hot springs state park

This is one beautiful State Park. There are a couple of "pay" attractions in the park, never tried them. We always go to the Bath House for a "soak", walk the park, etc. Just remember to sign the guest book at the Bath House and to shower before you get in, and of course when you get out.

We came to Thermopolis for the hot springs. We knew there was more than just the hot springs, but didn't understand how large the state park really is.It runs along side the Big Horn river (where one can fish for trout) and includes the terraces where the hot mineral water has built up travertine benches and drapery over the years. It also includes the three bathhouses where you can enjoy the waters. Also two hotels are part of the park. Up on the mountain you can watch the small herd of 25 buffalo. There is no entrance fee to the park.Driving in we first drove up the hill and around the buffalo preserve. The buffalo were out and grazing and a little hard to spot. From this side of the park you can climb the butte overlooking the town. There is also a very small cemetery on the side of the hill. We then returned to the mineral terraces. Here we saw the actual hot springs where the water bubbles up at 135 degrees and flows across the ground for a while and over the side of the shore into the river. Several little hot pools have formed, there is a boardwalk to wander around. It resembles Mammoth Hot springs in a very limited way. We walked across the rickety swinging bridge over the river to get a better view of the travertine draperies. There is also a grassy area to play and a couple ponds. And on the lowest level are the three bath houses and two hotels. The bathhouses are all in a row, with the state bathhouse in the middle. You can walk between them. I thought the state bathhouse was very nice, with simple and functional but beautiful architecture. But they were all closed when we arrived so that was a visit for the next day.Also on the grounds are a couple of hot water fountains that have turned into travertine mounds. Across a grassy area from the bathhouses were the two hotels. We stayed at the Best Western Plaza. This is an old building that has been wonderfully updated and remodeled. A very nice facility though it is smaller than a usual Best Western. The Day's Inn across the street used to be a Holiday Inn. It is large, has a work out facility, restaurant and bar and seemed old and dingy. My understanding is that they both have a hot mineral tub for guests use. We were able to enjoy the hot mineral water spa at the Best Western after we checked in. I really appreciated it being available for us at a later hour than the bathhouses. The water was so smooth and relaxing, standard temp was 105 degrees.The next morning we went to the free state bathhouse. Since it is free they stick to the health advisory of only 20 min in the hot water, thereby allowing the most people to enjoy it that want to. There is an indoor and outdoor pool and you must select which one you want to use, can't do both. We had a nice quiet visit with only a few others in the pool with us. It was gently snowing, I love to be in a hot springs water with snow falling. You can return to the state bathhouse after a two hour break if you wish. We still hadn't decided which commercial bathhouse to go to. They were both $12.50 each and appeared to have the same options. I went back to the hotel for another soak in their hot spa and then we checked out and decided actually that we had had enough of the waters and there were other places to see and go. I did check out the Star Plunge which was reportedly the better of the two, and the impression I had was that it was noisy and busy and more family oriented. Maybe if we had kids with us it would be a nice place to enjoy for an afternoon. Thermopolis is more than the State Park, but it is the reason for the town and very worth a visit whether it is for an hour to soak at the state bath house, or to spend the whole day enjoying one of the commercial places and the rest of the park with the terraces and buffalo.

easter of 2013. up early went straight to the hot springs pool .we also got a one of a kind easter sermon with music and prayer too..

On our way to Yellowstone we stayed in Thermopolis,Wy. and visited the Hot Spring State Park. They have several mineral hot spring pools, some were free others had a fee. I used the free bath house and found it very relaxing, similar to a hot tub, but better. The Bighorn River flows right thru the park and is a very good trout stream. Also have a small herd of Buffalo that roams the park. Worth a visit if you're in the area.

This is a fabulous, beautiful park area to spend an afternoon. The drive around the back side will usually have buffalo, deer, antelope, rabbits, and other critters to enjoy. The baths in the park are free, but you can only stay 20 min. and the water is very hot. So if you only have a limited amount of time, this is a fun place, but I would much rather stay longer and pay for the swimming pools. The park has picnic tables, children playground equipment, and a wonderful walking path across a big bridge and around many mineral water displays. The water makes man-made bluffs and it is really a beautiful site to see. Highly recommend a visit. One of my families favorite places to go each year. (and sometimes several times a year!)

The roads are horrible! They need to be fixed before they cause a accident. They need to get on cleaning the park. It's filthy.

This was once a great place but roads are in really bad shape. Side walks need to be swept. The pools are great thanks to private enterprise.

if you don't take care of the roads they will fall apart. The road through buffalo pasture is in bad shape.. this park is not being taken care of. Terraces are looking better but that's because of Nathan Winters and the contractors he hired. I come to park for the two pools..

Beautiful and unique! There are 2 commercial hot pools in the park and one state bath house which is free. Be sure to take in the hiking trails and see the buffalo.

Drive slowly and smell the sulpher....put your feet in the hot water. You can even go to the bath house for R and R. Fun stop!

We enjoy the natural hot springs of Montana and Wyoming. Thermopolis hot springs are pretty old and are not maintained too well. There are numerous pools available with each one kept at a different temperature which is a very nice feature. The price for a day pass is reasonable and you can come and go the entire day so if you want to go get something to eat and come back the same day you can. Overall a fun day and very relaxing.

This was a great experience. On a cold winter day, to be able to get into a pool, even one outside and be warm was wonderful. My husband really enjoyed the outside pool. He said being in the pool with the mountains all around was a wonderful experience. My grand daughter and I decided to stay in the indoor pool, and that was great also. Place could have been a little cleaner, but it wasn't bad. They have changing rooms, with lockers which cost a 1.00 in quarters to rent. They are not large, but my grand daughter and I were able to stuff a lot of things in one locker. They do have a water slide inside, which our 12 year old grandson really enjoyed. It was a fun way to spend a Saturday in January. Would go again, and I might even try the outside pool. There are a couple of different pools, we chose the one you pay for to use, there is a free one as I understand, but we didn't look at this one, so I have no review I can give that one. It was an enjoyable experience.

After a long day of driving, this was a nice stop. Water was relaxing, easy to get in and out, clean. Remember to bring a towel.

We walked through and around this area after a visit to the Tepee hot pools, the area was well maintained, lovely landscaping and fresh green grassed picnic areas. There is a lookout post which offers great views of the area. The pools and the hot spring water bubbling up were fascinating to look at and read about on the information boards. The suspension bridge also offers great views. The colours of the rocks and the different formations in the water were unique ... we took loads of phots ...definitely worth a walk through, doesnt take too long.

The Hot Springs Park at Thermopolis, WY is a beautiful and wonderful place to visit. However, if you are arriving in Thermopolis in an RV, avoid the Fountain of Youth RV Park at Thermopolis. The Fountain Of Youth RV Park is well advertized on the internet, but the add is misleading. The Fountain of Youth RV Park has a terrible electrical system. And if you are hooked to it, it may damage your RV appliances. On top of that, they were the most expensive RV Park I stayed at during my whole trip to Yellowstone, in 2012.