The beautiful state of Wyoming is home to many of the nation's finest places, whether they be restaurants, natural attractions or geological wonders. Perhaps we're a bit biased, but Hot Springs State Park may just be the finest state park in all the nation. Not only does it have some of the natural spring characteristics of Yellowstone National Park, but it also has its own unique features. For starters, it happens to be built around the largest mineral hot spring in the world. Learn more about what makes this breathtaking site so spectacular.
Hot Springs State Park is located in Thermopolis, Wyoming. This state-owned recreational area is famous for its hot springs that reach a temperature of nearly 140 degrees.
In 1896, the federal government purchased from the Arapahoe a 100-square-mile parcel of land which now includes the park. Just one year later, the land was developed into Wyoming’s first state park, under the name of Big Horn Hot Springs State Reserve.
One of the first things visitors will notice about this state park is the herd of bison that resides there. These animals are carefully managed by the state and appear as majestic as the landscape. Other features include plenty of boat docks, picnic tables, shelters, and gardens. You’ll also be able to observe terraces created naturally by the travertine, an effect of the mineral springs.
The park's main attraction, aptly named Big Spring, spurs forth millions of gallons of mineral water each day. This fountain of constantly flowing water creates something of a cauldron. Some of the water is channeled into smaller pools where it can cool off slightly and serve as the water for the park's spa-like bathhouses.
Other portions of the water flow out from another stream into the Rainbow Terrace and feed into the Big Horn River. As seen in the photograph above, this scene is simply mesmerizing any time of year. And the park's indoor and outdoor bathhouses ensure that the warm waters can be enjoyed during any season.
Photographed above is the "Teepee Fountain," which was established in 1909 as a vertical pipe for the mineral water flowing throughout the area. Here you can see how this constant flow creates the beautiful natural coloring of the travertine.
And just 25 miles north of the park is another noteworthy feature of the land, known as Legend Rock. This historic site features several ancient petroglyphs, whose origins have yet to be determined.
As you might imagine, Hot Springs State Park is a local favorite, attracting considerably fewer tourists than the state's national parks. You can soak your worries away in the thermal waters, or explore the beautifully maintained trails and grounds. Whether you have an afternoon or a whole weekend to spend in this amazing spot, it's sure to make for a visit you won't soon forget.
With so much alpine foliage to explore in fall, Wyoming's Red Hills might not be the first place you think of when planning a late-season outing. But after all that gorgeous color starts to fade, this lesser-known region offers a brilliant palette of red rock and rolling desert vistas that pop beautifully against the clear blue skies and soft golds of autumn long after the last leaf has fallen. The Red Hills are tucked away in the Jackson Hole Valley, right up against the Gros Ventre Range near the small town of Kelly, marked by spectacular, iron-rich formations and sandstone mesas that just beg for exploration. They're gorgeous in every season! But there's no denying that these rust-colored hills and buttes take on a different kind of magic in fall that makes them a perfect last-minute destination for hiking, off-roading, and exploring Wyoming’s wild, wide-open spaces on a gorgeous autumn road trip.
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Even at an elevation of around 6,000 feet and just a short drive from Jackson, unlike the alpine settings Wyoming is known for, the Red Hills landscape is a mix of rolling, red-rock bluffs and sagebrush flats. The area's unique red hue comes from its rich iron content, which over millennia has oxidized to create photogenic, rust-colored formations that contrast beautifully with the forested mountains in the distance.
Even from a distance, the Red Hills introduce you to Wyoming’s high desert ecology, which includes unique flora and fauna suited to the harsher, dryer landscape. Rabbitbrush and a scattering of gold-leafed trees dominate the hillsides, while the last vestiges of wildflowers, like Indian paintbrush, add bright red accents that match the rusty rocks.
Like many of Wyoming's grandiose rock formations, the Red Hills’ geology is as intriguing as the scenery. The hills' saturated layers are part of the massive Gros Ventre Formation, which dates all the way back to the Paleozoic era. They're part of an exposed sandstone deposit leftover from when most of the region was underwater roughly 50 million years ago.
Close up of the Red Hills and yellow aspen and evergreen trees in Kelly, Teton National Forest, Wyoming.
