Are there really hot springs in Hot Springs South Dakota I90

In Hot Springs there is both a river that you can float down in an inner tube and also Evan's Plunge.

Report inappropriate content

Sequim88

Saint Paul...

Destination Expert

for Wyoming, Traveling With Disabilities

posts: 2,375

reviews: 36

2. Re: Natural springs

Jul 18, 2007, 5:22 PM

The "hot" springs at Hot Springs are really more like "warm" springs. The ground water temp is in the upper 80's or low 90's. The river, as far as I could tell, was not warm at all. We did not check out Evan's Plunge because as far as we could tell it was more of a place for screaming kids. The geology of the Black Hills is just not real conducive to truly hot water. Perhaps Evan's has some temperature "enhanced" hot tubs.
We stayed at the America's Best Value Inn by the River - and it was by the river where there is a really nice walk along it. There is a spring in a gazeebo structure across the street form the motel and the water there was barely warm. A little further down the river is a nice slightly warm but pretty waterfal too.
For real hot springs soaking go one short day further to the west into Wyoming. Excellent relaxing soaks at Saratoga (southern part of state) and Thermopolis (central). Also pretty good soaking at Chico Hot Springs in MT just north of Yellowstone and near Bozeman, MT. Search the TA Wyoming forums for Saratoga and Thermopolis. Thermopolis is probably a touch closer to the Black Hills. They have a spa at Saratoga but you can ignore that and just soak too.

Report inappropriate content

sunshine0000

Pennsylvania

posts: 2

3. Re: Natural springs

Aug 29, 2007, 7:36 PM

My understanding is that the people who created Evans Plunge had all of the springs capped off. The only place the hot springs still exist are at the Evans Plunge and the Bath House in town.

Report inappropriate content

GizzySouthDakota

South Dakota

posts: 1

reviews: 1

4. Re: Natural springs

Aug 21, 2009, 7:33 PM

There is Cascade Falls south of Hot Springs that are natural, not too warm but a really good time!!!

Report inappropriate content

Dean B

Keystone, SD

posts: 73

5. Re: Natural springs

Aug 22, 2009, 11:05 AM

Cascade Falls, about 8 miles south of Hot Springs on Highway 71, is a natural swimming spot that is popular with Black Hills residents. There are no truly "hot" springs in the Black Hills because the water comes out of the ground at 84 degrees. Comfortable but not hot. The water is very high in mineral content which made Hot Springs a popular destination in the 19th Century for people who wanted to "take the waters"
The Sojourner Inn in Hot Springs, a very small hotel that used to be a "clinic" and still has a hot tub with natural spring water. I think it would be a fun place to stay if you can handle steps. The inn has no elevator and is up from the road. I believe they fill the hot tub with natural spring water then raise the temperature to 103 degrees. The Red Rock river which flows from a spring gets its name from the discoloration caused by the minerals in the spring water.

Report inappropriate content

Dean B

Keystone, SD

posts: 73

6. Re: Natural springs

Aug 23, 2009, 10:22 AM

Addendum to my last post: Sorry, I was mistaken. The Sojourner Inn at Hot Springs does not use a hot tub. They have a natural spring-fed soaking pool that is about the size of a hot tub.