Saratoga Travel Guide

Saratoga lies just west of the Snowy Range Mountains on the North Platte River. With a population less than 2,000, this little community in the high sage desert exists solely because of the natural hot springs surfacing along the river. The Hotel Wolf, the oldest building in town, sits on the corner of the high street, still offering rooms as well as a good meal and pool. Lollipop's Ice Cream Parlour stands just next door, with an array of delicious local treats. It's false facade provides classic charm, barely hinting toward the building's less reputable past. Many wonderful restaurants are scatterd through town, offering a wide variety of tastes and styles, but they can be a bit scattered, so just ask a local to point you the way. Summer in Saratoga offers many opportunities for outdoor adventure, while winter brings ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobieling, among others. Fishing on the North Platte is another huge draw, as you'll likely spot an eagle or two along with your trout. For hikers, the 9 mile trail along the cliffs above Lake Marie offers breathtaking views, but be careful as weather atop the mountain can change quickly. The Hot Pool is the largest of Saratoga's natural springs, built into a rustic little bath house of sorts. Just behind the public swimming pool, the Hot Pool's cement walls surround a bed of course sand, through which the heated waters bubble. Regularly as hot as 110 degrees, getting into the water can be a bit of a challenge, but the natural lithium deposits and soothing heat make rosy skin completely worth the effort. Though often crowded in the summer, locals know that winter is the best time to enjoy the water, as snowfall eases a bit of the heat and feels delightful against hot skin. Just after sunset is prime bathing time, as the warmth can last all the way home, even in winter, and the lithium's soothing effect promotes easy sleep. Between Memorial and Labor Days, the best way to reach Saratoga is driving west from Laramie across the Snowy Range Road. Though only open during the summer and sometimes closed to snow even then, this trail over the high mountains and past the towering cliffs above Lake Marie is one of the most spactacular scenic drives in the area.