One of my favorite place to go in Wyoming is Thermopolis Hot Springs State Park https://wyoparks.wyo.gov/index.php/places-to-go/hot-springs. There is nothing like hiking a while, and then going to either the free State Bath House or one of the two pools in the park.
The Pools
Personally, I am a fan of the bath house. It tends to be fairly quiet as you are limited on the time allowed to soak in there. The water is kept at about 104F. This is excellent for relaxation and sore muscles.
However, if you have kids or are young at heart, the Star Plunge or Hellie’s Teepee Pools are great places to go. They have slides, steam caves, hot tubs and pools. Fun to be had by all. Trust me, I have been there in the middle of the winter and loved every second.
Rainbow Terraces
Wandering though the park, there is a walking path that allows you to visualize the beautiful, rainbow colors of the Rainbow Terraces. These are mineral laden walls from the 8000 gallons that flow over the top of them forming a rainbow of colors.
The Swing Bridge
You can also see the terraces from the Swinging Bridge, giving you a fantastical view of the Big Horn River and a colorful painting of the geometrical rock formations.
Other Awesome Attractions
On top of the lure of the hots springs soak, there are many other attractions. You can take a nice walk along the Big Horn river. Go fishing at one of the many access points. Check out the bison herd. Eat at one of the excellent restaurants in the area. Head over to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center https://wyadventures.com/wyoming-dinosaur-center/. Hike around the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site and check out the petroglyphs dating back 10,000 years. Take a tour back in history at the Hot Springs County Museum, or wander up to Wyoming Whiskey.
Wind River Canyon
On your way coming or going from the Thermopolis Hot Springs State Park, drive through the Wind River Canyon and marvel at the geological formations of sedimentary rock. Some formations date back 3 billion years to the Precambrian era. The Canyon is gorgeous and provides even more outdoor opportunities.
This place is easily a weekend destination. It is a 2.5 hour drive from where I live and it never gets old. There is so much to see and do. This is only a partial list of activities to be enjoyed in the area. Take a load off and go enjoy Thermopolis, Wyoming. See you there.