Mineral Hot Springs

The Saratoga "Hobo Hot Pool" is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. 
Open 24 hours a day seven days a week, and FREE to the public, the pool is owned and maintained by the Town of Saratoga.  There is a changing room with showers and bathroom facilities at the Hot Springs. 

Steam rising off the hot water Photo by V. Noel Hayes

The Hot pool is located on Walnut Street behind the public swimming pool.  From First Street (Hwy 130) turn east on Walnut.  Go through 4 way stop and follow road to end of road. You will see the swimming pool in front, there are sidewalks to the Hot Pool on each side of the swimming pool building. Original inhabitants of the Valley, the American Indians,  used the hot springs as a neutral area and believed that the hot springs had a healing power. The hot pool averages around 102 degrees  Fahrenheit from its coolest part to 128 degrees Fahrenheit to its warmest part of the pool. The pool is now used as a place to relax and enjoy.  We caution that you use good judgment when soaking in the hot springs.

• Avoiding smoking in the hot pool, as you can pass out due to constriction of blood vessels

• If you are over 50 or have high blood pressure avoid soaking for more than 10 minutes at a time

• Stay hydrated while soaking, bring a bottle of water when you come for a soak

• Avoid drinking alcohol before soaking (alcohol is prohibited at the hot pool)

• If you are feeling lightheaded, get out of the pool and have someone get you some water

Mineral Content of the Saratoga Hot Pool Silica - 4.987 grains per gallon (gpg); Iron and Aluminum - .0227 gpg; Lithia - trace; Potash - 6.467 gpg ; soda - 20.463 gpg; Lime - 28.067 gpg; Magnesia - 6.478 gpg; Hydrochloric Acid - 20.749 gpg; Sulphuric Acid - 29.205 gpg; Carbonic Acid - 17.789 gpg; Less oxygen equivalent to chlorine - 4.665 gpg

 

 The Hot Pool Accessibility Project

The Saratoga Hobo Hot Pool is a wonderful resource.

 The Hot Pool Accessibility Project is to build an ADA bath house facility and pool. Please contact the Town of Saratoga at 307-326-8335 for all inquiries.

The present pool, which is fed by a spring, will not be affected or changed.

 After considering the logistics at length with the Town Engineer, Charles Bartlett, this project was approved by the City Council on April 1, 2008.  The project includes a community fund raising campaign followed by application for a 50/50 matching Community Enhancement Grant available through the Wyoming Business Council. The project’s preliminary cost estimate is $250,000.  The project will use local contractors and suppliers. 

There is a well that is currently used solely for heat exchange, and has been for many years. It is used for the sidewalks at the Hot Pool in the winter, and for the swimming pool in the summer. The effluent from this heat exchange system will be the source for this new, much smaller, cooler pool; this is water that is currently released into the river.

 

• The existing building will be razed and replaced it with an ADA facility.
• The pump rooms will get new pumps, heat exchangers, fittings, etc.
• Each dressing room will have two showers, two toilets, lockers with keys, a baby changing station, and possibly a mirror.
• Access to a drinking fountain and an emergency phone is also planned.
• The new pool, 10 ft by 20 ft, will be just to the East of the present pool. 
• The water will be at ground level, at the same elevation as the dressing rooms. 
• There will be sidewalks, privacy walls around the new pool, a foot path, and steps to the river.

                        Thank you project planners.