Hot Springs State Park Bath House, Wyoming
Free public mineral pools at 104 degrees in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis. Free by 1896 treaty. Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm, Sun noon-5:30pm. Attendants on site.
220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443
Thermopolis
Wyoming
US
43.650536
-108.2049
Public Pools & Parks
Free
Easy to reach (no hike)
Generally safe
Swimsuit required
true
true
North America
hot-springs-state-park-bath-house-free-public-facility-wyoming
Hot Springs State Park Bath House (Free Public Facility), Wyoming.
Is the Hot Springs State Park Bath House really free?
Yes. The Bath House is free to all visitors. Free admission is guaranteed by the treaty condition from the 1896 transfer of the hot springs from the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes to the state of Wyoming, which required that the waters remain free and open to the public in perpetuity. No admission fee is charged at any time. This applies only to the State Bath House; the commercial facilities Hellie's Tepee Pools and Star Plunge within the same park charge admission.
What are the hours for the Hot Springs State Park Bath House?
The Bath House is open Monday through Saturday 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. It is closed on winter holidays. During summer it is open on holidays from noon to 5:30pm. Always check hotspringsstatepark.com or call ahead before visiting on a holiday to confirm current hours.
What temperature is the Bath House pool?
The Bath House pools are maintained at approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the standard therapeutic soaking temperature used throughout Hot Springs State Park. The water comes from the Big Horn spring, which issues at 127 degrees and is cooled to soaking temperature before entering the pools. The same geothermal source feeds all the mineral facilities in the park.
Are there attendants at the Bath House?
Are there attendants at the Bath House?
What is the history of the free public soaking requirement at Hot Springs State Park?
In 1896, the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes, led by Chief Washakie, ceded the hot springs land to the state of Wyoming as part of a negotiated treaty. A core condition of the transfer was that the mineral waters remain free and open to the public forever. Wyoming honored this commitment by establishing the State Bath House as a permanently free public facility. The Gift of the Waters Pageant, held annually in Thermopolis in early August, commemorates this land transfer each year.

Hot Springs State Park Bath House, Wyoming

Free public mineral pools at 104 degrees in Hot Springs State Park, Thermopolis. Free by 1896 treaty. Mon-Sat 8am-5:30pm, Sun noon-5:30pm. Attendants on site.
Hot Springs State Park Bath House (Free Public Facility), Wyoming.
Quick Facts
Experience
Public Pools & Parks
Access Level
Easy to reach (no hike)
Safety Level
Generally safe
What to Wear
Swimsuit required
Family Friendly
Yes
Entry Fee
Free
Wheelchair Access
Yes
Address
220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443

Overview

About Hot Springs State Park Bath House

Hot Springs State Park Bath House, Wyoming is a free public mineral spring facility inside Hot Springs State Park at 220 Park St in Thermopolis, Hot Springs County. Indoor and outdoor pools are maintained at approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit using water from the Big Horn spring, which issues at 127 degrees Fahrenheit and contains 27 minerals, producing approximately 3.6 million gallons per day. Free admission is guaranteed by the terms of the original land transfer in which the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes gave the hot springs to the state of Wyoming in 1896, under the condition that the waters remain free and open to the public in perpetuity. This treaty condition makes the Bath House one of the few truly free public mineral spring facilities in the United States.

Attendants are available to assist visitors. The facility includes changing rooms and basic amenities for soakers. The Bath House is the only facility in Hot Springs State Park that fulfills the original treaty requirement of free public access; the commercial facilities Hellie's Tepee Pools and Star Plunge within the same park charge admission fees. Hot Springs State Park is the most visited state park in Wyoming and the Big Horn spring is recognized as one of the largest mineral hot springs in the world by flow volume.

Location & Access

Getting to Hot Springs State Park Bath House

Hot Springs State Park Bath House is located inside Hot Springs State Park at 220 Park St in Thermopolis, Wyoming. From downtown Thermopolis, head north on Park Street into the park. The Bath House is within the main park area near the Big Horn spring terraces and the Big Horn River. The park is well-signed from US-20. No entry fee is charged to enter Hot Springs State Park. Free parking is available throughout the park. The facility is accessible by any vehicle and free to all visitors.

Thermopolis is located in north-central Wyoming in Hot Springs County, approximately 84 miles south of Cody and approximately 130 miles north of Casper via US-20. The town sits on the Wind River Canyon scenic byway. The Bath House is within easy walking distance of the park's travertine terraces, the swinging bridge over the Big Horn River, and the bison herd viewing areas. For those seeking free hot springs near Thermopolis Wyoming, the Bath House is the only completely free geothermal soaking facility in the region. The nearby commercial facilities Hellie's Tepee Pools and Fountain of Youth RV Park charge day-use fees. Hours are Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. The facility is closed on winter holidays and open noon to 5:30pm on summer holidays.

