Entry No. 42 — the Helena file — filed under: soak
Broadwater Hot Springs night soak
Ten minutes west of downtown Helena on US-12, Broadwater is a geothermal mineral hot-spring complex with hot soaking pools, cold plunges, a sauna, and a steam room (the larger recreation pool is currently closed). It stays open late, until 10:30 PM most nights and 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, so you can sink into a hot pool as darkness settles over the Helena Valley and watch steam curl up while the first stars appear. There's a full restaurant and bar on site, The Springs Taproom & Grill, with poolside beverage service and live music every Thursday.
The story
Most people passing through Helena figure natural geothermal baths require a half-day trek deep into the backcountry. Broadwater sits barely four miles west of downtown, right off US-12. It pulls naturally heated mineral water directly from the ground into a setup of hot soaking pools, cold plunge tubs, a sauna, and a steam room.
While locals use the facility during daylight for fitness, the mood shifts entirely once the sun drops behind the Helena Valley. The spring stays open late—until 10:30 PM most nights and 11:30 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Cold mountain air hits the surface of the water, creating thick banks of steam that rise into the Big Sky night while stars start appearing overhead.
The real kicker is the setup at the edge of the water. The Springs Taproom & Grill operates on site, offering poolside drink service. You can sink neck-deep in 100-degree mineral water, call over a drink, and sit in the dark watching steam curl into the darkness.
What it's like
Pull off Highway 12 into the dark parking lot, grab your towel, and head straight for the mineral pools. While the larger recreation pool is currently closed, the hot soaking tubs, cold plunges, sauna, and steam room are fully open. Aim for a weeknight around 8:00 PM to dodge peak crowds—or show up on a Thursday evening if you want live music playing while you soak. Order a cold drink straight to the pool edge from The Springs Taproom, claim a corner of the hot pool, and let the thermal water do the work.
The move: Show up on a weeknight around 8 PM, claim a quiet corner of the hot pool, and watch the steam rise against the night sky with a drink delivered poolside.
- 📍 Helena (west of downtown on US-12)
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 4920 W US Hwy 12, Helena, MT 59601
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts — Explore the scattered outdoor sculptures at this historic 26-acre brickyard residency before heading west on US-12 for an late soak.
- Devil's Kitchen Cave, Mount Helena City Park — Hike up Mount Helena to inspect the limestone cave by daylight, then soak your legs in geothermal mineral waters afterwards.
- The Rock Room — Browse the crystal collection at this offbeat shop on Euclid Avenue on your way out toward the hot springs.
- Reeder's Alley Summer Series & Night Market — Stroll through the 1870s miner's tenements at the base of Mount Helena before slipping out of downtown for a late-night pool session.
Good to know
How late is Broadwater Hot Springs open for a night soak?
It stays open until 10:30 PM from Sunday through Thursday, and until 11:30 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Can you get food and drinks served poolside?
Yes. The Springs Taproom & Grill is located on site and provides poolside beverage service directly to the hot spring soaking area.
How far is Broadwater from downtown Helena?
It is about four miles (a ten-minute drive) west of downtown Helena on US-12 / Euclid Avenue.
Are all the pools at the complex currently open?
The hot mineral soaking pools, cold plunges, steam room, and sauna are open, but the larger recreation pool is currently closed.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Tripadvisor
last checked: 2026-06-24