Hot Springs, Hauntings, and History: Where to Play, Eat, and Stay in Southwest Montana

Southwest Montana has always been a land steeped in spirits. In the past, Indigenous tribes used the region’s many hot springs as neutral spaces for peace talks. The springs were spiritual centers with healing power. For these believers, it was the waters of the gods, a physical connection to the unseen world.

Almost everyone I met here also seemed to believe that spirits lived among them. In a place so alive and bristling with memory, it’s easy to see what drives this unified confidence. These communities were forged in a shared history passed down from pioneers or miners who set out to tame the wild. Each small town seemed to whisper still-green secrets of prospect and possibility.

These are chapters almost forgotten by time. But the land remembers every story, stitching them all together with old fence lines and mountain ranges, hot springs breathing behind crumbling cabins. The longer I stayed in this part of Montana — touring cities like Butte and Helena and what lies between them — the more I started to notice it myself. Maybe the spirits of Southwest Montana’s past never really left — maybe they were just soaking, right beside me, hidden beneath the steam.

Things to do in Southwest Montana

World Museum of Mining Tour

Butte — a city in Montana that’s known as the richest hill on Earth — is said to be a mile high and a mile deep. I was standing 100 feet beneath the surface as I toured the Orphan Girl mine below the World Museum of Mining.

Orphan Girl is a historic silver mine that operated from 1875 to 1956. As a guide covered geology, regional history, and Tommyknockers (folkloric creatures who are said to haunt the mines), we descended deeper down the shaft toward an exposed vein, a rarity on this continent. With my miner’s lamp turned off, the guide lit a candle, and orange shadows danced along the walls in a flickering halo.

“And this…” the guide said, blowing out the flame forcefully, “this is total black.” In that moment, the mine and everything inside of it it was swallowed whole by the dark.

The World of Mining Museum is open Sunday through Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM, with tours of the Orphan Girl mine running daily.

World Museum of Mining: 155 Museum Way, Butte, MT 59701

Spooks & Spirits Tours

“If I had to prove to someone that ghosts exist, this is where I’d go,” said Chris Fisk as he opened a shack door in Butte’s former shanty town. “The Cabbage Patch.”

Fisk is the owner of Spooks & Spirits and was featured on the Travel Channel’s Ghosts of Devil’s Perch. If anyone knows where to find ghosts in Butte, it’s him. Throughout the night, he took us to the haunted spots across town until we arrived at the penultimate location — the abandoned and notorious Dumas brothel. The site was operational for almost a century — from 1890 to 1982, longer than any other brothel in the US — and has since developed a reputation for the paranormal.

Standing in the main hallway of the building, Fisk shouted after me, “Keep up, Manbun,” before disappearing into the shadows. If you’re interested in haunted history, Spooks & Spirits’ guided walking tours last three hours.

Spooks & Spirits: Tours start at 21 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701

Ringing Rocks

This ordinary-looking rock pile feels like a glitch in nature. When struck with a hammer, these rocks emit harsh, bell-like notes – hidden songs coiled beneath the surface, waiting for vibration to release them.

One of only a few documented locations of this geological and sonic phenomenon in the US, this natural anomaly is found less than an hour outside of Butte on a rough section of BLM land. A 4×4-equipped vehicle and a healthy appetite for adventure are recommended. While spare hammers were there at the time of my visit, it would be a good idea to bring one along just in case.

Ringing Rocks: 45.9432599, -112.2375025

Norris Hot Springs

If you’re like me and laid-back vibes are your thing, then look no further than this historic hot spring outside of Bozeman. With live music in the geodesic dome overlooking the soaking pools on weekends, and the cafe steps away from the water, Norris feels like a real locals’ spot — a place the neighbors might come after work.

When I finished touring the beautifully maintained grounds, including greenhouses and gardens growing produce for the on-site cafe (more on that later), I took a soak in the Holy Bucket — what the owner told me was “the only wood-bucket hot springs in the country.” It turns out that a fir-planked hot spring is a charming change of pace.

