Chico Hot Springs is a resort and day spa in Pray, Montana. This sun-soaked destination is ideal for nature lovers. The building surrounds two open-air hot spring pools that are full of natural minerals. The water is geothermally heated, meaning that visitors can rest easy knowing that there are no chemicals used in the warming process. Just beyond the resort grounds are the Absaroka Mountains, the peaks of which brush against star-filled skies during the nighttime hours. Chico Hot Springs is committed to sustainable practices and promotes a culture that is environmentally friendly. If these attractors weren’t enough, this venue also holds historical importance and boasts a proud story of its own.

Facilities and Capacity

This 800-acre property is a desirable mix between rustic nostalgia and modern appeal. Chico Hot Springs Resort and Spa is recognized as a four-season destination. It features different types of overnight accommodation options as well as on-site dining. As a wedding venue, this resort is well-equipped for both indoor and outdoor occasions. There is an adjacent field with sizable gazebo anchors and mountain views where ceremonies may take place. For larger crowds and indoor functions, hosts can look to the convention center. Nestled beside the historic lodge, this room accommodates 180 guests. Smaller occasions may find a home in the wine cellar or the garden pavilion, and grand gatherings will find refuge inside canopies and tents in the lawn.

Services Offered

Both catering and planning assistance is provided for wedding events, the extent of which is dependent on the hosts’ preferences. Overnight stays can be had at the resort, meaning that all the bases are covered in one convenient location. For more information about packages and customization, couples may reach out to the venue’s event coordinator.

History

Chico Hot Springs Resort was originally opened in 1900 under the name Chico Warm Spring Hotel. In its early days, it housed miners that were seeking riches in Emigrant Gulch. As time progressed, the owners Percie and William Knowles saw the abundant potential of the property and grew it from 10 rooms to 20. Additions such as a dining room, entertainment, and a horse-drawn carriage were added, boosting the venue’s prestige. Continuous success saw 20 rooms turn into 60. After William’s passing, Percie transformed the hotel into a health spa. With the recruitment of a medical professional, Dr. Townsend, a 20-room hospital wing was added to the premises. During times of overflowing occupancy, a row of deluxe tents were set up for overnighters. After the property’s auction in 1948, it changed hands multiple times. Nowadays, the owner is Colin Davis, a committed preserver of Chico Hot Springs’ legacy.