While every season here is beautiful, autumn is extra special as the desert foliage polka dots the hills with warm pops of color. But what makes this spot even better is that you don't have to worry if you miss peak fall colors — the hills themselves have all the fiery seasonal colors you could hope for, especially for those who dare to venture beyond the main road.
Even better? You don't have to head off-trail to enjoy the autumn scenery. Gros Ventre Road is engineered in such a way that immediately after coming around a small bend in the road, a dramatic view of the hills overwhelms you with a sense of natural beauty and wonder. A pullout is conveniently located at that exact location so that you can fully appreciate the view. You'll see golden treetops dotting the nooks and crannies of the hills in some of the most picture-perfect desert scenes you could hope for. Along the way, the gorgeous drive leads you past quiet lakes and expansive ranches, all boasting vibrant autumn hues.
Dirt road in Bridger-Teton National forest leads to red hills of western Wyoming.
Though much of the Red Hills remains unmarked, for those who love a little route-finding adventure, the area offers a unique, trail-less approach to hiking. One popular spot to start your hike is the access point off Gros Ventre Road, where gravel tracks lead into the hills. From here, it’s easy to wander through small canyons, open sagebrush flats, and up the rolling terrain to get a better view of the valley below.
The area is steeped in recent history as well, from the Native American tribes who traversed the sagebrush terrain to the homesteaders who established Jackson Hole’s earliest settlements. Just a few miles away, the small town of Kelly offers a sobering reminder of the area’s natural power. In 1925, the Gros Ventre Slide — a massive landslide from the nearby mountains — dammed the Gros Ventre River, creating Lower Slide Lake. The slide buried much of the valley, and when the dam broke in 1927, a devastating flood swept through the area, impacting Kelly and altering the landscape forever.
Today, visitors can see the scars of the slide in the form of massive boulders and debris scattered around the valley and near Slide Lake. The hills near Lower Slide Lake feature a fantastic mix of red rock and hardy sagebrush, creating some of the most photogenic spots in the area. You can also explore Crystal Creek and some of the trails that weave through this part of the Gros Ventre Wilderness, where the elevation and views change subtly as you move deeper into the hills and into the Bridger-Teton National Forest.
Landscape image of the colorful Red Hills and brush in Kelly, Wyoming.
Other trails in the Red Hills include the aptly named Red Hills Trail and the family-friendly Shadow Mountain Trail, along with more challenging treks like Grizzly and Blue Miner Lakes.
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Beyond hiking and off-roading, there are plenty of other activities to make the most of your fall adventure in the Red Hills. Photography enthusiasts will find endless opportunities to capture the stunning landscapes, from sunrise over the hills to the play of light and shadow on the rock formations. Birdwatchers can spot a variety of species, including golden eagles, peregrine falcons, and the occasional migratory waterfowl. Look out for the mule deer, pronghorn, and small critters like sagebrush lizards and rabbits that make this desert habitat their home.
Now, at this point, if you feel like you've explored similar red buttes elsewhere in Wyoming, you're absolutely right! While from a different formation, the Red Hills near Dubois are comprised of similarly aged and hued features, and the area around Rock Springs offers even more vibrant natural wonders like Boars Tusk, Flaming Gorge, and one of our state's many Chimney Rock formations (seriously, how are there so many?).
But the Red Hills on the outskirts of the Tetons have that perfect blend of alpine and low-country scenery that is simply breathtaking, with no shortage of Wind River mountain peaks dotting the horizon.
When it comes to fall foliage hotspots in Wyoming, the Red Hills in western Wyoming don't often make the list, but they should! There’s something invigorating about being surrounded by these natural colors and contours, a quiet side of the Tetons with few, if any other, visitors around. It's an unexpectedly magical experience that feels miles away from Jackson’s crowds and the iconic views of the Tetons. Here, the landscape has its own quiet beauty, with stark colors and unique formations that stand out under the fall light. If you’re looking for a quiet place to experience Wyoming’s wild late-season autumn beauty away from the crowds, the Red Hills offers a rugged, real taste of the state’s high desert that’s all your own!
If you’re craving a hidden gem hike that’s equal parts wild and scenic, with a dash of history and a whole lot of Wyoming wilderness, the Encampment River Trail might just be calling your name. Nestled in the state's southern reaches, this gem of a trail offers the kind of raw, unfiltered beauty that Wyoming does best: jagged mountains, rushing rivers, and more wildlife than you can shake a trekking pole at. Starting from the trailhead at Odd Fellows Campground, the Encampment River Trail is a beautiful, yet surprisingly overlooked trek that hugs the riverbanks and gives you front-row seats to some of Wyoming’s best natural wonders.
