Homegrown treasure open to local soakers & music lovers
Norris Hot Springs has been a valued resource to soakers for a long time. The indigenous people of the area likely used the natural artesian hot springs for bathing and healing. Early miners and settlers poured into the area in the mid-to-late 1800s in search of gold and found another treasure in the natural, thermal artesian water. Miners built up the site by creating a fir-planked pool directly over the bubbling springs. Most of the know-how needed to engineer the pool were skills the miners used regularly in their lode mining operations. The simplicity and elegance of the miner’s original design is still in use by Norris staff today! The bottom of the pool slopes into the far corner of the pool, where a large ball valve is opened and closed with a T-bar to drain and fill the pool.
The accomplished Hot Springs staff are no longer required to have a background in mining, but they do have to have a lot of grit, skill and determination to keep the springs functional in the modern era. The staff face the challenges of wind and weather throughout the winter months to make the soaking experience seamless.
Year-round, the pool gets drained nightly and refilled daily. Each staff member learns how to crank the T-bar to open and close the ball valve. The springs flow at a rate of 80 gallons per minute and add pure, thermal water continuously even when the pool is full.
This is the reason that no chemicals need to be added. The pool holds 38,000 gallons of water which gets refreshed completely over an 8-hour period. On Tuesdays, the pool is kept empty so that the amazing Annie of the North can pressure wash every inch of the wood-lined pool, surrounding sidewalks and dressing rooms.
The thermal artesian well water comes into the pool at scalding temperatures. The staff regulate the sprayers which use hot springs water to cool the pool to safe and comfortable soaking temperatures. Wind, precipitation and ambient air temperatures all have to be factored in to the sprayer settings to create the Norris Hot Springs experience. The staff make the a complicated process appear simple.
Norris staff members have to be hard-working, skilled, determined, patient and creative to meet the myriad demands of the day-to-day operations of this unique, Montana experience. Don’t forget to give them some love next time you come out for a soak.
Not only do the staff keep the pool clean, functioning and temperature controlled, they also serve up some mighty fine food and drink. The 50-Mile Snack Bar offers delicious, local, organic food options during all hours of operation. All food items are available to go. You can even call in your order if you’re just passing through. The No Loose Dogs Saloon pours local, craft beers along with a lovely selection of wine, and hot-mulled cider. Non-alcoholic beverages and house-made chai are also available.
The Norris Hot Springs staff dial in, organize and promote the weekly “Live from the Dome” music and do whatever it takes to keep the tunes live every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at 7pm. Local, regional and national musicians share their gifts from the poolside stage. Here’s the upcoming music lineup.
Tom Kirwan opens the month on Saturday, February 1st. He performs a blend of folk country and Americana. Tom’s songs evoke nostalgia of long-ago dreams and people, while weaving stories of human longing both past and present.
Todd Green entertains on Sunday, February 2nd. Known for his acoustic light rock musical style and passion for vinyl records, Green has lived in the area for more than thirty years. Expect to hear 60s to 80s rock classics including favorites from America, The Eagles to David Bowie, Pink Floyd and everything in between.
On Friday, February 7th, enjoy the musical stylings of Neil Filo Beddow. He plays original folk rock for the soul, and describes his guitar style as the “West Dakota stutter.” His lyrically scrambled iambic pentameter can be politically bent, spiritually seeking, and tongue-in-cheek humorous with just a twist of serious.
Restless Pines follow on Saturday, February 8th. The guitar and violin folk duo composed of Chad Ball and Sarah Crossman play original folk/roots and Americana music. The pair have played together in the Red Mountain Band for the last few years.
Lang Termes provides the tunes on Sunday, February 9th. His vocal style ranges from mellow folk ballads to growling boogie blues. His style of songwriting – both original music and lyrics – comes deep from the heart, or in some cases, bubbles up from his whimsical sense of irony. Lang’s selection of covers ranges from early country blues to the full gamut of contemporary classics. A few of his biggest influences include Muddy Waters, Woody Guthrie, Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder, and Townes Van Zandt.
Albuquerque-based acoustic rocker Benny Bassett kicks off the following weekend on Friday, February 14th. The former frontman of Chicago group Vintage Blue comes to Southwest Montana with selections from his latest EP, Words for Yesterday. The collection examines missed moments in our lives, times we wish we could have said or done something differently. The songs are honest, engaging and well-crafted.
Kristin Lundell takes the stage Saturday, February 15th. The local singer/songwriter and guitarist performs catchy, melodic rock originals inspired by the likes of Veruca Salt, Juliana Hatfield, and The Beatles. She’ll also have the audience singing along as she puts her spin on hits that span the decades.
Aaron Banfield is set for Sunday, February 16th. Featured in a wide array of local bands like Cole & the Thornes, PermaFunk and King Ropes, he plays a little bit of everything, from folk to rock. Banfield combines his amazing guitar skills with some impressive vocals for the enjoyment of every audience. He’ll bring a fun, relaxing show to the hot springs.
Next time you go out to Norris Hot Springs, take a look around and see if you can spot the original mining influences blended with the modern accoutrements. For operating hours, menus and the complete music calendar, visit www.norrishotsprings.com. Follow on Facebook and Instagram (@NorrisHotSprings). •