Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
From the cool little town of Jackson (population 105, elevation 6,407 feet), it's 25 miles
to Idaho on foot and 45 miles by car. More to the point, though, why leave? There is a
great hotel, restaurant, and hot springs complex, not to mention spectacular scenery and ter-
rain worth exploring in every direction along with fishing access. This is an outdoor lover's
paradise at any time of year.
The best place to launch an adventure—or recover from one—is the
M
Jackson Hot
Springs Lodge
(108 Jardine Ave., 406/834-3151,
www.jacksonhotsprings.com
, $126-156
fireplace cabins and suites, $30 tent site). The rooms are not fancy, by any stretch, but the
outdoor pool fed by natural hot springs is divine, and the gigantic Western bar and dance
hall are authentic and welcoming. There are often live bands, and the massive Montana-size
dance floor invites fancy footwork.
Essentially a ghost town with a surprising number of people (mostly ranchers) still in resid-
ence, Polaris (population 102, elevation 6,352 feet) was an important silver-mining center
near Grasshopper Creek as early as 1885. The smelter was destroyed in 1922, and by 1955
the only structure left standing was the
Polar Bar,
a small white cabin on the side of the
road that served up frosty beers to weary travelers.
Most people coming through Polaris today are headed for skiing at
Maverick Mountain
or soaking at
Elkhorn Hot Springs,
both worthwhile pursuits.
MM
Elkhorn Hot Springs
After a full day of skiing, there is nothing better than to submerge in naturally heated
mineral waters, and
Elkhorn Hot Springs
(Hwy. 284, 13 miles north of Hwy. 278, 800/
722-8978,
www.elkhornhotsprings.com
,
$70 rustic cabin, $90 modern cabin, $50 B&B-
style room) is just the place to do so. Set in the forest and moderately rustic (the cabins
do not have running water, and heat is provided by a fireplace or wood-burning stove),
Elkhorn Hot Springs is a playground for outdoor enthusiasts. The two outdoor pools range
102-106°F, and admission is $7 adults, $5 children; admission to the pools, sauna, and bath-
house is included with any lodging package. A restaurant on the premises serves standard
Montana fare for three meals daily in summer (breakfast for guests is a complimentary buf-
fet), and lunch and dinner Friday-Sunday in winter.
In addition to all the other amenities at this rustic resort, there is immediate access to
more than 200 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and 20 miles of cross-country ski trails.
