See all 2 routes on Bighorn River
Wyoming | Wind-Bighorn Basin / Thermopolis
Bighorn RiverWedding of the Waters to Hot Springs State Park
A short scenic Bighorn River float from WGFD Wedding of the Waters to the Hot Springs State Park terrace landing.
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Route location
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Need to know
Why this call
Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.
Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.
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Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short scenic Bighorn River float from WGFD Wedding of the Waters to the Hot Springs State Park terrace landing.
Access map
Put-in
Wedding of the Waters boat rampUse only the named public or land-manager access; a nearby shoreline is not proof of a legal launch.
Take-out
Hot Springs State Park terrace boat rampConfirm seasonal gates, parking, fees, permits, AIS inspection, carry path, and take-out status immediately before the trip.
Road shuttle
Access notes and hazards
Access caveats
- Use only the named public or land-manager access; a nearby shoreline is not proof of a legal launch.
- Confirm seasonal gates, parking, fees, permits, AIS inspection, carry path, and take-out status immediately before the trip.
- Private banks and easements may constrain landing, scouting, camping, or portage; remain within the authorized corridor.
Watch for
- dam-release changes, strainers, cold water, and private banks
- park terrace access and mandatory take-out
- heat-advisory fishing restrictions and summer wind
Plan this paddle
Choose your trip times
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Conditions
Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast
Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.
USGS measurements
More about this gauge
These measurements come from the gauge station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Bighorn River at Basin, WY. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Gauge detail
Water-level history and forecastDetailed view
Gauge
Recent trend
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Gauge source
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Hourly forecast
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Next 8 hours
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Route gallery
Photos
Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.
Sources
Data and sources
Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route corridorWedding of the Waters to Hot Springs State Park; About 8 river miles (map-derived planning distance)
Wyoming Game and Fish Wedding of the Waters access identifies the access pair and operational character.
- Defensible proxy gaugeUSGS 06274300 — Bighorn River at Basin, WY
Gauge is upstream or downstream in the same regulated river system; it cannot substitute for a local scout or dam-release notice.
- Threshold postureMinimum-only planning model with no numeric cutoff
No live scoring is justified from the available route-specific evidence; the model is intentionally planning-only.
- Public access controlWedding of the Waters boat ramp to Hot Springs State Park terrace boat ramp
Named agency/park access points are retained, including any intentional parking or campground offset from the shoreline.
- Safety and land managementPFD, AIS, water temperature, current hazards, and current closures govern the decision
Review current agency rules, dam/release notices, wind, debris, and private-bank restrictions before launching.
- Camping classificationnearby_basecamp
No assumed on-route camping. Use Hot Springs State Park or a Thermopolis-area campground/basecamp under current reservation and park rules.
- Image decisionBighorn River at Thermopolis context photograph
This photo shows the same watershed, not this exact reach.
- Overlap decisionRetained as a distinct access-to-access card
Adjacent cards have different launch/take-out pairs, operational boundaries, difficulty, or trip length; no duplicate corridor was found in the Wyoming baseline.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Quick answers
Bighorn River paddling FAQ
What water level is best for the Wedding of the Waters to Hot Springs State Park route on the Bighorn River?
This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.
Where does the Wedding of the Waters to Hot Springs State Park route on the Bighorn River start and end?
This route starts at Wedding of the Waters boat ramp and ends at Hot Springs State Park terrace boat ramp, about 8 river miles (map-derived planning distance) on the water.
Is the Wedding of the Waters to Hot Springs State Park route on the Bighorn River suitable for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.
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