Hot Brook Springs
Hot Brook Springs flows at 75°F at 3,625 feet elevation near Hot Springs, South Dakota, running 26 degrees above the 49.1°F ambient air temperature. Recent USGS measurements confirmed 23.6°C with pH 7.5 and total dissolved solids at 398 milligrams per liter. The spring sits 349 feet from the nearest road, requiring a short walk in the southern Black Hills foothills.
The spring emerges in the ponderosa pine and grassland transition zone at 3,625 feet on the southern flanks of the Black Hills. The area receives 20.3 inches of annual precipitation and 37.3 inches of snow, with Cold Brook Lake and campground just 1.7 kilometers distant. The water chemistry shows calcium at 69.2 mg/L, magnesium at 25.7 mg/L, sodium at 37.1 mg/L, sulfate at 68.9 mg/L, and chloride at 44.7 mg/L, with zero detectable iron. The limestone-derived minerals create the neutral to slightly alkaline chemistry characteristic of Black Hills thermal springs.
The spring shares its name with the nearby town of Hot Springs, established in 1886 when Fred Evans discovered the area's thermal waters. The town developed into a health resort destination by the 1890s, attracting visitors seeking therapeutic benefits from the warm mineral springs. The Southern Cheyenne and Lakota peoples recognized the area's thermal features long before Euro-American settlement. Cold Brook Campground, one mile north of town, sits in what was once part of the Wind Cave National Forest before modern administrative reorganization.
Cold Brook Campground offers convenient base facilities 1.7 kilometers away with swimming, fishing, and reservable sites. Spring through fall provide optimal visiting conditions when roads remain clear and temperatures are comfortable. Winter brings significant snowfall that can limit access at this elevation. The 75°F water temperature is cool for bathing but pleasant in warm weather. Verify current access status and land ownership before visiting, as proximity to both town and campground suggests potential mixed public-private jurisdiction.
Is Hot Brook Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Hot Brook Springs is slightly alkaline (pH 7.5) with 398 mg/L total dissolved solids.
Overview Located less than 1 mile north of Hot Springs, South Dakota sits one of the area's most perferred campgrounds. At the south end of Cold Brook Campground sits Cold Brook Lake, a popular destination for those looking to take a swim at the beach, snorkel in the crystal clear water or wet a line while trying to catch a variety of fish species. At the north end of the campground sits a wildlife area with a two-track trail that is good for a morning stroll or a short bike ride with the pos...