Thermopolis Hot Springs
Thermopolis Hot Springs flows at 133°F through Hot Springs State Park in the town of Thermopolis, emerging just 26 meters from roads at 4,365 feet elevation. Wikipedia documents the springs flowing at constant 135°F, with the State Bath House offering free bathing at moderated 104°F. The state-managed facility runs 85 degrees above ambient temperature in Hot Springs County.
The springs emerge along the Bighorn River in central Wyoming's basin country, where the town of Thermopolis has developed around the thermal resource. The elevation supports a semiarid climate with 11.5 inches of annual precipitation and 27 inches of snowfall. The immediate setting consists of developed parkland with bathhouses, walkways, and infrastructure, surrounded by sagebrush-covered hills and riverine vegetation along the Bighorn. Mineral terraces from centuries of spring flow create distinctive travertine formations.
Open year-round with free access to the State Bath House; commercial bathhouses charge fees for additional amenities. Summer offers the most comfortable air temperatures, though the springs function identically in all seasons. No hiking required; full accessibility via paved paths. The town provides lodging, restaurants, and services. Combine with the nearby Legend Rock petroglyph site, 25 miles distant. Expect crowds during summer tourist season.
The springs hold deep significance in Eastern Shoshone history and were ceded to the U.S. government in 1896 with the stipulation that a portion remain free for public bathing. Hot Springs State Park was established in 1897, making it Wyoming's first state park. The town of Thermopolis developed around the springs starting in the late 1890s. The free bathhouse honors the original treaty terms to this day.
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Thermopolis Hot Springs is road-accessible, so you can bring more gear. The water runs hot, so extra hydration is key.
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