For those who prefer variety, it’s worth noting that Norris has only one pool, kept at 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 106 degrees in the winter.

Norris Hot Springs: 42 MT-84, Norris, MT 59745

Montana Capitol Building Tour

If you’re under the impression that all government buildings are boring or stodgy, think again. I was shocked to discover that the Montana Capitol Building in Helena is a stunning work of art. From turn-of-the-century architecture fitted with stained glass to walls holding priceless paintings and frescoes, it’s not what I expected from the building that once held the “Cowboy Legislature” (a reference to an 1885 session of the Montana Territorial Legislature when cattlemen and ranchers pushed for laws to protect livestock interests and regulate cattle branding). However, I did note that when I was walking through the actual Senate and House Chambers, each seat in the gallery still had a cowboy hat holder beneath it.

During the legislative session, when the Montana House of Representatives and State Senate meet to debate and vote on legislative matters, the Montana Historical Society gives free tours of the Montana Capitol Building Monday through Friday.

Montana Capitol Building: 1301 E. 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601

Red Light Rendezvous Tour

Starting from Reeder’s Alley in downtown Helena — a piece of living history as one of the oldest parts of Helena and a window into the city’s early days — this walking tour gives a glimpse into the fascinating lives of Helena’s working girls. Our tour was led by a Montana and American history professor from Helena College. She took us down the roads that turned a small mining claim into a boom town, illuminating the knock-on effects that both mining and prostitution have had on this capital city today.

In addition to Red Light Rendezvous Tours, the Foundation for Montana History facilitates walking tours of Reeder’s Alley and Helena’s West Side neighborhood, as well as pub trolley tours.

Foundation for Montana History: 1750 Washington St, Helena, MT 59601

Broadwater Hot Springs

This was the liveliest, most manicured hot spring I visited in Southwest Montana. It was also one of my favorites. With its 10-minute proximity to downtown Helena — plus five geothermal mineral hot pools, two cold plunges, and a central bar with local draft beers — it’s no secret why. The atmosphere at Broadwater is energetic and community-oriented. If I were looking to loosen up and meet friends after a long day exploring downtown Helena, this is where I’d go.

Broadwater Hot Springs: 4920 US-12, Helena, MT 59601

Where to eat and drink in Southwest Montana

50 Mile Cafe

While this cafe is located at the Norris Hot Springs, don’t let the casual poolside atmosphere fool you — the fresh, local fare here is as unexpected as it is delicious. With produce grown sustainably in the greenhouses and gardens out back, this unpretentious dark horse is a farm-to-table winner. As the cafe’s name hints, almost everything found on its well-thought-out menu (like the smoked trout I ordered) is sourced from within a 50-mile radius. While the cafe is open year-round, Norris Hot Springs also has a 50 Mile Grill that’s only open on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as well as the No Loose Dogs Saloon for booze (no spirits) and bites.

50 Mile Cafe: 42 MT-84, Norris, MT 59745

Hummingbird Cafe

Hummingbird Cafe is situated in uptown Butte’s mansion district, where copper kings (industrialists who made their fortunes through copper mines during the Gilded Age) once lived. The quaint little cafe was the perfect low-key place to grab lunch. At first glance, it seemed like it might be a charming hole in the wall, but instead, Hummingbird’s organic-focused menu was fresh and light with a bold experimental flair. My steaming bowl of mushroom cashew soup can attest to that.

Hummingbird Cafe: 605 W. Park St, Butte, MT 59701

Headframe Spirits

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Just on the edge of uptown, Headframe Spirits is billed as the first legal distillery in Butte. Named after the iconic piece of mining equipment (a headframe is the structure built above an underground mine shaft) that still looms over the town’s skyline, this craft distillery offers smooth and artful libations. It’s also where some Spooks & Spirits tours begin.

