Basically since the time of recorded history, humans have made use of hot water in relaxation and healing. The Egyptians are said to have used hot tubs since about 2,000 BC. Phraortes, an Egyptian King, built one of the first known hot tubs in 600 BC. Cleanliness was very important to the Egyptians, said to bathe four times a day, and they utilized oils and flowers to participate in aromatherapy-like soaking. A little bit later, the Greeks and Romans started building luxurious spas - with hot and cold baths, saunas, gyms, and massage areas. In the eastern part of the world, Japan has utilized the natural hot springs in their volcanic country for centuries. Now, it is one of the top experiences to do on a trip to Japan.
America, too, has made use of hot springs. From the aptly named Hot Springs, Arkansas, to the oases in the deserts of the West, hot springs have always had a place in American History. In fact, the most visited State Park in Wyoming is devoted to hot springs - it is called Hot Springs State Park! 1.8 million people visit the park every year and soak in the waters. "It started over 100 years ago," says John Fish, Ranger at the park. "And our claim to fame is the mineral water."
The land was bought by the US Government in 1896 from the Shoshone tribe and one-square-mile of the land was turned into Wyoming's first state park, known as Big Horn Hot Springs State Reserve. "They asked for $50,000, but the government gave $60,000 in the form of cash, beans, food, supplies, and the like," Fish says. The park has hiking trails, a suspension foot bridge called "The Swinging Bridge," flower gardens in the summer, and, of course, hot springs.
Overview of spacious hot spring at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. [Photo/Charles Willgren]
The stipulation for the sale in the 1890s was that the mineral water would always be free for visitors to use, something that is still true today. "The public bathhouse is free and people can soak for 20 minutes while the park is busy and then need to wait for 2 hours so everyone gets a chance," Fish informs The Buzz. There are also two concessionaires at the park that cost money, but provide all day soaking and playing.
The Star Plunge has 2 large mineral pools, 2 hot tubs, 2 baby pools, a natural vapor cave, and water slides. Visitors love coming to this place, as it is perfect for families as well as any age group. One visitor reviews, "This place is a great. The place is very clean, staff knowledgeable and friendly. Each pool has different temps. Water slides where kids can have a blast. I would recommend this place to anyone." Best of all, the water is all natural mineral water, so no need to worry about chlorine issues. The other spa and pools concessionaire, Hellie's Teepee Pools, also has varying temperature pools, saunas, and indoor and outdoor soaking. Many folks comment on how great it is to soak in the hot water outside in the cold weather.
"We get a lot of people coming for the hot springs," Fish says. They get people from all over, from all strata of society. "We get the naturalists sometimes," Fish laughs, "And the Europeans who come have a different sense of modesty. You'll see some pull in and just take their clothes off and put them in the van right in the middle of the parking lot." Mostly, though, that's not the case. The springs welcome all. "I always like to tell the story about a farmer from Nebraska," Fish recalls. "He started coming because of some old football injuries and would stay for a week at a time. Now, he will go back home and harvest all his crops and then come back up after sitting on that combine and relax his muscles." Fish says it makes him think of the old wagon trains and the old days of horseback riding. "Back then, folks would only bath a couple times year. I mean, think about how that would feel to soak in this natural, hot spring water after all that time!" The healing attributes have been famous for over a century. “Monument Hill, which overlooks the big spring, has a lot of rock cairns. People say that you know you are healed when you climb to the top of Monument Hill and put a rock on it.”
Besides hot springs, another big draw is the state bison herd. Public roads loop through the large pastures so anyone can get a good view of the “monarchs of the plains” in a setting where one does not have to fight for the ideal viewing position. Legend Rock Petroglyph Site, about 25 miles away, is also under the parks jurisdiction. Here, visitors can hike and see about 300 different petroglyphs etched into the rocks hundreds of years ago. According to the Wyoming State website, it is necessary to stop at Hot Springs State Park first and get a key and permit to go to the petroglyph site. As the site is world renowned and sacred, visitors are asked to enjoy this cultural site yet out of respect for the people who tread this sacred ground take only photographs and leave only footprints.
For a soak, a view of bison, or an awe-inspiring look at the natural world, a stop at the free Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming is a must!