Fairmont Hot Springs Resort

Two Olympic-size swimming pools (one indoor at roughly 86 F, one outdoor at the same temperature) for swimming and family aquatic recreation. Two mineral soaking pools (one indoor at 104 F, one outdoor at 104 F) for adult hot soaks. The 350-foot enclosed water slide using hot springs water connects to the outdoor swim pool and operates year-round. The combination is unusual for a hot springs resort; most operations have either a mineral-soak emphasis or an aquatic-features emphasis.

Yes, every day of the year. The water slide operates year-round, which is unusual for North American water slides (most close for winter). The flow-through model (water continuously refreshed from the 155 F source) keeps the pools clean and at consistent temperatures. The resort serves the cross-Montana driver market, the ski-trip drive market between Bridger Bowl and Lost Trail Powder Mountain, and the local Butte and Anaconda weekend market.

350 feet long, fully enclosed (covered overhead), and using hot springs water at around 90 F. The slide is the resort's signature feature and the reason families with kids choose Fairmont over the more contemplative Quinn's Hot Springs or Lolo Hot Springs. The year-round operation is the differentiator versus seasonal water slides at other Western hot springs resorts.

Day-use pool passes and overnight resort rates are published at the operator. The pricing is mid-market for Western hot springs: not budget like Bozeman Hot Springs and not luxury like Castle Hot Springs. Resort lodging is on-site; the sister Fairmont RV Resort handles RV and tent camping. Reservations are not strictly required for day use but strongly recommended for weekends and holidays.

Fourteen miles west of Butte, Montana, between Butte and Anaconda on I-90 (Exit 211). The address is 1500 Fairmont Road, Anaconda. From Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport the drive is 85 miles, 90 minutes west on I-90. From Missoula it is 100 miles, 95 minutes east on I-90. From Helena it is 80 miles south. Most travelers reach Fairmont via the I-90 cross-Montana corridor.

Very. The resort is built around family-friendly amenities including the 350-foot water slide, large shallow ends in the Olympic-size swim pools, family-tier lodging, and on-site dining. The combination of mineral soaking pools (for adults) and aquatic-park features (for kids) is the resort's commercial strength. Children's admission is discounted. The flow-through pool model keeps the water clean for kids.

Different products. Fairmont is the family-aquatic resort with two Olympic pools and the year-round 350-foot water slide, near Anaconda. Quinn's Hot Springs is the quieter Clark Fork canyon resort with seven pools and cabin lodging, three hours northwest. Fairmont wins on family aquatic features and water slide; Quinn's wins on canyon setting and adult-leaning quiet. Both run year-round.