Two hours' drive south-east of Cody is the spa of Thermopolis (pop. 5000), founded in 1896, with one of the most abundant hot springs in the western hemisphere (36 gallons per second; 135 F).
The majority of items date from the 1880s through the 1930s at the Hot Springs Museum. Highlights of the collection include a sightseeing stagecoach of the type used in Yellowstone park until 1914, a one-room schoolhouse, Native American artifacts, a log cabin from the ghost town of Andersonville, and an elk hide painting created by Chief Washakie of the Shoshoni in 1900.
If you are feeling a little tight and sore, then a stop in at Hot Springs State Park might just be in order. The springs produce hot water at a rate of 18,000 gallons per hour. The park has a bathhouse where the water is maintained at a constant temperature of 104 degrees. Also in the park are a walking trail, a bison herd, and petrogylphs.
The Legend Rock Petroglyphs span a period of 500AD to the 19th century. There are 283 pictures on the sandstone cliffs that provide a record of the numerous prehistoric groups that lived in the area. The figures at Legend Rock include animals, human figures, spears and bows. The game animal drawings feature elk, deer, buffalo, mountain sheep, dog, rabbit, turtle, and eagles. The human figures have individual headresses or hairstyles.
The Wind River Canyon is one of the most scenic drives in the United States. This 33-mile trip takes visitors through the canyon and ends at Thermopolis and Hot Springs State Park. Canyon walls tower overhead to a height of 2200 feet as the river drops an astounding 200 feet in 11 miles.
Fans of the Jurassic Park movies will want to be sure to stop in at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. This well done attraction features a wide range of dinosaurs posed in their natural stances. Coupled with displays spread over 12,000 square feet are informative descriptions giving the background and history of the animals featured.
Address: Wyoming Dinosaur Center, 110 Carter Ranch Road, Box 868, Thermopolis, WY 82443-2457, United States
Phone: 1 (307) 864-2997, Fax: 1 (307) 864-5762
Hours:
May 1 to September 30: 8am-6pm
October 1 to April 30: 10am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Admission includes museum and dig site. Admission to museum only available.