Hot Springs County

The county was created in 1911 from portions of Fremont, Big Horn, and Park counties and was named for the famous hot springs located in Thermopolis, home to Hot Springs State Park, which features the world's largest mineral hot springs. The Big Horn River flows through the county, creating the spectacular Wind River Canyon, a major scenic attraction. Hot Springs County is also known for the Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig Sites, one of the few dinosaur museums in the world where visitors can participate in active digs.

The county's economy historically relied on agriculture, ranching, and mineral extraction, though tourism has become increasingly important. County government offices are centralized in Thermopolis at the Hot Springs County Courthouse, located at 415 Arapahoe Street. Key county offices include the Hot Springs County Clerk, who maintains vital records and election administration; the Hot Springs County Recorder, responsible for land and property documents; and the Hot Springs County Assessor, who handles property valuations and tax assessments.

The county operates under Wyoming's county government structure with elected commissioners, and serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park and other regional attractions.

Arrest records and booking information in Hot Springs County are public records available under Wyoming's Public Records Act, codified at Wyoming Statute § 16-4-201 et seq. The Hot Springs County Detention Center houses inmates arrested within the county, and current inmate information can be obtained by calling the Sheriff's Office directly at (307) 864-3496, as the county does not currently maintain a comprehensive online inmate roster. No tribal law enforcement agencies operate within Hot Springs County boundaries, as the county does not contain reservation land, though the Wind River Indian Reservation lies to the south in neighboring Fremont County.

For emergencies throughout Hot Springs County, citizens should dial 911, which is dispatched through the county's consolidated dispatch center serving all law enforcement and emergency services.

The Hot Springs County Circuit Court shares the same courthouse address and phone number. Municipal Court in Thermopolis handles town ordinance violations, traffic citations issued within town limits, and other municipal matters; contact the Thermopolis Town Hall at (307) 864-3515 for Municipal Court information. Wyoming court records are presumptively open to the public under Wyoming Statute § 1-39-103 and the Wyoming Public Records Act (§ 16-4-201 et seq.), though certain records involving juveniles, adoption, and mental health proceedings may be sealed.

The Wyoming Judicial Branch maintains an online case search system called WYSEARCH, accessible through the Wyoming Judicial Branch website at courts.wyo.gov, though users must create an account and some case details require payment of fees. In-person searches of court records can be conducted at the Clerk of District Court office in Thermopolis during business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Case filings, judgments, and docket information are generally available, though access to sealed or confidential records requires a court order.

The Hot Springs County Assessor's Office, also located at 415 Arapahoe Street, phone (307) 864-3518, maintains property tax assessment records, ownership information, parcel maps, and property valuations for all real property in the county. Hot Springs County does not currently offer a comprehensive online property records search system, and most records research must be conducted in person or by contacting the Clerk's office directly. However, some property tax information may be available through inquiry to the Assessor's office.

The Hot Springs County Treasurer, located at the same courthouse address, phone (307) 864-3314, handles property tax collection and can provide information on tax payment status, delinquencies, and tax sale properties. Most land records from approximately 1911 forward (when the county was created) are available, with earlier records for the area potentially located in the parent counties from which Hot Springs County was formed. The county does not maintain a public GIS mapping portal, though parcel information and maps can be reviewed at the Assessor's office during regular business hours, typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Marriage license records are public, while birth and death certificates have restricted access limited to family members, legal representatives, and those with documented tangible interest. The Wyoming Department of Health Vital Records Services, located in Cheyenne, serves as the state repository for all Wyoming vital records and can be contacted at (307) 777-7591 or online at health.wyo.gov/familyhealth/vitalrecords. VitalChek, an authorized third-party vendor, offers online ordering for Wyoming vital records at vitalchek.com with additional service fees.

Divorce records in Hot Springs County are maintained by the Clerk of District Court at the Hot Springs County Courthouse and are available to parties of the divorce, their attorneys, or others with a legitimate legal interest. Applicants for vital records must complete the appropriate application form and provide acceptable identification such as a driver's license or passport.