Suitability & Accessibility

Suitability and Accessibility of Hot Springs State Park Bath House

Hot Springs State Park Bath House suits visitors of all ages and fitness levels seeking free geothermal mineral soaking in a managed, attended environment. The pools are maintained at 104 degrees Fahrenheit, the standard therapeutic soaking temperature used throughout the park. Attendants are present to assist visitors. The facility is within the state park on flat accessible terrain. Hot Springs State Park has 6.2 miles of ADA accessible trails, boardwalks, and sidewalks. The Bath House is accessible by car with free park parking directly adjacent.

The facility is free of charge to all visitors as required by the 1896 treaty condition of the original land transfer. No admission fee is ever charged for the Bath House. This makes it the most accessible mineral spring facility in Thermopolis for visitors on any budget. The pool temperature of 104 degrees is suitable for healthy adults and older children. Young children must be supervised at all times.

For those seeking free hot springs near Thermopolis Wyoming, the Bath House provides the same Big Horn spring water as the commercial facilities in the park, at no cost and with attendants on site. Hours are Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sun noon to 5:30pm. The facility is closed on winter holidays and open noon to 5:30pm on summer holidays. Visitors seeking longer hours or additional amenities such as waterslides can use the nearby commercial Hellie's Tepee Pools.

Safety & Etiquette

Hot Springs State Park Bath House Safety Tips

Hot Springs State Park Bath House is a managed facility with attendants present during all operating hours. The pools are maintained at approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Limit soaking sessions to appropriate durations, particularly for first-time visitors, children, and older visitors. Stay hydrated before and after soaking. Exit the pool immediately if you feel dizzy, overheated, or unwell. Guests with heart conditions, high blood pressure, pregnancy, or other conditions affecting heat tolerance should consult a physician before using the facility.

The Big Horn spring water contains sulfur and 27 minerals. A mild sulfur smell is normal. Do not use soap, shampoo, or any cleaning products in the mineral pools. Rinse off with fresh water after soaking if you have sensitive skin. Do not drink the mineral water. Swimsuits are required. No alcohol is permitted. Follow all posted rules and attendant instructions at all times.

The Bath House is closed on winter holidays. Check the facility schedule or contact the park before visiting on any holiday. The facility hours are Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm.

Hot Springs State Park includes bison herds that graze throughout the park grounds. Maintain a safe distance from bison at all times. Bison are unpredictable and can move quickly. Stay on designated walkways when moving between the parking area, Bath House, and other park features. The park's 6.2 miles of accessible trails are well-maintained but may be slippery in cold or wet weather.

Frequently Asked Questions

1
Is the Hot Springs State Park Bath House really free?
Yes. The Bath House is free to all visitors. Free admission is guaranteed by the treaty condition from the 1896 transfer of the hot springs from the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes to the state of Wyoming, which required that the waters remain free and open to the public in perpetuity. No admission fee is charged at any time. This applies only to the State Bath House; the commercial facilities Hellie's Tepee Pools and Star Plunge within the same park charge admission.
2
What are the hours for the Hot Springs State Park Bath House?
The Bath House is open Monday through Saturday 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. It is closed on winter holidays. During summer it is open on holidays from noon to 5:30pm. Always check hotspringsstatepark.com or call ahead before visiting on a holiday to confirm current hours.
3
What temperature is the Bath House pool?
The Bath House pools are maintained at approximately 104 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the standard therapeutic soaking temperature used throughout Hot Springs State Park. The water comes from the Big Horn spring, which issues at 127 degrees and is cooled to soaking temperature before entering the pools. The same geothermal source feeds all the mineral facilities in the park.
4
Are there attendants at the Bath House?
Yes. Attendants are on site during all operating hours to assist visitors. The facility is a state-managed public service rather than a commercial operation.
5
What is the history of the free public soaking requirement at Hot Springs State Park?
In 1896, the Shoshone and Arapaho tribes, led by Chief Washakie, ceded the hot springs land to the state of Wyoming as part of a negotiated treaty. A core condition of the transfer was that the mineral waters remain free and open to the public forever. Wyoming honored this commitment by establishing the State Bath House as a permanently free public facility. The Gift of the Waters Pageant, held annually in Thermopolis in early August, commemorates this land transfer each year.

Location

Address:
220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443
Coordinates:
-108.2049
,
43.650536
43.650536
-108.2049
Hot Springs State Park Bath House, Wyoming
Text LinkHot Springs State Park Bath House (Free Public Facility), Wyoming.
220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443

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