See & Experience Thermopolis
Few places bring together mineral hot springs, dinosaur discoveries, river adventures, and ancient rock art quite like Thermopolis. Here, you can get your hands dirty searching for fossils, feel the rush of whitewater, or let the afternoon slip away in a warm pool. With so much to explore, the hardest part is deciding where to begin.
Warm mineral water is at the heart of the Thermopolis experience. At Hot Springs State Park, enjoy a complimentary soak at the State Bath House, explore walking trails beside colorful mineral terraces, and cross the Swinging Bridge above the Bighorn River. The park’s resident bison herd adds another distinctly Wyoming experience, bringing you face to face with an icon of the American West.
At the Wyoming Dinosaur Center, prehistoric life becomes something you can see up close and help uncover. Explore dinosaur skeletons and fossil exhibits, watch the careful work of fossil preparation, or book a seasonal dig experience to search for real dinosaur bones. For curious kids and lifelong dinosaur enthusiasts alike, it’s an opportunity to connect with discoveries millions of years in the making.
Towering cliffs and exposed layers of ancient rock make the Wind River Canyon a destination in its own right. The scenic drive offers dramatic views around every bend, while guided rafting trips bring you closer to the canyon’s scale and the power of its river. For those looking for another kind of challenge, rock climbing adds to the adventure. Feel the rush of the rapids, take in the towering cliffs from a scenic overlook, or earn your view on a rock climb, the Wind River Canyon is impressive from any angle.
Blue-ribbon trout fishing on the Big Horn River offers anglers the thrill of pursuing a trophy trout in a spectacular Wyoming setting. Cast a line on your own or fish with a local fishing guide. From the anticipation of a bite to the thrill of a catch, a day on the Bighorn is time well spent.
More than 300 petroglyph figures stretch across a 400 meters long cliff face at the Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site. With over 92 prehistoric panels to study, this world-renowned site invites you to look closely at images that have endured for thousands of years. Sacred to Native Americans of the region for thousands of years, Legend Rock is a must see for its remarkable rock art and cultural significance.
Step into Wyoming’s outlaw past at the Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center, where the original Hole in the Wall bar puts you in the company of legends. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once sat at this very bar, and today you can pull up a seat and imagine Thermopolis in its wilder days. Explore the stories of the Hole in the Wall gang and the historic artifacts that bring this chapter of the American West to life.
Round out your Thermopolis getaway with a stroll through historic downtown, a little shopping, and a good meal at a local restaurant. Pick out something to remember your trip by, share stories over dinner, and enjoy an evening without watching the clock. With so much to experience, give yourself a few days to take it all in.
