Chico Hot Springs Resort

Open since 1900 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this resort in Paradise Valley sits on US-89 between Livingston and Gardiner — right on the Yellowstone corridor that most Montana riders travel at least once a season. The property has genuine depth: Bill and Percie Knowles built the original hotel here, and the place later served stints as a medical spa, guest ranch, and roadhouse before being restored to a working resort. The main lodge's Georgian-inspired architecture and Craftsman-style interiors have survived largely intact, which is part of why the historic designation stuck.

The draw for riders overnighting here is straightforward. Two open-air geothermal pools — fed by mineral water that emerges from the ground at around 113°F and is cooled before it reaches the pools — are available to resort guests throughout the day. Lodging ranges from rooms in the historic main lodge to private cabins. The saloon and the dining room are separate operations with different menus, so there's a practical option whether you want a full sit-down meal or something quicker after a long day on the bike.

The resort is open year-round, and being about 30 miles north of Yellowstone National Park's north entrance puts it at a useful point on the route whether you're heading into or out of the park. Reservations for lodging are recommended, particularly on weekends and during summer travel season.