Headframe Spirits: 21 S. Montana St, Butte, MT 59701

Casagranda’s Steakhouse

This family-owned steakhouse, located inside a historic warehouse building in Butte, was already buzzing when I arrived at 5:30 PM. The rustic energy here made its way onto the plate with a wide selection of steaks and, somewhat surprisingly, seafood pasta dishes like the Rajun’ Cajun Scampi. While seafood is certainly not what Montana is known for, my shrimp dish was notably delicious.

Casagranda’s Steakhouse: 801 Utah Ave, Butte, MT 59701

The Union

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This innovative restaurant in downtown Helena is owned and operated by a Montana rancher co-op with a genuine focus on regenerative agriculture, freshness, and sustainability. What this means is fantastic meat. Between the two rotating steak options on the menu – Butchers and Premium – I landed on a perfectly marbled ribeye that’s still living rent-free in my head.

The Union: 361 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601

Old Salt Outpost

Just across the street from The Union, Old Salt has more of a casual barroom feel, but it’s run by the same rancher co-op. This place likes to keep it simple (read: five options on the menu). But simple here must translate to quality, because these Montana ranchers simply know how to make a burger.

Old Salt Outpost: 406 N. Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT 59601

The Wassweiler Dinner House

If ambiance and atmosphere are the questions, The Wassweiler has the answers. Even before I tasted the restaurant’s candied thick-cut bacon, this restored 1883 inn had become my favorite restaurant in Southwest Montana. With a focus on locally sourced, meticulously prepared ingredients, the classically elegant menu has options like shrimp cocktail, brie en croute, Maple Leaf Farms duck breast, and pan-seared salmon. This dinner house is my first choice for fine dining in Helena — plus, the wine list is impressive.

The Wassweiler: 4528 US-12, Helena, MT 59601

Where to stay in Southwest Montana

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

This family-friendly resort in Anaconda (about 30 minutes northwest of Butte) is the largest hot springs resort in Montana. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. With two giant indoor pools, two giant outdoor pools, a water slide, and restaurants just off the water, it’s an impressive facility geared toward relaxation. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the Fairmont was an easy place to clear my head, sit back, and soak a while.

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort: 1500 Fairmont Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711

The Miner’s Hotel

With only 12 rooms, this boutique hotel in Butte felt like stepping back in time — in a good way. Built in 1913 as a bank and hotel for miners, the layouts of the rooms are justifiably unique (a fact I enjoyed until I needed to find the restroom in the middle of the night). But with its old-world appeal and quirky speakeasy in the basement, it’s not difficult to see why this hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Miner’s Hotel: 53 W. Park St, Butte, MT 59701

Great Northern Hotel

Officially the Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel, this hotel has an exceptional location. With its position on the northern end of downtown Helena, the entire city is just outside the doors of the hotel. If walkable access to Helena’s restaurants, museums, shops, galleries, and breweries is a top priority, then Great Northern is an easy call. Plus, they put out hot cookies in the lobby at all hours.

Great Northern Hotel: 835 Great Northern Blvd, Helena, MT 59601

Getting to and around Southwest Montana

Getting to Southwest Montana is not a problem. Helena, Bozeman, and Butte all have airports to choose from with flights from almost all major cities. If you prefer to travel by car, buckle up for an incredibly scenic road trip.

• From Salt Lake City, UT – approximately 5.5-hour drive via I-15 North, then I-90 East
• From Denver, CO – approximately 10 hours via I-25 North and I-90 West
• From Spokane, WA – approximately 4.5 hours via I-90 East

Southwest Montana covers a large area with mountains, valleys, and rivers separating stops. Once here, you’ll need a vehicle to navigate it adequately (a 4×4 with high clearance is recommended). Once in major anchor cities like Butte and Helena, their uptown and downtown areas are surprisingly walkable. I easily walked the entirety of both places while I was there. Both larger cities also have rideshare services available.