Alameda's Hot Springs Retreat

We stayed three nights in cabbage 16 on the way to Whitefish, and the room was great, especially the indoor hot mineral tub. What really impressed me, though, was how the staff handled my bag. I left it behind when we headed out, and our car was so packed that I didn’t realize for two days. I left a message after hours, then got a call the next morning saying they had found it. My two Patagonia jackets, gloves, cap, ski shirt, and all the other items were still there. It’s good to see people treat someone else’s belongings with such respect. I highly recommend this hot spring as a spot away from the usual route.

It was lovely to soak in my own private bathtub. The rooms were clean, and the staff were really courteous and attentive. Alameda's Hot Springs made for a welcome getaway.

I’ve stayed at this quiet motel for years in a row, and I think it’s better than the Symes. Room 16 has a bed, couch, kitchen, tub, and shower. The layout is odd, but it works. You can walk into town, and there are other hot springs nearby if you don’t want to use the motel’s, which cost extra with the room.

I come here to unwind and recharge, and I can’t recommend it enough. The vibe is friendly and peaceful, and the mineral water feels more healing to me than any of the 30-plus hot springs I’ve explored so far. I first visited last fall, in 2024, on a three-week road trip with my best girlfriend through CO, ID, WA, MT, and WY. We’d already seen more than 15 hot springs in CO and NM and wanted to find more. The other places we drove past in Hot Springs were too loud, with kids running around, which wasn’t what we wanted. Alamedas Hot Springs felt like an oasis of calm. It was built in the 1930s, and they’ve kept the property and rooms’ vintage feel. It sits over a hot spring aquifer, and the mineral-rich water comes right from the faucet, so you can fill your own room or cabin tub with it. Locals told me doctors in the 1930s advised patients to soak here twice a day for 1-2 weeks and drink the water to help with many ailments. It has a strong sulfur smell, which points to its high mineral content. I didn’t like the taste at first, but after I let a pitcher sit overnight, the water tasted delicious the next morning. After a week of drinking and soaking, my arthritis and carpal tunnel pain went away. For a bigger soak, Big Medicine is the communal hot springs pool on the reservation, a block away and $5. Native tribes have visited it for thousands of years for the water’s healing abilities. It’s rustic, but always clean, with fresh flowing water that’s delightfully hot. There’s also an amazing organic market in town called Camas, with the best gluten-free desserts and sandwiches I’ve ever had. I’ve been back several times and am here again now for a free Thanksgiving dinner included with the stay. I’ll return next month too, since Blacktail ski area is just an hour and 25 minutes away. It’s a treat to ski all day, then come back to a private mineral bath for sore muscles. From spring through fall, they also have outdoor private soaking areas. I love that I can bring my dog for a small fee.