Wyoming's Carbon County Promotes Outdoor Recreation
Wyoming's Carbon County is being promoted for its trails, hot springs, and rivers by @TrvlTasteTour as a destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The area offers diverse recreation opportunities combining hiking, natural hot springs, and river activities in a less crowded setting.
A focus on outdoor recreation in Carbon County is backed by significant economic impact, with domestic and international travelers spending $263 million in the county in 2023. This spending generated $15.1 million in local and state taxes and supported 1,730 jobs. A major draw for visitors is the town of Saratoga's Hobo Hot Springs, which is free and open to the public 24 hours a day, year-round. The natural mineral water is divided into pools with temperatures ranging from 101 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, offering a rustic and accessible wellness experience that has attracted people for centuries. The North Platte River, which flows through the county, is designated as a "blue ribbon" trout stream, attracting anglers from all over the world. For boaters and rafters, there are 12 public access points in the Saratoga, Encampment, and Riverside areas alone, opening up everything from calm scenic floats to extreme whitewater in Northgate Canyon. For hikers, the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) runs directly through Carbon County, passing through the unique Great Divide Basin—a landscape where the Divide splits and precipitation doesn't flow to either ocean. The trail is accessible near the town of Rawlins, which has been designated as a CDT Gateway Community. Beyond the famous CDT, the Medicine Bow National Forest provides numerous other hiking opportunities. Trails such as the Medicine Bow Peak Trail, which ascends to an elevation of 12,013 feet, offer panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. Other notable trails include the Dipper Lake Trail and the Platte River Trail.
