Overview
Lolo is a community of about 4,400 people in northwestern Montana, about 10 mi from Missoula. It is at the eastern end of the Lolo Trail, a route through a challenging section of the Rockies used by the Nez Perce people and by Lewis and Clark, who camped here in 1805 and again in 1806. Today this route leads travellers to hot springs and untamed wilderness.
5 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lolo
Traveler's Rest State Park
A 51-acre (21-ha) park. Significant archeological findings made in 2002, including latrine sites with traces of mercury and fire hearths, make this the only site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that has yi…
Lolo Pass
Good Nordic Ski trails groomed Saturday/Sunday early mornings by the Clearwater National Forest contractor, which offer excellent classic and skating tracks. There's also a warming hut and a staffed lodge at the pass.
Lolo Hot Springs
Offers two pools fed by geothermal springs: an outdoor swimming pool and a hotter (110-116 °F) indoor soaking pool. The springs are clothing-optional after 9PM on Wednesday and Sunday nights.
Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
The springs themselves are less than a mile hike in, and are large enough to accommodate a couple of dozen people. These springs are also clothing optional. If the springs are packed, as they often are, try hiking a quar…
Weir Hot Spring
A smaller hot spring about a mile in on a narrow and hilly trail, which can be treacherously icy in the winter and spring. Although the drive is longer and the hike harder, visitors to Weir are compensated by smaller cro…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Missoula)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MSO Missoula Montana Airport, Missoula — 10 mi away. Directions
- BTM Bert Mooney Airport, Butte — 97 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 169 mi away (major hub). Directions
Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) in Missoula receives flights from Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle/Tacoma, Washington; Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona; and other cities.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Lolo Hot Springs, Traveler's Rest State Park, Lolo Pass
- Lunch Lolo Creek Steak House
- Afternoon Jerry Johnson Hot Springs, Weir Hot Spring
- Evening Lumberjack Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The area around the major city (for Montana) of Missoula is growing fast, and Lolo bears the marks of more people added quickly. It's laid back but can feel crowded in the busy summer months. The Missoula area is more liberal than the rest of the state.
The town is at the eastern end of the Lolo Trail. This historic trail, connected the Bitterroot Valley in Montana and the Weippe Prairie in Idaho. Known as naptnišaqs, or "Nez Perce Trail" in Salish, was used by Nez Perce people in the 18th century, and by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, guided by Old Toby of the Shoshone, on their westward snowbound journey in September 1805. The Lolo Trail is a National Historic Landmark, designated for its importance to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and its role in the 1877 Nez Perce War.
Get in
By plane
Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) in Missoula receives flights from Denver, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle/Tacoma, Washington; Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota; Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona; and other cities.
By car
U.S. Route 93 (US-93) travels through the town, north from Hamilton and south from Missoula.
U.S. Route 12 (US-12) intersects the town on the western side, over Lolo Pass from North Central Idaho.
Get around
It is highly recommended to have a car, though you could walk or bike through town.
See and do
Get outside and enjoy hiking, rafting, "tubing", rock climbing, skiing, fishing, or golfing. This area is known for its active lifestyle.
Do Traveler's Rest State Park
A 51-acre (21-ha) park. Significant archeological findings made in 2002, including latrine sites with traces of mercury and fire hearths, make this the only site on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail that has yielded physical proof of the explorers' presence. This spot is largely unchanged from the days of Lewis and Clark. From this location, Lewis and Clark split up to explore Montana during their return trip, not reuniting until they reached Sanish, North Dakota.
Do Lolo Pass
Good Nordic Ski trails groomed Saturday/Sunday early mornings by the Clearwater National Forest contractor, which offer excellent classic and skating tracks. There's also a warming hut and a staffed lodge at the pass.
Hot springs
Along US-12 towards Lolo Pass and into Idaho are a series of geothermal springs.
More adventurous soakers may prefer to hike out to some natural hot springs just across the Idaho border (about 50 minutes from Lolo).
Do Jerry Johnson Hot Springs
The springs themselves are less than a mile hike in, and are large enough to accommodate a couple of dozen people. These springs are also clothing optional. If the springs are packed, as they often are, try hiking a quarter-mile further down the trail to two smaller hot springs.
Do Weir Hot Spring
A smaller hot spring about a mile in on a narrow and hilly trail, which can be treacherously icy in the winter and spring. Although the drive is longer and the hike harder, visitors to Weir are compensated by smaller crowds than at Jerry Johnson. In addition, the Forest Service allows camping at Weir, unlike at Jerry Johnson.
Eat
Eat Lolo Creek Steak House
No reservations taken, open pit wood-fired grill in the dining room, deck
Drink
Drink Lolo Creek Distillery
Hand-crafted small batch spirits, buy a bottle or have a sip, fire pit and outdoor patio
Drink Lumberjack Saloon (Jack Restaurant & Saloon)
Great saloon in Lolo National Forest.
Sleep
Go next
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