Jackson & Elkhorn Hot Springs: What's cool about hot springs?
adventurous, family traveler, believe in treating myself, interested in history, loving outside play time
| Pros |
|
| Cons |
|
AUG
26
2008
Comparing Two Hot Springs in Montana
Hot Springs. Just the simple words sound visceral don’t they? My family recently had the joy of checking out two different hot springs located in South Western Montana.
First of all, I’ll say that the drive to either of these hot springs in Montana is a treat. You’ll enjoy the panoramic views of the Continental Divide. It’s one of those experiences where getting there is half the fun.
I must admit that I had more earthy pictures in mind of the hot springs. After all, they are documented in the travels of Lewis and Clark as “the boiling hot springs.”
When we arrived at the hot springs in Jackson, we were actually confused. Were THE hot springs located in the Jackson Hot Springs Lodge? You betcha. We parked on the street, which was quite easy in this sleepy town. We walked into a large room complete with an arsenal of antlers and a pool table and learned that as walk-ins who were not guest of the lodge, our family could soak in the hot springs, discovered over two hundred years ago, for a mere $10.00. My husband and I were five bucks each and our kids were free. My daughter and I headed up and way right to an antiquidated dressing room to ready ourselves for this spiritual experience. You’ll see that I vacillate between wanting the hot springs to be primaly earthy while still looking for modern dressing room comforts. The truth was somewhere in between on both counts.
Once “outside” I found the boiling hot springs to resemble a pool albeit with a simple mortar foundation. The three sides were given privacy by wooden rustic walls which left me craving the views I knew were out there. Once inside the hot springs though I must say I came to appreciate this marvel, despite its’ modern and yet not so modern, appearances. At 101 degrees, with lots of room for tranquil moments, I finally said “aaahhh.” This is nice. Despite the walls, I was able to enjoy the afternoon view of the half moon and the waters of the hot springs offered the amazing warmth of a hot tub without the confinement and the room of a large pool without the chemical smell. Refreshing isn’t quite a strong enough word. Maybe healing is a bit strong. Maybe that is only because I came there feeling quite healthy. Other folks we met claimed to have come for and erased a myriad of ailments in these waters. Either way it was an enjoyable, relaxing swim and soak.
Although, we had brought our own, we did notice a basket of fresh towels available for use had we been on an impromptu visit. After a long soak, we headed to restaurant for a late lunch. While the menu seemed limited, I will vouch that everything on it was exceptional. More than one might expect from a restaurant where the table runners were made from creatures than once ran. Maybe that is just me. But the food was really quite good.
Only about 30 minutes away, we hit the Elkhorn Hot Springs. Within view of the Magic Mountain Ski slopes, the Elkhorn Hot Springs have their own idiosyncrasies and benefits. At the Elk Horn Hot Springs, where you can lodge in cabins, our family of four was charged a bit more. It was $6.00 per adult and $4.00 each for our kids for a total of $20.00. Had we not dried our towels in the sun on our vehicle like complete country bumpkins, fresh towels would have been available for $1.00 per person.
The Elkhorn Hot Springs scored immediately for renovated women’s dressing/bathrooms with both space and function compared to the Jackson Hot Springs. Once we joined the guys outside, I had two contradictory thoughts. The first was that there were no walls and the accessible scenery of Aspens, Pines, wildflowers and a creek was a more scenic. On the other hand, the pale blue painted walls of the pools just made the whole thing a bit more like a “pool” experience for me. Although again I say the warmth, without the chemical smell, was luxurious. Do I need to say this again? I suppose it easier to describe the outside than inside of a soak in a hot spring. Like anything in life, I guess it is what you make of it. But I for one got my monies worth basking.
The Elkhorn Hot Springs did offer both a grill and close by restaurant, but we were not consumers at this point. I must say that I saw some awesome looking ice-cream cones from strawberry cream to mocha moose that looked great.
In conclusion, if you’re in South Western Montana, either of these, the Jackson Hot Springs or the Elkhorn Hot Springs are worth of a comforting dip. Neither may be exactly what you imagined but either is worth treating yourself to a warm soak. Despite what man has or hasn’t done around them, you’ll enjoy the feeling of the hot springs discovered hundreds of years ago.
I would enjoy either again, but I suppose if I had to choose, I would go to the Jackson Hot Springs. Perhaps some of the amenities, as far as scenery or dressing rooms scores lower but I just preferred the “feel” of the Jackson Hot Springs. They also had lounge chairs, as opposed to benches, to enjoy moments out of the hot springs which could be important since there appeared to be no time limit barring closing for either of these hot springs.
Well, I feel better just talking about these hot springs, don’t you?
Jackson Hot Springs & Elkhorn Hot Springs is recommended by awlafon
Comments about awlafon’s Review
More reviews by awlafon
Black & Decker TRO651 Toast-R-Oven Toaster Oven Review - "Black & Decker...
Kenmore Undercounter Ice Maker Refrigerator Review - "Kenmore...
Avon Foot Works Pedi Peel Review - "Avon Foot Works Pedi Peel: helpful if...Dk Publishing - Mom And Me Cookbook Review - "Mom and Me Cookbook: Great...
