Dubois has no shortage of extraordinary experiences, but even this small mountain town has its secrets.
For anyone seeking a secluded spot in the area, ask a local business owner and they’ll tell you how to reach Warm Spring Geyser.
Even in a state with more geysers, hot springs, and thermal features than any land mass in the world, Warm Spring Geyser stands out. It’s a pristine pool of thermal water at the bottom of an open cavern and accessible to anyone intrepid enough to find and descend into it.
“It is a semi-secret destination that's not unique to Wyoming, but unique in Wyoming,” said Casper resident Tobias Fousek. “It looks like something you find down in the Caribbean.”
Buoyant Bath Water
Warm Spring Geyser sits on a parcel of Bureau of Land Management land near Dubois at an elevation of 7,260 feet.
While it has geyser in the name, it behaves more like a placid hot spring. The water isn’t even all that hot.
“It’s only around 80 degrees,” Fousek said. “It’d be like a warm soak, not a hot spring, if you got into it.”
According to the website Soaking Springs, Warm Spring Geyser has an average temperature of 84 degrees, “like warm bath water.” The thermal water is rich in dissolved calcium and magnesium and has a neutral pH of 6.8.
Because of the high concentrations of dissolved minerals, the water has been described as “very buoyant” for anyone who decides to wade in.
Fousek has seen the thermal water but never stepped into it. He estimated the pool is more than 10 feet at its deepest point.
“I’d guess that it’s deeper than I am tall, so maybe 10 feet over by the vent, but that's just guesstimating,” he said.
What makes Warm Spring Geyser unique is how it’s situated in the landscape. The only way to reach the water is through a steep, narrow crevice that opens into the water-filled cavern.
The average person would find the descent difficult and dangerous without assistance. A climbing rope was installed to help people get down and back up.
Once inside, Warm Spring Geyser is a surreal experience. The blue water reflects on the walls and ceiling of the cavern, covering them with a hypnotizing pattern.
“It is definitely worth the adventure, just to get out there and explore,” Fousek said.
Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it. (Brandon Downey Photos) 
Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily) 
Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily)
Can, But Should?
Many people can tell a visitor how to get to Warm Spring Geyser. Fousek is among them, which is why he’s never shared it publicly.
“It’s definitely a secret, and that’s what’s fun about it,” he said. “If you are persistent or good at finding stuff online, it's definitely out there, but finding it is part of the fun.”
The most reliable way to find Warm Spring Geyser is to ask business owners in Dubois. Someone at the Jackalope Café will know how to get there, although they might suggest taking the more direct route that cuts through private property.
Fousek said it’s entirely possible to reach the spot via public roads, even if it takes a bit longer. Some might even try using Google Maps, but that isn’t entirely reliable either.
“It's listed on most maps and digital mapping technology, but it's listed multiple times,” he said. “You have to figure out which one is right.”
But can you swim in Warm Spring Geyser? Nothing’s stopping anyone from wading into the water, but "can" and "should" are different concepts.
Soaking Springs doesn’t consider it a soaking spring. They have a warning that Warm Spring Geyser “isn’t a traditional hot spring,” given the “geyser” in its name, and common hazards could include boiling water, toxic gases, and unstable ground.
Fousek isn’t sure about any of those hazards, but he’s personally opposed to anyone swimming in the warm spring. There’s a whole other world that bears consideration.
“I know that it’s monitored by several agencies,” he said. “It’s a very fragile ecosystem. Yes, people swim in it all the time, but I definitely don't recommend anyone actually swim in it.”
If preserving the environment's integrity isn’t enough, Fousek pointed out the obvious hazards that should discourage reckless behavior. Someone could slip and fall down the opening, and being injured at the bottom of a cavern in a remote area is always hazardous.
“Anytime you're outdoors, or around water like that, there could be all kinds of nasty surprises,” he said. “I’ve never gone in, and I don’t think I ever would.”
Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily) 
Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it. (Andrew Rossi, Cowboy State Daily) 
Warm Spring Geyser is a pool of brilliantly blue thermal water hidden in a cavern near Dubois, described by a frequent visitor as "like something you find down in the Caribbean.” The trick is getting there and whether to risk descending into it. (Brandon Downey Photo)
Leave No Trace
Warm Spring Geyser might not be that hard to find, but getting there is half the fun – and the challenge.
Fousek couldn’t see anyone getting to the cavern's opening without a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle. Anyone in the Dubois area who knows where it is would probably suggest the same.
“You’ll know it when you find it, but it can be dangerous,” he said. “You have to climb a bit to get down there. You can get great pictures from above, but anyone with mobility issues would struggle to get close to it.”
It’s possible to enter the cavern without entering the water, but Fousek has always felt better enjoying Warm Spring Geyser from a distance.
“You can get some beautiful pictures from above,” he said. “A lot of people think of it like Thermopolis or Yellowstone, but I really urge people to be careful. There’s a whole ecosystem down there.”
If you’re in the area, there’s more to see around Warm Spring Geyser. An old logging road nearby will lead curious explorers to a historic wooden flume built on a mountainside, still standing after decades of neglect.
It’s also a great spot to take in the landscape of the Wind River Range. You can even see Dubois from there, although that might be saying too much.
Fousek encouraged anyone interested in Warm Spring Geyser to go find it, but do so responsibly.
“Like anything in nature, be respectful,” he said. “Clean up after yourself, don't leave any trace, and don’t damage anything. We're all out here exploring this world together.”
Toxic Slugs?
Another reason many people don’t share much about Warm Spring Geyser publicly is the flood of misinformation about it. Fousek finds much of what he’s heard amusing, as it adds to the thrill of going out and finding it.
While he is happy to correct any misinformation, there’s one “fun rumor” he can’t help but mention: the toxic slugs.
“When I first started looking for it, my coworkers told me that I definitely couldn't swim in the water because of toxic slugs,” he said. “I’ve never seen a slug there, but whenever I tell people about it, I always joke and tell them that there are toxic slugs. It’s just a rumor.”
Intrepid visitors might not find any toxic slugs, but they will find a memorable experience. Fousek suggested making the most of the adventure by visiting Dubois.
"There are a lot of other beautiful areas to explore near Warm Spring Geyser, and Dubois is full of very friendly people,” he said. “There are other places up there that are even more secret, so I really urge exploration. This one’s gotten out, so make a day of it.”
Andrew Rossi can be reached at arossi@cowboystatedaily.com.
