Hot Springs
Hot Springs flows at 87°F in downtown Hot Springs, Fall River County, South Dakota, at 3,493 feet elevation, just 88 feet from the nearest road. Recent USGS measurements confirmed 27.4°C with neutral pH 7.2, calcium at 96.2 mg/L, and sulfate at 187 milligrams per liter. The spring runs 38 degrees above the 49.1°F ambient air temperature, providing the thermal resource that gave the town its name.
The spring emerges at the base of the southern Black Hills in the Fall River valley at 3,493 feet elevation. The area receives 20.3 inches of annual precipitation and 37.3 inches of snow, with ponderosa pine-covered hills rising above the valley floor. The water chemistry shows elevated sulfate at 187 mg/L, chloride at 96.4 mg/L, and moderate calcium and magnesium, characteristic of Black Hills thermal springs circulating through Madison Limestone aquifers. Cold Brook Campground sits 2.4 kilometers north along the valley.
Fred Evans discovered the thermal springs in 1886, leading to the founding of Hot Springs as a health resort town. By the 1890s, multiple bathhouses and sanitariums operated along the Fall River, attracting visitors seeking therapeutic benefits from the warm mineral waters. The Southern Cheyenne and Lakota peoples knew the area's thermal features as sacred healing waters long before Euro-American settlement. The town's sandstone architecture, built from local quarries, reflects the early 20th-century resort development period.
The roadside location in downtown Hot Springs provides immediate access. Multiple commercial bathhouses and spas in town utilize the thermal waters for soaking and therapeutic treatments. Cold Brook Campground, 2.4 kilometers north, offers camping with lake swimming and fishing. Spring through fall provide ideal visiting conditions. Winter snowfall averages 37 inches but town facilities remain open year-round. The 87°F temperature is comfortable for extended bathing. Numerous lodging options exist in this established resort community.
Is Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Warm-water soaking
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
The water at Hot Springs is neutral (pH 7.2). It is notably rich in magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief).
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...