Major city · United States
Thermopolis
Give Thermopolis one full day and one night: soak at the free state-park bathhouse, see the Dinosaur Center, then drive on. Two nights only if you add Legend Rock.
Thermopolis is a small hot-springs town in Northwest Wyoming, built around Hot Springs State Park and one of the largest mineral springs anywhere. Most travellers stop for a night between Yellowstone and Casper, soak in the free bathhouse, and see the dinosaur museum. The town is walkable; the surrounding sites need a car.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some sites key-access only)
- Airports
- COD · CPR
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Thermopolis911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital (24 h ER)+1 307 864-3121
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Thermopolis, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA quiet, low-crime small town.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 307 864-3121 Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital (24 h ER)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCOD Yellowstone Regional (Cody) (Nearest commercial airport, about 1 h 30 min by car).
- Getting aroundThe town centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- BeerBrewpub burger with a beerTip 18–22% at sit-down places.$18–28
- Museum or sight ticketDinosaur Center entry$12–18 (check)
- Budget bedCampground or RV site, a night, per roomUS$30
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$140
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$140 · High US$220
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- COD Yellowstone Regional (Cody) (Nearest commercial airport, about 1 h 30 min by car) · CPR Casper–Natrona County (Next nearest, about 2 h 30 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Mar
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Apr
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
not flagged
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Thermopolis: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
5 rd
Feb
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
5 rd
Mar
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
6 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
7 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
6 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Sep
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
6 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
5 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
5 rd
Dec
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes. Hot Springs State Park is a short drive or a 20-minute walk from downtown. Legend Rock and Wind River Canyon need a car; there is no useful local bus.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Wind River Canyon
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way
Drive US 20/WY 789 south toward Shoshoni
Scenic byway along the river; pull-outs on the way south.
Boysen Reservoir
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive about 20 miles south on US 20
Swimming, fishing and boat ramps in summer.
Legend Rock State Petroglyph Site
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Drive 29 miles northwest via W Cottonwood Rd
92 panels, 300+ figures; sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.
Cody
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive WY 120 north
Better as a separate base for Yellowstone's east gate.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Broadway
Walk to the museum, brewpub and cafés; a few minutes' drive to the park.
Park-side (E Park St)
Hotel on the state-park grounds, walk to the bathhouse and bison pasture.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $70–110 excl. bed
- Mid
- $110–180 excl. bed
- High
- $180+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$140 | US$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140 | US$280 |
| Wyoming Dinosaur Center entry2 × US$15 · check | US$30 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$70 · check | US$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$55 |
| Trip total≈ US$303 per person per day, bed included | US$605 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Brewpub burger with a beerTip 18–22% at sit-down places. | $18–28 |
| Bathhouse soakState-park bathhouse, daylight hours. | Free |
| Dinosaur Center entry | $12–18 (check) |
| Motel double, summer weekend | $120–220 (check) |
| Tank of gas | $45–70 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Bison in the state park: view only from inside a vehicle, never on foot.
- Legend Rock is key-access October–April; pick up the key at the bathhouse, chamber or county museum.
- Winter driving on US 20/WY 789 can close with snow; check Wyoming road conditions before you set out.
- Cell coverage is patchy on the drive to Legend Rock and through Wind River Canyon.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital (24 h ER)
- +1 307 864-3121
Pocket card
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ThermopolisThermopolis
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Hospital ER (24 h)+1 307 864-3121
Embassy
No embassies here; nearest consulates are in Denver. US travellers: your state's services apply.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bathhouse soak: free, daylight hours (check)
- Dinosaur Center entry: about $12–18 (check)
- Cody (COD) → Thermopolis by car: about 1 h 30 min, roughly 90 miles
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the bathhouse? — Where is the bathhouse?
- Is it free? — Is it free?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Is the road open? — Is the road open?
Tipping is expected in restaurants and bars; 911 works everywhere.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Thermopolis. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, some sites key-access only) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for COD: last rental-car desk hours, drive time to Thermopolis, winter road fallback.
- Walking cluster: downtown, state park and bathhouse, Dinosaur Center, with opening hours verified.
- Legend Rock key-access fixture (Oct–Apr) so the day-trip rung can go green.
- Eat pages with last orders for the brewpub and the two cafés.
Sources
- officialTown of Thermopolis
- officialThermopolis visitor information
- officialWyoming State Parks — Hot Springs
- officialWyoming State Parks — Legend Rock
- officialWyoming Dinosaur Center
- officialHot Springs County Museum
- officialHot Springs County Memorial Hospital
- secondaryWikivoyage: Thermopolis, revision 5239106 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Thermopolis
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