For over a century, this land has been a meaningful refuge for the people of Thermopolis and travelers from far beyond.
The Sacajawea Well was drilled in 1918, bringing mineral-rich geothermal water above ground. In 1923, the property became home to the Hot Springs County Poor Farm, where the warm waters were believed to provide comfort and healing.
By the mid-20th century, locals gathered here to swim and recreate at what was then known as the “Scotch Plunge,” a free public soaking pool with no rules or maintenance.
In the early 1960s, world travelers Oscar and Etta Payne purchased the site from the government to save it from vandals and transformed it into Payne’s Fountain of Youth — combining Wyoming’s mineral water heritage with the spirit of open-road travel.
Since then, generations of guests have come here to soak, reconnect, share stories, and enjoy the simple pleasure of warm water under big Wyoming skies.
Fountain of Youth RV Park remains part of Thermopolis’ living geothermal history — a place where people continue to gather, rest, andcreate memories.
