrations in Montana's thermal springs. A 902-meter walk reaches the spring at 3,390 feet elevation.
The spring sits in the Little Rocky Mountains, an isolated mountain range rising from the northern Montana prairie at 3,390 feet. Pine-covered slopes give way to open grassland, and the Missouri River breaks country extends to the north. Annual precipitation averages just 16.7 inches with 35.9 inches of snow, and the 44.3-degree average air temperature reflects the continental climate of north-central Montana. The surrounding terrain mixes timbered coulees with exposed ridgelines and creek bottoms.
The name references Powell "Pike" Landusky, a miner and frontiersman who settled the area in the 1880s and gave his name to the nearby town of Landusky. The spring sits on Turtle Mountain Off-Reservation Trust Land, reflecting the complex land tenure of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation area. The Little Rockies saw intensive gold mining from the 1890s onward, and the Zortman-Landusky mine complex operated nearby until environmental concerns forced closure in the late 1990s.
Access requires permission from tribal authorities, as the spring sits on trust land with unknown public access status. The 902-meter walk crosses open terrain in the Little Rocky Mountains. At 77 degrees Fahrenheit, the water is tepid rather than hot. Camp Creek Campground, 11.3 kilometers away in the Little Rockies, is first-come, first-served and provides access to hiking, birding, and OHV trails. The nearby town of Zortman has a store, fuel, and a restaurant.
Is The (Landusky) Plunge worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
Camp Creek Recreation Area, located in the scenic Little Rockies, consists of Camp Creek Campground, Horse Corral Campground, and Buffington Day Use Area. A system of trails leads from the main campground, making this a popular destination for hikers, birders and OHV enthusiasts. Several small bass and trout fisheries are located within 30-minutes drives. The nearby town of Zortman offers a store, restaurant, fuel, and gold panning opportunities. This is a Watchable Wildlife area as well as a...