Hobo Pool

Hobo Pool is the free public hot spring pool in Saratoga, Wyoming, on the banks of the North Platte River in the town's City Park. The Town of Saratoga owns and maintains it, and its facility page currently reads "The Hobo Pool is open." The Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce says the pool is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year, and free to the public, with a bathhouse that has showers and restrooms. Carbon County's visitors council also calls it free and open around the clock, with restrooms and changing facilities on site. The chamber puts the main pool at around 106°F at its coolest part and 119°F at its warmest. Carbon County describes water from 101 to 110 degrees across the pool, with the Lobster Pot at one end a steamy 120°F. A smaller Not-So-Hot pool was added later and averages about 100°F, according to the chamber's member listing. NOAA's thermal springs list records Saratoga Hot Springs at 129°F at the source. Behind the pool, Carbon County notes several thermal seeps on the riverbank, where primitive rock rings trap runoff from Hobo Pool and the seeps to make hot pools beside the North Platte. The town's rules are short. Bathing outfits are required. Open containers and alcohol, smoking or tobacco in any form, and glass containers are not allowed. There is a picnic area behind the pool. The Saratoga Municipal Swimming Pool next door is a separate, seasonal outdoor pool, open from late May until early September, with its own hours and swim rates; call the town for those. To get there, the chamber says to turn east on Walnut Street from First Street, which is Highway 130, and go two blocks to the end of the road. The swimming pool building is in front, and sidewalks on each side of it lead to Hobo Pool behind. The town describes the water as a natural hot spring that tribes once believed had healing powers, laying down their weapons to share it in peace.

Sources: townofsaratoga.org, saratogachamber.info, saratogaplatte.chambermaster.com, carboncountywy.com, doi.pangaea.de

A drivable road (sedan / 2wd) passes within a quarter mile of Hobo Pool in Saratoga, Wyoming. Community-pool development, on the operator's own site. Reported temperature on this listing is 106°F. The price band on file is free and the listing records restrooms and showers. Plan on clothing required, on the operator's own site.