Star Plunge, Wyoming

Quick Facts

Experience

Public Pools & Parks

Access Level

Easy to reach (no hike)

Safety Level

Be mindful

What to Wear

Swimsuit required

Family Friendly

Yes

Entry Fee

Paid

Wheelchair Access

Address

220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443

Overview

About Star Plunge

Star Plunge, Wyoming is a geothermal aquatic facility inside Hot Springs State Park at approximately 220 Park St in Thermopolis, Hot Springs County. The facility has been closed to the public since January 14, 2025, due to a legal dispute between the prior operator and Wyoming State Parks over facility management rights. No confirmed reopening date is available as of April 2026. The litigation remains ongoing. The free State Bath House, located adjacent to Star Plunge within Hot Springs State Park, remains open during normal hours.

Star Plunge was established in the late 19th century and is one of the oldest thermal bathing facilities in the United States. It draws water from the Big Horn Spring, the same source used by the Bath House and Hellie's Tepee Pools within the park. When operating, the facility included indoor and outdoor mineral pools at varying temperatures, a vapor cave, and the Super Star 500, a water slide over 500 feet long. The Luehne family operated Star Plunge from 1975 until January 2025, when their management agreement expired following a legal dispute with Wyoming State Parks over the selection of a new operator. The facility remains in the care of the Luehne family pending resolution of the ongoing legal proceedings.

Location & Access

Getting to Star Plunge

Star Plunge is located inside Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming. The facility has been closed to visitors since January 14, 2025. Do not travel specifically to visit Star Plunge without first confirming it has reopened. Check wyoparks.wyo.gov or hotspringsstatepark.com for current status before planning any trip that depends on Star Plunge being open. The facility address is approximately 220 Park St, Thermopolis, WY 82443. If you arrive and Star Plunge remains closed, the free State Bath House is immediately adjacent and open during normal hours at no charge.

Hot Springs State Park is open year-round. From US-20 in Thermopolis, follow Park Street north into the park. Free parking is available throughout the park grounds. The State Bath House is open free of charge Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. Hellie's Tepee Pools at 144 Tepee St is also operating as of early 2026 as a paid commercial facility with pools, slides, and hot tubs. Thermopolis is approximately 84 miles south of Cody and approximately 130 miles north of Casper on US-20. For those seeking hot springs near Thermopolis Wyoming, the Bath House and Hellie's Tepee Pools provide current soaking alternatives while Star Plunge remains closed.

Suitability & Accessibility

Suitability of Star Plunge for Visitors

Star Plunge is not currently accessible to visitors. The facility closed on January 14, 2025, and no confirmed reopening date has been announced as of April 2026. Do not plan a visit expecting to soak at Star Plunge without verifying its current status first. The closure is due to an unresolved legal dispute between the prior operator and Wyoming State Parks over management rights, not a safety or maintenance issue. The case involves ongoing litigation in Wyoming courts and the timeline for resolution remains uncertain.

When operating, Star Plunge served families and individuals with indoor and outdoor mineral pools, a vapor cave, and the Super Star 500 water slide. Indoor pool temperatures ranged from 94 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The outdoor pool ran 90 to 94 degrees. The vapor cave and a dedicated hot pool ran at approximately 104 degrees. Star Plunge was one of the most visited attractions in Thermopolis and was well-suited to families with children of all ages as well as visitors seeking therapeutic mineral water soaking.

While Star Plunge is closed, the free State Bath House inside Hot Springs State Park remains open Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. Hellie's Tepee Pools at 144 Tepee St is operational as of early 2026 as a paid alternative with pools, hot tubs, slides, and a steam room. Both are practical options for visitors who had planned to use Star Plunge.

Safety & Etiquette

Star Plunge Safety Information

Star Plunge is closed to the public as of January 14, 2025. Do not attempt to enter the facility. The closure is the result of a legal dispute between the prior operator and Wyoming State Parks and is ongoing as of April 2026. Entering a closed state park facility without authorization is prohibited and subject to enforcement by park rangers.

For current information on Star Plunge's status, visit wyoparks.wyo.gov or hotspringsstatepark.com, or follow Hot Springs State Park on Facebook at @hotspringsstatepark. The Wyoming Legislature's 2026 budget included $3 million earmarked for concessionaire remedies at Hot Springs State Park, which may affect the timeline for resolution, but no confirmed reopening date has been announced.

The remainder of Hot Springs State Park is open and safe to visit. The free State Bath House is open Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. The park includes bison herds that graze throughout the grounds. Maintain a safe distance from bison at all times. Bison are unpredictable and can move quickly. Stay on designated walkways when moving between park facilities and parking areas.

When Star Plunge reopens, verify current admission fees and hours before arriving. The facility draws from the Big Horn Spring at approximately 128 degrees Fahrenheit, cooled to therapeutic pool temperatures. Standard hot spring safety rules apply: limit time in the hottest pools, stay hydrated, and consult a physician before use if you have heart conditions, high blood pressure, or pregnancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Star Plunge open?

No. Star Plunge closed to the public on January 14, 2025, due to a legal dispute between the prior operator and Wyoming State Parks over facility management rights. As of April 2026, the facility remains closed with no confirmed reopening date. Check wyoparks.wyo.gov or hotspringsstatepark.com for current status before visiting.

Why did Star Plunge close?

Star Plunge closed because the management agreement with the Luehne family, who had operated the facility since 1975, expired at the end of 2024. Wyoming State Parks had selected a new operator through a competitive bidding process, but the Luehne family filed legal challenges against the state's bidding process. A December 2024 court ruling prevented the state from installing the new operator while litigation continues, leaving the facility with no active management agreement and no legal path to reopen under existing arrangements.

What was Star Plunge like before it closed?

When operating, Star Plunge featured indoor and outdoor mineral pools heated by water from the Big Horn Spring. The indoor pool ran 94 to 98 degrees Fahrenheit. The outdoor pool was 90 to 94 degrees. A hot pool with water jets and air jets ran at 104 degrees, and there was a vapor cave. The Super Star 500, a water slide over 500 feet long, was open seasonally from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

What is open in Hot Springs State Park while Star Plunge is closed?

The free State Bath House is open Mon-Sat 8am to 5:30pm and Sunday noon to 5:30pm. Admission is always free, guaranteed by the 1896 treaty condition from the Shoshone and Arapaho land transfer to Wyoming. Hellie's Tepee Pools at 144 Tepee St is also operational as of early 2026, offering pools, hot tubs, slides, and a steam room at a paid admission. The park itself, including the bison herd, travertine terraces, and trail network, is fully open.

Will Star Plunge reopen?

Wyoming State Parks has expressed its intent to reopen the facility and the Wyoming Legislature's 2026 budget included $3 million earmarked for concessionaire remedies at Hot Springs State Park. However, the legal proceedings between C&W Enterprises and Wyoming State Parks must be resolved before a new operator can take over. A trial in one of the cases was set for October 2026 per December 2025 reporting. No confirmed reopening date is available as of April 2026.