Saratoga Hot Springs is also called Hobo Springs and the story is that it got this name because those who were not able to afford the lodge on the opposite side of the river waded across the river to the island and south bank where they found several hot spring sources along the river′s bank.

In time, the hobo hot springs became well known and many would travel to enjoy the easy access to the south bank hot springs. Eventually, the town of Saratoga constructed an enclosure around the hot spring source, which came to be called the lobster pot. They also constructed a larger pool with slightly cooler water. Some time later, a third even cooler pool was later added on the site. There is also a discharge pipe into the river which have several shallow pools. The above temperatures of each pool are an average as there are some variances in these temperatures from year to year.

At about the same time as the pools were being constructed, the city also constructed a bath house complete with hot showers, toilets and a dressing room area.

One of the best features about Hobo Hot Springs is that it is free to visit and is normally open twenty-four seven. However, there is no overnight camping on the property.

Located in Saratoga, Wyoming on the east side of the highway at the eastern end of Walnut street on the south bank of the North Platte river,

Adults: Free

Seniors: Free

Adults: Free

Seniors: Free

Source: 118° Lobster Pot

Main Pool: 110-112°    (2024: 105.0°)

Small Pool: 105-106°   (2024: 111.9°)

Cool Pool: 98-102° River Pools

Rating Guide Selections: C2, D1, H1, P1, S1, T2, W1

Awake, climb into the front seat, start the engine, drive to the w-mart for a quick stop to use the facilities and then I return to the jammer, drive out of the parking lot, turn right on US 287 and drive north along the highway with the Great Plains on my right to the east with the foothills of the Rockies on my left. I continue in the foothills all the way to Wyoming and after crossing into Wyoming, continue in the Rocky Mountain foothills to Laramie.

Once, I arrive in Laramie, Wyoming, I turn right onto IH 80 and drive to the exit 316 and take Grand Avenue to the Tumbleweed Express af-mart where I fill up my fuel tank for $2.99 per gallon, the cheapest I have seen gasoline in many days. I found this low-prices af-mart several years ago and keep coming back here. Then, I drive on Grand Avenue the rest of the way through Laramie and drive under the IH 80 overpass onto SH 130 westbound, the Snowy Range Scenic Highway through the Medicine Bow National Forest, but after driving about five miles, I see a sign informing me that SH 130 is closed in about 30 miles west of here. So, I make a u-turn, return the five miles back to IH 80 where I get back on IH 80 at entrace # 311 and then continue my travels west on the interstate for some 76 miles where I take exit 235, and here turn back onto the other end of SH 130.

After I drive the twenty-one miles south into Saratoga, Wyoming, I stop at the Hobo Hot Springs for some soak time in this free hot pool.

The temperature configuration is different today than it was the last time I came, which was in May of 2022. At that time, the Main Pool was 112 degrees and Small Pool was 106 degrees. Today, these pool temperatures were switched. This would indicate to me that the management has control of the temperatures in each of the pools.

After the hot soak, I gather my things and walk up the stairs to the mens dressing room, which room also has a hot shower. I take off my wet shorts, grab my soap and then get into the hot shower to lather up and clean off any remaining dirt and/or body oil, after which I don clean, dry clothes.

Then, I pack out of the hot springs, drive to main street, which is SH 130 and stop at a local restaurant for my breakfast. Soon after, I am back on the road, driving first north on SH 130 back to IH 80 and here turn left and then continue my drive west for another 135 miles and arrive in Rock Springs, Wyoming.

Awake, drive to the w-mart and begin studying for the meeting later this morning. Then, shortly before nine this morning, I connect to the Centerville, Tennessee congregation meeting. After the meeting, I stay for a short time to talk with some of the friends.

Later, I begin to catch up on my journal writing until about noon when I pack out, drive back down Grand Avenue to IH 80, turn right and then drive west on this interstate for just over eighty miles where I exit 235 and turn south on SH 130, drive twenty-one miles to Saratoga, then left on Walnut street to the end of the street and stop at the Hobo hot springs. I then get out a clean change of clothes, my towel, my shower bag and then walk to the rear of the swimming pool facility where the hot springs is located.

Upon arriving, I see that the hot springs is packed with people, more so than I have ever seen it before. It is at this point that I decide not to get into the hot spring water but just to use the hot shower facility to put on the clean.

Awake, drive to the w-mart for coffee, com and a cup of Daystart. I begin my journal entry for not only this morning, but the last couple of days because I have been doing so much driving. When, I become caught up, I leave for Saratoga Hot Springs, which leaving does not happen until just after midday.

I drive out to IH 15, turn west and and begin my drive to Saratoga and upon arriving, find the hot spring pools open but the changing rooms and showers still closed. Nevertheless, I still grab my day pack, stuff it with my towel, camera and a change of clothes, walk to the hot spring and get into the hot water. I only stay for about a half an hour, then walk back to the jammer, rinse off with bottled spring water, dry off, put on the change of clean clothes and then put my gear away.

During my 2109 northbound travel, I stayed here in Grand Junction for nearly a month awaiting for it to warm up enough to move into Wyoming. While waiting, I traveled to Aurora, Colorado for the Regional Convention and overnighted in the same parking lot with Gordon. Then, on Monday, 03 June, after coffee, com and some key pounding, I return to the jammer and begin my drive to Saratoga, Wyoming. Much of the drive there is on highways that I have never driven before and at mid-day arrive at the hot springs.

After soaking for a couple of hours, I go into the bath house, take a hot shower, put on clean clothes and head back to the jammer.

Upon leaving Hobo Hot Springs, I stop briefly at the river to take a photo.

Then, I drive north out of Saratoga on SH 130 to IH 80, then turn east to Rawlings, Wyoming where I stop to refill my gas tank because the gas is always twenty cents or more cheaper here than anywhere else in Wyoming. In fact, I fill up for 2.659 per gallon here, where elsewhere gas is 2.89 to 2.99 per gallon.

Leaving the gas pump, I continue driving west on IH 80 and arrive in Rock Springs, Wyoming before six this evening, stop at the w-mart and update my journal.

Finally, I drive to the d-mart to park for the evening.

Up during sunglow and begin driving immediately north on SH 125, to Walton where I stop for a cup of hot to go and then continue north on SH 125 to Wyoming where the highway number changes to 230 and drive to Encampment, Wyoming on SH 70 which I take up into the Sierra Madre Mountain range to Battle Pass, and stop to read the info boards about the Continental Divide Trail.

After taking a few photos at the pass, I drive back down on the Atlantic side through Encampment and then north on SH230 to Saratoga, Wyoming. Once arriving in this small community, I drive directly to the Saratoga hot springs, a free facility with three pools.