Are you planning on visiting Thermopolis, Wyoming? Great choice! A Thermopolis Wyoming vacation should be on everyone WY bucket list! This town has so much to offer you. Located just three and a half hours from Yellowstone makes a great stop on your way to or from Yellowstone or the Grand Teton National Park.
Hot springs, museums, delicious food, fun accommodation, and stunning natural beauty are waiting for you in Thermopolis, Wyoming. Which of these fun things will you do first when you arrive?
Can You Swim In Thermopolis?
Of course, you can! There are many places to swim in Thermopolis. One of the best places to swim is at the Thermopolis State Park. They have a naturally heated pool and other activities there in the park. It’s one of the best things to do in Thermopolis with kids!
Is Thermopolis Wyoming Worth Visiting?
Without a doubt! The history and natural beauty of the town are simply amazing, you are sure to fall in love with this part of the state during your visit! Plus, it makes for a great Wyoming road trip stop.
Is There A Volcano In Thermopolis Wyoming?
No. Although Roundtop Mountain is shaped like one.
Things To Do In Thermopolis, Wyoming
Hot Springs
Hot Springs State Park and the Thermopolis Hot Springs Resort are must-visits while visiting this lovely WY town. There are different springs to pull over and look at, playgrounds, a swimming pool, a bathhouse, and a large bison herd. It’s also a great place to go biking!
The bathhouse is free for you to enjoy. Normally, the springs are naturally 135 degrees Fahrenheit, but the bathhouse is altered to 104 degrees for a more enjoyable therapeutic experience.
If you’ve never been to a natural hot spring before, you may be shocked to find out that they stink. They smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. If you are back away from the water a bit, you won’t have to deal with the smell. While my daughters played on the playground next to the springs, the smell wasn’t an issue.
There’s also a beautiful swinging bridge in the state park, near the springs that you can walk on, but keep in mind it’s not handicapped assessable.
Fun Fact: Thermopolis got its name from a combination of the Greek words for hot baths and city.
Hot Springs County Museum
This museum beautifully lays out the history of Hot Springs County. From the Wyoming hot springs, Native Americans, and pioneers, to the archaeological finds of the area.
You can easily spend two or more hours here at the Hot Springs County Museum. Obviously interesting and educational, but the best part for budget and family travelers is that it’s affordable!
It only costs $5 for adults, $3 for kids, and preschoolers and military are free. score, score, score!
Wyoming Dinosaur Museum
One of a few dinosaur museums that actually have dinosaur excavation sites within driving distance. Plus, it was ranked one of The Worlds Coolest Places by TIME Magazine For Kids in 2019.
You can purchase a ticket for the museum or a ticket for the excavation site. You can save yourself some money and do a combination ticket for the museum and tour.
Other than the fact that the museum is seriously amazing and intriguing, they offer six other programs and experiences that you can take part in at the center and site.
You can take part in Dig For A Day where you can.. you guessed it, dig at the excavation site for the day. They have a separate digging option that’s for children only. This is super nifty because staff and visitors have removed over 10,000 fossils from this site.
You could be responsible for uncovering a fossilized dinosaur bone in Wyoming. How cool is that!?
Another interesting option at the museum is Paleo Prep. You take a tour of the laboratory, see the fossils that the staff is working on, and see how they are prepped in the lab.
The Wyoming Dinosaur Museum is one of the best things to do in Thermopolis with kids!
Accommodation Is Affordable: Hotels In Thermopolis, Wyoming
One of the most important considerations travelers have to think about when planning travel is the cost of accommodation. And in Thermopolis, you are in luck!
You can find hotels in Thermopolis for well under $100/night. You also have options for higher-end hotels, RV parks, camping, and cabins.
At Roundtop Mountain you can get cabins for $100 or LESS during high season in Thermopolis. You’re sure to find hotels near some amazing restaurants in Thermopolis as well. This town really can’t be beaten!
Where To Eat In Thermopolis, Wyoming
There are many great restaurants in Thermopolis! For coffee, ice cream, and perfectly yummy snack food, you need to stop at Dairyland & Hot City Coffee. This is the typical little western food shack that you would expect to see in a small Wyoming town. Stop for your morning coffee or after a day of exploring grab a burger and banana split!
Road trippers love a bi If that’s you or if you like to get a big breakfast before a day of traveling and exploring a new city, Thermopolis Cafe has you covered. They have huge country breakfasts, skillet dishes, and super friendly staff.
Conclusion
If you’re wanting to take a day trip from a larger Wyoming city, Thermopolis, Wyoming needs to be on your radar. It’s also a great option for a weekend getaway or for if you only have a day or two to spend in Wyoming.
The larger Wyoming cities are really too big to explore in only a couple of days, but Thermopolis is perfect! For a short stay in Wyoming, the history and natural beauty of Thermopolis can’t be beaten.
If you have any more questions about Thermopolis, Wyoming, or the surrounding area, comment below!
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For two summers, we spent time there. The citizens of Thermopolis are probably the some of the nicest we encountered. They went out of their way to be friendly. The hardware store is a must. They have a little of everything.