Shoshone Hot Springs
Shoshone Hot Springs flows at 95 degrees Fahrenheit along the North Fork Highway beside Buffalo Bill Reservoir at 5,106 feet elevation, just 18 meters from pavement, with calcium-sulfate chemistry showing 322 mg/L calcium and 402 mg/L sulfate in 1,400 mg/L total dissolved solids.
The springs emerge along the steep-walled canyon of the North Fork Shoshone River where the Bureau of Reclamation's Buffalo Bill Dam creates a reservoir extending upstream 8 miles. At 5,106 feet, the canyon cuts through Paleozoic sedimentary formations including limestone and dolomite that contribute the high calcium concentrations to spring water. The surrounding landscape combines sagebrush slopes with scattered Douglas fir at higher elevations. Annual precipitation of 19 inches and 61 inches of snowfall create moderate mountain moisture conditions. The reservoir's blue-green water contrasts with red and gray canyon walls.
Visit April through October for best access as winter snow can complicate the North Fork Highway. The roadside location permits easy stops along the Yellowstone-Cody route. Water chemistry suggests the springs may leave mineral deposits. Base in Cody 27 miles east for full services, or use Hogan and Luce Campground 32 kilometers southwest for more remote camping near the Absaroka Wilderness boundary.
The springs take their name from the Eastern Shoshone people who occupied this territory before white settlement. Buffalo Bill Cody promoted the canyon route as a gateway to Yellowstone in the 1890s, with dam construction beginning in 1905. The springs remain under Bureau of Reclamation management as part of the reservoir recreation area, with state park designation permitting continued access.
The water at Shoshone Hot Springs is neutral (pH 7.0) with 1400 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
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The Hogan and Luce Campground has five individual camp sites and one group site. It is located near two reservoirs. The campground next to the Hogan Reservoir has picnic tables, toilet facilities, bear-proof food storage boxes, grills/fire rings, horse trailer parking, horse stanchions, a boat ramp and hitching rails.
Shoshone Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. Cold air temperatures make a changing robe or warm layers essential.
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