Needle Hot Springs
Needle Hot Springs discharges at 75 degrees Fahrenheit—32 degrees above ambient—along Buffalo Bill Reservoir's shoreline at 5,038 feet elevation in Wyoming's Buffalo Bill Reservoir State Park. The spring sits just 17 meters from the nearest road, making it one of the most accessible thermal features in Park County. Recent USGS sampling recorded pH of 7.0 and elevated total dissolved solids at 1,400 mg/L.
The spring emerges on state park land adjacent to Buffalo Bill Reservoir near Cody, managed by the Bureau of Reclamation at the interface between water and high-desert terrain. At 5,038 feet elevation, the setting experiences 19 inches of annual precipitation with 63 inches of snowfall, creating a relatively moderate climate for Wyoming's thermal springs. The reservoir dominates the immediate landscape, with the spring flowing virtually roadside into the impounded waters of the Shoshone River. Surrounding vegetation reflects the semi-arid conditions typical of Park County's intermediate elevation zones.
The spring takes its name from the needle-like formations or narrow discharge points characteristic of its emergence. Documentation of the spring's history remains limited in available records, though its location within Buffalo Bill Reservoir State Park ties it to the early 20th-century dam construction that created the reservoir. The Bureau of Reclamation continues to manage the surrounding lands under state park designation with Protection Status 3, allowing public access while permitting extractive uses.
The roadside location allows year-round vehicle access without hiking, though winter snow may temporarily close park roads. Summer and fall provide the most reliable conditions for visiting. Buffalo Bill Reservoir State Park charges standard state park entrance fees. The 75-degree temperature prohibits bathing but permits observation. Hogan and Luce Campground lies 32 kilometers away with five campsites and horse facilities near two reservoirs.
Is Needle Hot Springs worth visiting?
Best for
- Easy day trips
- Overnight camping trips
- Mineral-rich therapeutic bathing
The water at Needle Hot Springs is neutral (pH 7.0) with 1400 mg/L total dissolved solids. It is notably rich in calcium (may support bone density and joint health), magnesium (known for muscle relaxation and stress relief), and sulfate (traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation).
The Hogan and Luce Campground has five individual camp sites and one group site. It is located near two reservoirs. The campground next to the Hogan Reservoir has picnic tables, toilet facilities, bear-proof food storage boxes, grills/fire rings, horse trailer parking, horse stanchions, a boat ramp and hitching rails.