Big Horn River, Wyoming – Located along the Big Horn River, Wyoming’s Hot Springs State Park features a free bath house with 104° waters, 6.2 miles of hiking trails, fishing, a boat ramp, and much more. Over 1.8 million gallons of water flow over the terrace from the mineral hot springs every day, with the water sitting at a constant temperature of 128 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s also home to the central bison herd for the Wyoming State Parks.
Occasionally visitors will witness a bison rolling around in the dust. This behavior, called “wallowing“, is usually a way to relieve skin irritations. It could be to shed a winter coat or to remove biting insects. Additionally it can create a defensive barrier of dirt on the body the prevents lice or ticks from latching on, and is occasionally a social behavior related to play, group cohesion, and male-male conflict.
These visitors to Hot Springs State Park managed to capture a pretty incredible video of a bison enjoying a red dirt bath on a cold snowy day, dancing around his wallow and rubbing his back and sides into the ground.
At Hot Springs State Park, tourists and visitors are expected to stay in their car while watching bison. Though they may be fuzzy, bison can be very unpredictable and very fast. If you see a bison in the wild, stay in your car. If you’re already out of your car, make sure you leave plenty of space between you and the animal. Read more on bison safety below:
Yellowstone National Park Bison Safety:
Bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Bison are unpredictable and can run three times faster than humans. Always stay at least 25 yards (23 m) away from bison.
- Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot, or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity. 
- Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing, or snorting. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent.
- Do not stand your ground. Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you.
