Hot Springs State Park
Personal Notes
This page contains our personal notes on our visits to Hot Springs State Park in Wyoming.
Friday, August 29, 2008
9:10 a.m.
On this trip we were staying at a commercial campground in Thermopolis, so Hot Springs State Park was nearby. Besides, our goal for the day was to visit the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site, and the required key to get through the locked gate must be obtained from the attendant in the Bath House. So since we were already there, we took a casual walk along the Rainbow Terrace and across the Swinging Bridge over the Big Horn River. The terraces are similar to some of the hot springs and depositional terraces that are seen in Yellowstone National Park and other areas. But, apparently, these hot springs are the largest in the world (however they determine that).
The park itself is green, with well kept lawns and tall shade trees. There are picnic areas and playgrounds for the kids, as well as several bath houses, both commercial and public. I believe the State Bath House is free of charge.
The walk along Rainbow Terrace was pleasant, and we didn't smell much of the expected sulphur aroma that often accompanies these times of springs. We did get to see several types of water birds poking about the cooler parts of the flows, and there are several very colorful varieties of moses growing within the springs. The colors are indicators of the temperature of the water, each type of moss being specific to a specified temperature range.
The Swinging Bridge is sturdy, but can still be disconcerting as you get to about the middle, where the structure begins to sway back and forth with your footsteps. The Big Horn River flows swiftly below, maybe thirty or more feet beneath the bridge. From the far side you can look back and get great views of the water pouring over the terraces and into the river.
After our walk we took a quick drive along a loop road that took us into the northern parts of the park, where there is a small herd of bison. They are always fascinating to watch as they move along through the tall grasses.
There are a couple of short trails to view points and an old cemetery that we would have liked to have visited, but our time was short, so after finishing the loop we headed out for our day's adventures.