For formal business entity formation and registration, the Wyoming Secretary of State's Office maintains the statewide business entity database, accessible online at wyobiz.wyo.gov, where users can search for corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships, trade names, and other business entities registered in Wyoming. The Secretary of State's office is located at 200 West 24th Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82002-0020, phone (307) 777-7311. Wyoming does not impose a state income tax on businesses, making it an attractive jurisdiction for business formation.

Professional licenses for occupations such as contractors, healthcare providers, cosmetologists, and real estate agents are issued by their respective Wyoming state licensing boards, not at the county level. Building permits, zoning compliance, and land use approvals in unincorporated Hot Springs County are handled by the Hot Springs County Planning and Zoning office, which can be contacted through the County Commissioners' office at (307) 864-3515. Within Thermopolis town limits, building permits are issued by the Town of Thermopolis, phone (307) 864-3515.

The Thermopolis-Hot Springs County Chamber of Commerce, located at 220 Park Street, Thermopolis, Wyoming 82443, phone (307) 864-3192, website thermopolis.com, provides business support services, economic development assistance, and visitor information. The Chamber can direct business owners to appropriate licensing authorities and offers networking and promotional opportunities for local businesses.

Wyoming requires voters to register or update their registration at least 30 days before an election; however, Wyoming also offers same-day voter registration on Election Day at polling locations, requiring proof of residency. Eligible voters must be United States citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of Wyoming and Hot Springs County for at least 30 days prior to the election. Polling place information for Hot Springs County voters can be found by contacting the County Clerk or checking the Wyoming Secretary of State's website voter lookup tool.

Thermopolis typically has polling locations at the Hot Springs County Courthouse and other designated sites, while other areas of the county may vote at community centers or other public buildings. Election records in Hot Springs County are public under Wyoming's open records laws. Voter registration lists are available for inspection, though certain personal information is redacted for privacy.

Campaign finance reports for county-level candidates are filed with the County Clerk and are available for public review. Precinct-level election results, candidate filings, and ballot measures are all public records accessible through the County Clerk's office. Hot Springs County, like most Wyoming counties, experiences strong voter turnout during presidential election years, often exceeding 70-75% of registered voters, while midterm and local elections see lower participation rates typically in the 45-60% range.

The next major election is November 3, 2026, featuring U.S. House and Senate midterm races along with Wyoming state legislative seats, statewide offices, and local county positions. Absentee voting in Hot Springs County is available to any registered voter; applications for absentee ballots can be obtained from the County Clerk's office, downloaded from the Wyoming Secretary of State website, or requested by phone.

Absentee ballot applications must be received by the County Clerk no later than the day before the election, though it is recommended to apply well in advance to ensure timely delivery. Wyoming law (W.S. § 22-1-101 et seq.) governs election procedures and records access, promoting transparency while protecting voter privacy.

Major employers include the Hot Springs County School District, Hot Springs County government, Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital (a critical access hospital serving the region), and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center. Tourism has emerged as an increasingly vital economic driver, anchored by Hot Springs State Park, which attracts visitors to experience the world's largest mineral hot springs with free bathing facilities and commercial bathhouses. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center and Dig Sites draws paleontology enthusiasts from around the world and contributes substantially to the local economy through admissions, lodging, and dining expenditures.

The county's proximity to Yellowstone National Park positions it as a potential stopover for travelers, though it remains less commercially developed than gateway communities in other counties. Mineral extraction, including bentonite mining and oil and gas production, contributes to the tax base and employment, though at lower levels than in some neighboring Wyoming counties. Unemployment in Hot Springs County typically ranges from 3% to 5%, varying seasonally with tourism patterns.

Economic development efforts focus on promoting heritage tourism, outdoor recreation, small business development, and maintaining quality of life factors that attract remote workers and retirees. There are no major corporate headquarters or large manufacturing facilities in the county, and retail services are concentrated primarily in Thermopolis.