Chico Hot Springs Resort - Montana's Unique, Historical, Vacation Spot

Nestled at the foot of the Absaroka Range of the Rocky Mountains, not far from the North entrance to Yellowstone National Park, there's a great place to get away from it all. Chico Hot Springs Resort offers their guests a bridge linking the past to the present in a setting that can only be described as majestically pristine.

Chico Hot Springs is officially located in Pray, Montana, a place that can barely be classified a town, with a population of 85 people. Chico is about halfway between Livingston and Gardiner, Montana, which is home of the original entrance to the World's first National Park.

The natural hot water mineral springs that Chico Hot Springs was built around were first discovered toward the final days of the Civil War. In the 1870's miners and trappers would stop at the springs to launder their clothes and bathe in the healing waters. The fact that a hotel and swimming facilities were built around those hot springs in 1900 is in itself quite impressive, considering the out of the way location. In the early 1900's, Chico Warm Springs Hotel was not only a place for resting and recreating, but also developed a reputation as a health spa, widely reputed for the therapeutic properties of the mineral rich warm water that originated miles beneath the Earth's surface. Chico even had a resident Physician between the years of 1912 and 1925.

News of everything Chico offered spread throughout the nation and before long uniformed stage drivers were transporting guests from the train depot in Emigrant, just three miles away. A couple of those noted guests were President Theodore Roosevelt and artist Charles M. Russell. Today, celebrities such as Dennis Quaid, Harrison Ford, Mel Gibson and Peter Fonda might be seen kicking back at Chico.

Things at Chico Hot Springs Resort have changed significantly over the past hundred years. These days, guests arrive by private aircraft, limousines and chartered tour buses for visits that last anywhere from an afternoon to several weeks. Accommodations can be found in Chico's original main lodge, a five bedroom house, a selection of private cabins and chalets, a conventional motel and even a caboose. Room rates are available for any budget, ranging from $49 for a room in the main lodge that shares a common bath, to $345 for the Mountain View House on Dance Hall Hill. Many of the cabins and chalets are situated overlooking Chico with an unobstructed view of the mountains and Paradise Valley. Reservations are encouraged.

While soaking, swimming and sleeping were once the main draw to Chico Hot Springs Resort, the staff at Chico now offer a spectacular wine cellar to accompany world class dining. There is a casual snack bar adjacent to the swimming pools and a lounge that features live music from all genres each weekend. There's a day spa to pamper you with a massage, mud packs and saunas. If pampering is not what you're after, perhaps taking a horse for a trail ride through the surrounding mountains, or hiking trails once traveled by gold miners and Native Americans. During the winter months you can even experience what it is like mushing with a team of sled dogs.

Chico Hot Springs Resort also provides a majestic mountain setting for weddings and other gatherings. There's a convention center and staff available to host get-togethers of any size for any purpose. The convention staff offers full service catering, broadband internet service, video and audio equipment and a variety of venues that ensure there is one perfect for your needs.

Guests are also encouraged to explore some of the activities available nearby. There are guided back country treks in Yellowstone National Park, whitewater rafting in Yankee Jim Canyon, blue ribbon fly fishing in the Yellowstone River, downhill skiing, scenic airplane tours and a variety of shows and art galleries in the nearby communities

Whether you want to be pampered and spoiled, or you want to rough it and experience what life in Montana was like over a hundred years ago, Chico Hot Springs is the place that can make it happen. To get there, take U.S. Highway 89 (South from Livingston or North from Gardiner) to Emigrant and then follow the signs.