Auburn Hot Springs
Auburn Hot Springs discharges water at 144°F in Wyoming's Salt River Range, making it one of the state's genuinely scalding thermal features outside of Yellowstone. Located just 25.5 meters from the nearest road at 6,080 feet elevation near Afton in Lincoln County, this roadside spring emerges 102.5 degrees above the ambient air temperature with high mineral content including 1,900 mg/L chloride and 1,400 mg/L sodium.
The spring flows in Lincoln County's Salt River Range at 6,080 feet elevation, where the landscape receives 24.8 inches of annual precipitation and 110.6 inches of snowfall in a climate averaging 41.5°F. The terrain features characteristic western Wyoming mountain topography with the Salt River corridor cutting through steep-sided valleys flanked by Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary formations. Mixed conifer forests of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and Engelmann spruce cover the surrounding slopes, with riparian vegetation marking drainage corridors. The area's geology reflects thrust-faulted sedimentary rocks that create pathways for deeply circulated groundwater to return to the surface as thermal springs.
Auburn Hot Springs takes its name from the nearby community of Auburn, one of several small settlements established in the Star Valley region during the late 19th century Mormon colonization of western Wyoming. The spring sits along what was once part of the Lander Cutoff of the Oregon Trail, evidenced by wagon ruts still visible near the Stump Creek Guard Station 7.6 kilometers away. Indigenous Shoshone and Bannock peoples likely knew and used these thermal waters during seasonal movements through the Salt River Range.
Visit during warmer months from June through September when mountain roads remain passable and snow has cleared from the surrounding terrain. Winter access becomes challenging with over 110 inches of annual snowfall creating substantial accumulations that persist into late spring at this 6,000-foot elevation. The spring's extreme 144°F temperature prevents bathing without significant dilution. Combine with nearby Stump Creek Guard Station visits to explore Oregon Trail history.
Is Auburn Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Observing powerful hot springs
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
Not ideal for
- Casual soaking
The water at Auburn Hot Springs is slightly acidic (pH 6.6). It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sodium (supports circulation and skin hydration).
Overview Stump Creek Guard Station is located along what was once the Lander Cutoff for the Oregon Trail. Visitors can trace the path that covered wagons traveled on over 150 years ago on their way to the Pacific Northwest. Wagon ruts are still carved into the soil. The guard station is accessible by car during warmer months, but guests should be prepared to ski, snowshoe or snowmobile more than a mile to reach he cabin in winter. Guest will need to bring much of their own supplies and gea...