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The Encampment River Trail is a roughly 15-mile out-and-back hike, tracing the path of the Encampment River through the Encampment River Wilderness. While it's the smallest wilderness area in Wyoming, it's definitely not short on beauty! The river winds through a lush canyon with towering cliffs, evergreen forests, and wide-open skies, which means this trail has a little bit of everything. You'll find thick stands of pine and spruce to sagebrush-strewn meadows, plus the occasional dramatic vista where the canyon walls open up to reveal the rugged landscape in all its glory.
From the get-go at Odd Fellows Campground, you’re greeted by the burbling sounds of the river, which you’ll be following for much of the hike. The river itself is crystal clear, and if you’re an angler (or just a fishing enthusiast), you might spot brown and rainbow trout darting beneath the surface. While the trail is generally flat, there are a few elevation gains here and there, but nothing too strenuous — just enough to keep things interesting and give you a better view of the scenery.
As you hike along the river, the canyon walls occasionally close in, creating narrow, intimate stretches where the river rushes by at your feet. Other times, the landscape opens up and you’ll find yourself in wide, sun-drenched meadows where wildflowers bloom in the warmer months. In the fall, the trail is transformed into a canvas of gold, with aspens lighting up the landscape in fiery hues. This is one hike you'll want to do in every season!
The wildlife along the trail doesn’t disappoint either. Mule deer, elk, and the occasional moose are known to frequent the area, and if you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you feel about it), you might even spot a black bear ambling through the trees. The canyon is also home to plenty of smaller critters like chipmunks, marmots, and a variety of birds. Birdwatchers should keep their eyes peeled for golden eagles soaring overhead and osprey diving for fish in the river.
One of the coolest aspects of the Encampment River Trail is its connection to the region’s history. This whole region was once the site of a booming copper mining industry in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While the mines have long since closed, remnants of this era are still scattered throughout the area. Along the trail, you might even stumble across old cabin remnants or rusting mining equipment — ghosts of a bygone era when the canyon was bustling with prospectors and miners hoping to strike it rich.
For the most part, the Encampment River Trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it accessible for hikers of all skill levels. The path is relatively flat for the first few miles, though it does get a bit more rugged and rocky as you head deeper into the canyon. There are a few creek crossings to navigate, so be prepared to get your feet wet, especially in the spring when the snowmelt is at its peak. (Pro tip: waterproof boots are your friend here!)
If you’re planning to tackle the whole 15 miles in one go, it’s a good idea to pack for a full day of hiking. But don’t worry if you’re more of a casual hiker; the first few miles of the trail offer plenty of rewarding scenery, so you can turn around at any point and still feel like you’ve gotten your dose of nature. If you’re up for it, though, the trail also makes a great overnight backpacking trip, with several dispersed camping spots along the way where you can pitch a tent and enjoy the sounds of the river as you drift off to sleep. The trail also connects to a few others in the area, like Purgatory Gulch.
The Encampment River itself was an essential lifeline for these early settlers, providing water and a means of transportation for goods. As you walk the trail, it’s easy to imagine what life might have been like for those hardy souls who called this wild, remote corner of Wyoming home.
Ready to explore? The trailhead at Odd Fellows Campground is located just south of the small town of Encampment, which is about a 30-minute drive from Saratoga, Wyoming. From Encampment, you’ll head down Forest Service Road 550, which will lead you right to the campground and the start of the trail. The road is gravel but usually in decent condition, and doable for most vehicles. Once you arrive, you’ll find ample parking and basic facilities, including picnic tables and vault toilets. It’s a great spot to relax, eat a fuel-up meal, and maybe even chat with fellow hikers before hitting the trail. You can also stay the night if you'd rather get an early start!
The Encampment River Trail may not have the fame of some of Wyoming’s bigger-name hikes, but it’s exactly this off-the-beaten-path vibe that makes it so special. There’s something magical about a trail that feels like your own private slice of wilderness, and if you ask us, it’s the perfect excuse to grab your gear, lace up your boots, and hit the trail!
