People leave you alone and expect the same from you. Though they will always help when you need it," Sammy Flohr says. Flohr is the treasurer for the town of Saratoga, Wyoming. Saratoga is a town of 1,600 people way out in the west, about 20 miles south of I-80. It has such a western vibe that the history is still there, as Flohr notes, “You can still see the wagon ruts on a trail about 4 miles north of here.” There is much to see and do in this quaint small town. A recommended place to call home in Saratoga is the campground at Saratoga Lake operated by the town. "There are 50 sites there," Flohr says, "And the electric ones are $15 and the non-electric are $10." Flohr explains that the campground is not staffed, instead one puts the money in a kiosk and sets up camp on the honor system - something that still holds weight in this part of the country.
So what are some of the things to do in the area? First, there is the fishing. The area is known for year round fishing at Saratoga Lake, where the campground is, as well as the North Platte River. The North Platte, which uniquely flows north, originates in the mountains and comes through Saratoga completely un-dammed, creating a 141 mile freestone fisherman’s paradise. The area around Saratoga is considered a "Blue Ribbon" trout fishery with more than 2,300 fish per mile. Fish have not been stocked in the river since 1979, meaning it is all natural and sustainable. The river hosts a variety of landscapes and wildlife. There are antelope, bighorn sheep, blue herons, and more in its Alpine mountains and high plains backdrops. The quiet Saratoga Lake has fishing, boating, water skiing, and windsurfing, all located in the high desert.
There is also a lot of history in the area. First, there is the Hotel Wolf, opened on New Year's Eve in 1893. The Hotel Wolf is quintessential western and has a saloon and restaurant. One user says, "Cool historic building in downtown Saratoga. If you're looking for an authentic, Old West feel, this is the place. If you're looking for fancy, keep on looking! The room was clean and perfect for a quick overnight stay. The bar/ restaurant downstairs has great food and drinks." Most people comment on the delicious food, as well as the history and close to all the attractions downtown.
A particularly interesting attraction is one of the things that made the town famous in the past - a free 24/7 hot spring, courtesy of the city of Saratoga. The original inhabitants of the area, the American Indians, used the springs as a neutral area and as a place of healing. Now, it is similar - a place to heal and relax. The hot spring is called the Saratoga "Hobo Hot Pool" and it is open every day of the year. There is a bath house with showers and restrooms and there is also a pool that is not as hot for younger children. Temperatures in the hot pool are from 106 degrees to 119 degrees, while the “not-so-hot” pool is about 100 degrees.
There are also a few more elegant options to stay in the area. First, the Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, which has hot springs (of course), a brewery, golf, spa facilities and more. There is also a 5-star Lodge and Spa in the area called Brush Creek Ranch. Brush Creek was named #1 Resort in the USA and #1 Dude Ranch in the USA by Conde Nast Traveler. A visitor very pointedly says, "It is absolutely everything you could want in a 'dude ranch' experience." Indeed, it has a lot of everything for everyone - on 30,000 acres, there is free yoga classes, archery, shooting, fly fishing trips, horseback rides, and more.
"There is a lot of hiking and outdoor things around, too," Flohr says. Indeed, Medicine Bow National Forest has hiking, fishing, rafting, and boating in its 1,093,618 acres, about 30 minutes away from town. The U.S. National Forest website states how it got its name: "The area now called Medicine Bow National Forest was a favorite location of the Plains Indians long before the white man appeared. The mountain mahogany found in mountain valleys produced bows of exceptional quality. Various tribes would assemble to collect this wonderful wood and construct bows. At such times, with many people gather, ceremonies were held to make "medicine," cure diseases and call on the "Great Spirit." In other words, the various Plains Indian people came together to make medicine while making bows. Thus, the area became known as Medicine Bow." The most famous mountain in the area is Laramie Peak, which is visible for more than 100 miles around and was made famous by many authors who passed through the area, including Mark Twain.
Historic Hotel Wolf located in Saratoga which opened on New Year’s Eve 1893, and now on the National Register of Historic Places. [Photo/Magicpiano]
Another destination that is open to the public is the Saratoga National Fish Hatchery. It has been around for over 100 years and provides trout eggs to places all across the country including the Great Lakes, Plymouth Rock and more. It also holds a refugium for the Wyoming toad and reintroduces the toads to the wild. The Wyoming toad is the most endangered amphibian in North America and the hatchery has been attempting to reintroduce more toads into the wild from the hatchery.
So whatever one likes to do, heading south from I-80 in the middle of Wyoming for a few days to Saratoga is a great bet. And if there is something you like to do that’s not noted above, ask around - there is certainly someone that will help you find what you’re looking for in the friendly western town of Saratoga.