This State Boasts More Hot Springs Than Towns

What explains the abundance of thermal wonders in the western United States? Look to the mountains. Out of the country’s 1,661 natural hot springs, over a thousand emerge near fault lines out west—many nestled within Wyoming’s 109 mountain ranges, from the Tetons to the Bighorns, and the Snowys to the Sierra Madres.

For centuries, Indigenous tribes like the Cheyenne, Ute, and Arapaho have enjoyed the healing and warming properties of mineral-rich thermal springs. By the time the mid-1800s gold rush brought settlers to Wyoming’s resort towns, these hot springs were already bustling with pioneers seeking respite after long days of mining.

“The hot springs in the American West exude a rustic wildness and a certain rowdiness,” says photographer Greta Rybus, whose upcoming book, Hot Springs, is set to release on March 19. The springs had already become a tourist attraction when, in 1872, Congress designated Yellowstone as the first national park—situated atop a volcano that features the world’s highest concentration (over 10,000) of hydrothermal features. While Yellowstone’s thermal spots are far too hot for bathing (swimming prohibited), they have contributed to advancements in medicine and forensics and provide energy for heating buildings and fish hatcheries.

Today, with healthcare increasingly focusing on natural remedies and preventive care, there’s a significant rise in evidence-based wellness, sparking a resurgence of thermal mineral pools and spa resorts. The post-pandemic market for hot springs destinations has surged by 24 percent (from 2020 to 2022), as younger generations seek connections with each other, delve into Indigenous history, and explore affordable healing options, according to the Global Wellness Institute.

This includes Rybus, who spent a year and a half documenting her adventures at 23 hot springs worldwide, beginning in the American West.

“My ancestors settled in Montana during the 1860s and rode horseback into Yellowstone around the park's inception,” shares Rybus, originally from Idaho. “I possess copies of their journal entries detailing their awe and trepidation at the region’s powerful geysers, fumaroles, hot pots, and thermal pools.”

Beginning her journey in 2021 with a drive from her home in Maine, Rybus made Wyoming her first destination for a good reason. “I continue to be amazed by the incredible variety of hot springs,” she remarks. “They range from simple, silt- or sand-bottomed puddles to those that resemble a community swimming pool.” Here are five of Wyoming’s natural wonders to add to your travel list:

Hot Springs State Park

Thermopolis, derived from the Greek meaning “hot city,” is located where the Wind River meets the Bighorn River in northwest Wyoming. It features Hot Springs State Park, home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs, known as Big Spring. Established in 1937 to safeguard the mineral spring waters, this free park offers over six miles of hiking trails and stunning western landscapes. Visitors can enjoy two commercial pools and a state-operated bathhouse. Those who stay awhile might catch park rangers feeding bison in the fall and winter or learn about dinosaur bones found in 1993 at a ranch now housing the Wyoming Dinosaur Center.

Hot Springs State Park also hosts a family-friendly center, Star Plunge, featuring waterslides and both indoor and outdoor pools filled with 27 different minerals. Additionally, there’s a vapor cave, where steam from hot mineral water creates a soothing grotto atmosphere.

Hobo Hot Springs

In the town of Saratoga (population 1,727), visitors can access a free public bathhouse with two mineral-spring pools—Lobster Pot and Hobo Pool. Nestled between the Snowy and Sierra Madre mountain ranges, this area is perfect for wading as the springs flow into the river. Saratoga is also renowned for fly fishing, boasting over 600 pounds of trout per mile in the Blue Ribbon stream of the Upper North Platte River. Entry to Hobo Hot Springs is free, though donations are appreciated. Consider extending your visit with a 20-minute drive to the luxurious Brush Creek Ranch.

Saratoga Hot Springs Resort

For those seeking privacy, this Saratoga hotel offers a 70-foot outdoor hot springs pool along with five smaller soaking pools covered by teepees. Cap off your day with some indulgence at the Healing Waters Spa, located on-site in the original spa building from 1902.

Astoria Hot Mineral Springs

Just a 20-minute drive south of Jackson leads you to six beautiful and secluded man-made soaking pools. Astoria Hot Mineral Springs is situated within Astoria Park Conservancy, a 100-acre area of wildlife habitat, wetlands, and trails along the Snake River in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Soaking is available by reservation only, with all proceeds supporting the conservancy. The park also offers meditation and wellness classes.

Granite Hot Springs

Located 30 miles southeast of Jackson along Granite Creek, a winding dirt road leads to Granite Hot Springs, which is free to visit. This hidden gem, surrounded by the Bridger-Teton National Forest and managed by the U.S. Forest Service, features a concrete hot spring pool that accommodates up to 80 people and is open for limited hours. Just a short walk away, you’ll find Granite Creek Falls, which boasts its own small natural hot spring; further hikes take you to stunning peaks and wildflower meadows.