Scenic Drives and Hot Springs in Carbon County

In southern Wyoming, you’ll discover a string of towns woven together by hot springs, outdoor recreation and a sense of wide-open spaces. Discover our top five reasons to explore the towns between Saratoga and Rawlins.

1. Soak in Hot Springs

In Saratoga, choose between two different hot springs experiences. The Hobo Hot Springs are free mineral pools and open 24 hours a day. At Saratoga Hot Springs Resort, only guests can access the teepee-covered mineral pools and 70-foot mineral hot spring pool.

It’s also home to the country’s only brewery with its own hot springs resort when you go to The Snowy Mountain Brewery.  Afterwards, dry off and sip great local microbrews in the Snowy Mountain Biergarten or indoor taproom that serves pub-style food from sandwiches and handmade pizza to grilled steak.

Spend the night in one of the rustic rooms at the on-site Saratoga Springs Resort. In the morning, play golf at the nine-hole public golf course that runs along the North Platte River. Or turn on the adventure by renting a UTV at the resort. Choose from UTVs that accommodate two-to-six passengers for half-day or full-day adventures.

2. Explore the Scenic Battle Pass Highway 70

Get off the beaten path to explore one of Carbon County’s most stunning and least-visited scenic drives: 57-mile-long Battle Highway. A scenic route that spans across the Sierra Madre Mountains from Encampment to Baggs, Wyoming, you’ll find breathtaking views and few crowds. If you’re looking for a road bike adventure, this route also has wide shoulders and little traffic so it’s a great option for those on two wheels. Visit historic sites like Battle ghost town and take in mountain views, mixed aspen and conifer forests and stop to hike at the many trailheads in Medicine Bow National Forest. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like deer, moose, pronghorn and bighorn sheep.

3. Spend the Night in a Historic Hotel

Spend the night at the historic Elk Mountain Hotel in Elk Mountain. Built in 1905, this storied 12-room hotel was a half-way point between Denver and Salt Lake City, welcoming guests like Louis Armstrong and Hank Thompson as they performed at the adjacent dance hall. Today, you’ll find charming rooms, in-house dining and a beautiful garden. In Saratoga, the Hotel Wolf has been an overnight stay for weary travelers since 1893.

4. Enjoy Local Food

For an unforgettable foodie excursion in southern Wyoming, book a stay at Brush Creek. This collection of luxury guest ranches offers several different accommodation options with activities like cattle drives, fly fishing and skiing, but for the gastronomically inclined, you’ll want to book an experience at The Farm.  With a greenhouse, distillery, creamery, bakery, wine cellar and more on-site, this isn’t your average restaurant. Book a full-day farm experience to go behind-the-scenes of this sustainable cattle ranch. The day includes a cooking class, gourmet private lunch, wine tasting and distillery tour. Or, choose from tons of individual culinary-focused experiences. Take a pasta making class, learn about cheesemaking and meet the farm’s goat herd or learn about growing your own food at the greenhouse.

Only have time for breakfast? Stop by Hen & Harvest in Saratoga which serves scratch-made meals using local ingredients. Try the Nutella French toast or the Cheyenne Omelet with ham, onions, poblano peppers and cheddar. For fine dining, stop by the Aspen House Restaurant, established in 1905 in downtown Rawlins for blackened ribeye or vegetarian dishes. Buck’s Sports Grill and Anong’s Thai Cuisine in Rawlins also are popular among locals.

5. Walk on the Continental Divide Trail

In Rawlins, you can walk a stretch of the Continental Divide Trail, which stretches from Canada to Mexico. Hop on the trail at Rawlins Spring Park at the intersection of West Davis and Bennett Streets.

For more information:
(800) 228-3547
wyomingcarboncounty.com