A Soak Worth the Detour

August 2026

Article by Jessica Renstrom

Photos courtesy of Yellowstone Hot Springs

Just eight miles from Yellowstone National Park's North Entrance, Yellowstone Hot Springs is a natural stop for soaking and relaxing on the way to adventure.

Their pools run on a chemical-free, flow-through system fed by natural hot springs water, cooled with well water before eventually returning to the Yellowstone River. Last fall, crews resurfaced all three pools with new tile and added more jets, along with many behind-the-scenes updates. The pool temperatures vary, so guests can choose among a cool 65° plunge, the 98.6° main pool, or the 105–106° hot pool.

Want to try all three? One popular challenge at Yellowstone Hot Springs is the Kneipp walk, a hot-and-cold therapy rooted in 500-year-old Bavarian tradition. Guests walk barefoot over river rocks, taking a few laps through alternating warm and cold water, and finish with a cold plunge. "You'll feel tingles from your toes to your nose," says General Manager Erin Kennedy. The experience can provide a real dose of stress relief for adults, and kids love the challenge, too.

The East Gate Cafe serves Montana-made bread and regionally sourced meats, a good option for refueling after a soak.

Since admission is good all day, guests can soak in the morning, explore Yellowstone, then come back for an evening dip. With four cabins, five suites, and two additional vacation homes, lodging is open year-round, and the RV park and camping are open now for the summer season.

Whether it's a stop on a road trip through the park or a weekend escape close to home, a soak here is worth the detour, a chance to slow down before or after the adventure.

Originally printed in the August 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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Jessica Renstrom

Jessica is a Billings local with a background in marketing and a degree in Communications. She loves being a mom and soaking up time with her young children, especially during the holidays! You can catch her feeling festive and listening to Christmas music basically every day in December.

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