Road Trip Oddities: The Hobo Pool in Saratoga, Wyoming
I love checking out quirky roadside attractions on road trips – it helps break up an otherwise long and boring drive. On a recent very long trip from Idaho to Chicago, Mike and I decided to take an hour detour to a natural hot springs in Saratoga, Wyoming. Open year-round, 24/7, The Hobo Pool is the perfect place to relax after long hours on the road. It may seem weird to pull over and jump into a 100+ degrees hot springs, however, you would be surprised on what a nice break it makes! It was great to get in the hot waters after stepping out into the freezing winter air; it was even snowing a bit outside which made for the perfect winter setting!
How hot is the water? What are the benefits of hot springs?
Water from a hot springs is heated by geothermal heat. The springs, which vary in temperatures from 108-119 degrees, are believed to be healing waters. Although the Sulfur occurring naturally in the springs has a strong odor, it is supposedly good for your skin, detoxifies your body, and helps with many other conditions. The other naturally occurring minerals help ease problems such as arthritis, sore muscles, and joint pain. Sounds nice after a long ride doesn’t it? If you have ever taken a long drive, then you know how much your legs, neck, and shoulders are hurting after a while. Relaxing in the springs can help ease muscle and joint aches and get the circulation going again.
A great free roadside detour
I have visited several hot springs out West; Hobo Pool has been one of the best. Also, it is much rarer to find a good hot springs that is free – many are quite pricey. This one was large enough to accommodate plenty of people and the water was hotter than others, which was ideal for the winter weather. This is also the only one I have visited with no fee (the City of Saratoga maintains the pool). Consider a stop by Saratoga’s Hobo Pool on your next Western road trip!
Additional Details
Admission: Free (there is a donation box)
Hours: 24/7 all year
Address: 201 S. River St. Saratoga, WY 82331
More of the country’s quirkiest attractions
If you are into checking out the strange and unusual, then you will want to take a look at my guide to the most eclectic attractions in the US. I continue to add to this list with each new roadtrip, so I expect it to be pretty big in the future 🙂
