Entry No. 55 — the Spokane file — filed under: soak
Quinn's Hot Springs (Montana day trip)
The nearest genuine soak-under-the-stars getaway from Spokane is a string of riverside mineral pools in Montana's Clark Fork canyon, about a two-hour drive east. The pools are all-natural and range from a 55-degree cold plunge to 106-degree hot soaks, terraced beside the river under dark mountain skies. Overnight lodging guests get the pools to themselves into the late evening (adults-only until 11pm), which makes staying the night the way to do it.
The story
Two hours east of Spokane, Montana Highway 200 traces the Clark Fork canyon down toward the edge of Paradise. Tucked along the water on Quinn's Canyon Road is a series of terraced, mineral-fed pools built into the canyon side, fed by natural hot springs ranging from a 55-degree cold plunge to a 106-degree hot soak.
The quiet secret here isn't just taking a soak; it's staying past dark. While day-use visitors come for scheduled swim sessions, booking an overnight cabin unlocks late-evening pool access. After the day crowd leaves, lodging guests get the riverside pools to themselves under dark canyon skies—including an adults-only soaking period that runs until 11 p.m.
What it's like
You'll pull into the resort complex right along the Clark Fork River. If you're coming for day swimming, do not just drive out on a whim: day-use swim sessions require an advance reservation and ticket online. The routine is simple: soak in the 106-degree pool until your pulse races, drop into the 55-degree cold plunge, and repeat. The absolute best move is booking a room or cabin so you can wander out after 10 p.m. when the canyon gets quiet, the river rushes past in the dark, and you can watch for shooting stars over the canyon rim.
The move: Book a cabin, soak in the hottest riverside pool after 10pm, and watch for shooting stars over the canyon rim.
- 📍 Paradise, Montana
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Low-key
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 190 Quinns Canyon Rd, Paradise, MT 59856
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- Spokane Astronomical Society Star Parties at Fishtrap — If dark-sky soaking in the Montana canyon gets you hooked on stargazing, take a weekend trip out to Fishtrap to look through massive amateur telescopes.
- Spokane Riverkeeper Full Moon BYO-Boat Paddle — Swap the warm mineral pools of the Clark Fork for a cool full-moon float down the Spokane River back home.
- Steptoe Butte — Pair your canyon night-sky soaking with a drive up this quartzite peak for an open view across the dark Palouse.
Good to know
How far is Quinn's Hot Springs from Spokane?
It is roughly a two-hour drive east from Spokane, heading into Montana toward Paradise along the Clark Fork canyon.
Can I visit Quinn's Hot Springs as a day trip without staying overnight?
Yes, but you must reserve your swim session online ahead of time. Day-use passes require advance booking.
What are the pool temperatures at Quinn's?
The all-natural mineral pools vary in temperature, starting at a 55-degree cold plunge and ramping up to hot soaks reaching 106 degrees.
What is the advantage of staying overnight?
Overnight guests get extended access to the pools into the late evening, including adults-only soaking until 11 p.m. after day-use visitors have left.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitmt.com · Yelp · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-24