Winter brings cooler to frigid weather across the USA. Yet the air may be cold, even snow on the ground. Ice cycles on your roof gutters. Do not despair… Thermal Springs operate every day, 24 hours, day or night and many are worth visiting. Free or with an admission fee.
I was trying to clean off some shelves and rediscovered: Thermal Springs List for the United States (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Key to Geophysical Records Documentation No. 12 - compiled by George W. Berry, Paul J. Grim and Joy A. Ikelman, June 1980.
This was put together by the National Geographical and Solar Terrestrial Data Center, Boulder, Colorado. It also states “Copies of this Publication, including three maps, are available FREE of Charge from: NOAA/NGSDC Datamapping Group, Code D64, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80303
Do not ‘hold your breath’ if this is no long available in paper… but try the Ebook and Internet for a download of YOUR STATE or where you are interested in going.
Yellowstone, of course, has many. Just not the kind of Hot Spring for jumping into… although they are ALL listed.
Our FAVORITE Hot Spring is in Saratoga, Wyoming. They also have a swimming pool. The Hot Spring is flowing thousands of gallons of water a day into the North Platte River. If it is not HOT enough on the edges, you can go where the water is flowing from Underground. In winter… a fog persists and blows off like clouds. It use to be free Saratoga Hobo Hot Springs. It still may be free and had free public showers.
Fun, Travel and Adventure... I say.
You can look it all up on the Internet.
The majority of Hot Springs, aka Thermal Springs are not all considered hot… but luke warm, begin at the Rocky Mountain Front Range and west, from north to south.
Some on the west side of the Appalachians. Central Arkansas at Hot Springs. Southwest Texas along the north side of the Rio Grand River. By the time you get to the 104th meridian west… lots and if you draw a line, north to south from Yellowstone Park… hundreds into California.
This Post is already long, but if you are looking for a Hot Spring in your State… make a post and inquire. Many may be familiar to fellow Airstreamers.
Hot Springs, South Dakota has a huge swimming pool for the kids and adults. The southern Black Hills. Many are commercialized for good reason. Some are enjoyed for the MUD. Some for the Sulfur. Be prepared to rinse yourself off with YOUR own fresh water. Some in Nevada are mud bubblers. Driving down some county gravel road you can see steamers coming out of the ground along the road.
Some Nevada 'thermal springs' are mud pits in the desert, but may have good therapeutic ingredients, unknown to me.
Google: Thermal Springs List For the United States. I have the paper copy and maps. The information includes State, Latitude, Longitude, Spring Name, Temperature in C and F, USGS Professional Paper 492, USGS Circular 790, Map that can be purchased name.
Some Hot Springs are boiling hot… and others warm. If you can give some examples of Hot Springs you have visiting, please add to this Thread. This is for everyone and some Springs are remote and abandoned. Even Boulder Canyon has ‘Thermal Springs’ hikers lay into. They are mildly warm. Small for up to four people. The 2016 Wyoming Adventure has a Thermal Spring / Swimming Pool (Granite Hot Springs & Camp) 30 miles south of Jackson and also near some OTG Boondocking sites.
Any Questions… this what OUR Forum is for. There is a cure for everything and a Hot Spring is safe and can actually be good for you.