International spa and wellness consultancy Blu Spas is working on a project to develop a resort in Paradise Valley in Montana, close to Yellowstone National Park.

The site is being developed at the Yellowstone Hot Springs, near the national park’s northern access, and is in the same location where the LaDuke Hot Springs and Corwin Hot Springs were popular resort and bathing destinations more than a century ago.

International hot springs and water experts are already working on the project, and Cary Collier, principal at Blu Spas, said an analysis of the waters shows they are comparable to the waters in the iconic spa town of Baden Baden, Germany.

“The Yellowstone hot springs water has gone through extensive testing and analysis over the years and has, in fact, been compared to the waters at Baden-Baden in Germany,” said Collier.

However, he continued: “What Baden-Baden does not have is buffalo. We are having to plan for fencing and cattle grids to keep the buffalo out of our hot springs. Evidently, buffalo love soaking in hot springs. You gotta love Montana.”

The resort, which is set to open in 2018, will include hot, warm and cool pools for community bathing as well as hot springs pool cabins for private bathing.

Designers and engineers are working on the project planning and business plan, and Collier has been brought on to develop the team, concept, project programme and financial feasibility.

Collier said the project will be “the first of its kind in the US,” and will also include water conservation efforts and unique eco-concepts.

Blu Spas has also recently completed work on projects at the La Cantera Hill Country Resort in Texas, the Cliff House Resort in Maine, and the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas.