The town is aptly named after its abundance of hot mineral springs and mud baths. The local Indians and settlers believed the natural waters and hot mud had healing powers. There are three locations where you can indulge yourself and soak away your mental and physical aches and pains.
One location is at the edge of town. It was originally called Camas Hot Springs and is owned by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. The springs receive little upkeep, but they are free. This site includes two hot water plunges, each roughly three feet deep. There is also a gazebo with a shallow mud bath to soak in. The “corn hole” is a mud foot bath that is rumored to remove corns by soaking your feet for several hours in it. There are no lifeguards here and alcohol of any sort is prohibited. There is a public restroom equipped with water hoses to wash off the mud. A nearby grassy area is a good spot for picnicking or just relaxing with a good book after a soak.
If you want to move upscale a notch for your soaks, try the historic Symes Hotel in town. They have baths and a new outdoor mineral swimming pool and spa which are open to the public for a small admission charge.
Near Hot Springs off of Hwy. 28 is the Wild Horse Hot Springs. Here you can rent private rooms with plunges and steam saunas and restrooms by the hour.
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