Saco Hospitality for Sale
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs is a rare, fully operational resort located in the heart of Montana's Hi-Line. Just off Highway 2 — 17 miles east of Malta and 10 miles west of Saco—this historic property blends luxurious modern amenities with rich heritage and a long-standing tradition of serving both local patrons and out-of-area travelers. As the only hot springs resort in northeastern Montana, Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs has attracted guests and mineral water enthusiasts from across the country and Canada since the 1920's. Offered as a turnkey business, the resort includes income-generating lodging, gourmet dining, event space, and mineral pools—all ready for immediate ownership and offered turn-key for uninterrupted operation.
State-of-the-Art Hot Springs Facility:
The Sleeping Buffalo Resort features a fully refurbished hot springs facility, fed by a 3,200-foot artesian well drilled in 2021 producing mineral-rich water at a consistent temperature of 106-108°F. The hot springs complex underwent an extensive renovation in 2014 and includes a 60' x 80' indoor main pool, a 10' x 30' hot tub, a cold plunge pool, sauna, and a state-of-the-art conference room. All pools use non-chlorinated, flow-through mineral water systems, delivering fresh, clear water to the pools without chemical treatment. The indoor pools are finished with tile, while the newly refurbished outdoor pool is coated with a durable Diamond Brite plaster and ArmorCoat epoxy. Added in 2025, the outdoor pool measures an impressive 128' x 60' and features underwater lighting, water features, and a hot tub, all surrounded by a spacious turf lounge.
Natural Healing Waters with Impeccable Care:
The natural artesian spring water is known for its holistic healing properties, containing key minerals such as silica, sulfates, calcium, and magnesium. A flow through filtration system, delivers new water to the main pools every 5 hours and to the hot tubs every 30 minutes. Pools are drained and cleaned regularly, and closely monitored for temperature and sanitationreflecting the current owner's commitment to a clean, high-quality experience for loyal guests.
Diverse On-Site Accommodations:
On-site accommodations include five fully refurbished cabins, three modern hotel-style rooms, and a well-maintained campground with 31 full-service RV sites, a bathhouse with restrooms and six showers, and a designated tent camping area. The guest cabins feature a luxury rustic design, blending log and stone construction for an authentic yet upscale feel. The collection includes two spacious 2-bedroom cabins and three comfortable 1-bedroom units, each with full kitchens, living areas, and ample outdoor space for family gatherings, yard games, or simply enjoying Montana's unobstructed starry night skies. While the cabins are heated with propane, all other buildings on the property are heated entirely by hot water from the artesian well, resulting in significant energy savings. For added resilience, the entire property is equipped to operate on generator power in the event of an outage, ensuring uninterrupted guest services and infrastructure protection.
Gourmet Dining and Self-Sustaining Features:
Built in 2023, 54 Prime Steakhouse brings a full-service gourmet dining experience to the property. The restaurant features a commercial-grade kitchen, in-floor radiant heating, a metal roof, hardwired security and sound systems, and a 30' x 35' outdoor patio ideal for seasonal dining. The adjoining Buffalo Saloon offers an upscale but relaxed, welcoming space for drinks and social gatherings. Much of the restaurant's produce is sourced from the on-site 30' x 96 greenhouse, while a resident flock of chickens provides a steady supply of fresh eggsreflecting the resort's holistic, self-sustaining philosophy. Included in the sale are a full liquor license (on- and off-premises), as well as gambling, catering, bingo, and tobacco licenses, all transferrable to a new owner.
Owner's Residence and Support Facilities:
The property also includes a 5,388-square-foot custom-built owner's residence, featuring radiant floor heating, a heated garage, detailed woodwork, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a concrete-encased walk-in gun safe. A 100' x 50' uninsulated shop provides additional storage, parking, or workspace. A 1,200 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2 bath manager's home is also available on the property.
Premier Location for Outdoor Recreation Sleeping Buffalo is located just across the road from Nelson Reservoiran expansive 4,100-acre lake with over 30/miles of shorelinerenowned for year-round walleye, northern pike, and perch fishing, as well as recreational boating and ice fishing. The surrounding region is a premier destination for hunters, offering abundant opportunities for upland birds, waterfowl, and big game including mule deer, whitetail, and antelope. Just a short drive away, the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge attracts birders, photographers, and outdoor enthusiasts year-round with its diverse habitats and scenic views.
Historic Significance and Community Roots:
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs has welcomed visitors for nearly a century. Originally constructed as part of the Saco Health Legion, many of the resort's original stone features were built using rock sourced from the same quarries used in constructing the Fort Peck Damone of the nation's largest New Deal infrastructure projects. During the Great Depression, the WPA and Resettlement Administration partnered with local American Legion posts in Malta, Saco, and Hinsdale to develop the resort as a public health and recreation project. The result was a facility shaped by both federal investment and community collaboration. The property's long-standing connection to Montana's heritage adds meaningful historic value to this unique offering.
Turnkey Ownership with Growth Potential:
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs & Resort is a truly one-of-a-kind offeringrich in history, regionally renowned, and thoughtfully revitalized by its current owner. With naturally flowing, chemical-free mineral pools, income-generating lodging, and a newly constructed gourmet restaurant, the resort is fully operational and ready for immediate ownership. Turnkey infrastructure, transferable licenses, and built-in sustainability make it ideal for a seamless transition, while ample room for future development presents the opportunity for increased future income potential. The sale of Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs & Resort offers a rare opportunity to own and operate one of the most iconic hot springs destinations on Montana's northern plains - stepping into a fully functioning operation with deep regional roots and substantial potential for future growth.
