The Tepee Pool

On June 26, 1967, Darrel Hunt turned over the first shovelful of dirt during the ground-breaking ceremonies for his new spa in the Hot Springs State Park.

His $250,000 facility featured a unique tepee design which was built out of polyurethan and towered over the pool. He named this new healing business the Tepee Pool and Spa and had big dreams. Hunt and his wife, Ann, were both registered physical therapists and planned to provide Swedish massages and an exercise program to their customers.

However, within a year of his grand opening, Hunt sold the pool to Jim and Margaret Mecca. The Mecca's dived into the business full time and eventually had a regulation pool, soaking pool, wading pool and a pizza parlor. Jim managed the Tepee Pool while Margaret, in addition to assisting at the pools, was a full-time teacher in the local school district.

Tepee Pool, 1968

On Valentine’s Day 1975, an early morning fire blazed through the Tepee Pool and Spa. The damage was estimated at $850,000. Mecca was determined to rebuild the Tepee Pool and his family business

This time, the fire marshal stepped in and said the polyurethan structure had been too flammable. The tepee was replaced with a new dome shaped building made of cedar, a type of wood that retains moisture without rotting away. Mecca kept the tepee name and continued to manage the pool.

After almost 30 years, Mecca was ready to retire and sold his pools. Dan Moriarity became the new manager for the Tepee Pool.

During Moriarity's tenure as manager, the company briefly changed the name to Hot Springs Water Park but encountered an unexpected issue. Nobody could remember that name and could not find them in the Yellow Pages. When the company decided to change the name back to Tepee Pool, they did so with one minor change.

Moriarity’s Mom, Helen, could no longer take care of herself and was alone in Montana. To convince her to move to Thermopolis, her son promised to put her name in lights. Moriarity kept his word. Each night when she would go to her window at the Pioneer Home, Helen, nicknamed ‘Hellie’, would see her name lit up. The pool had been renamed Hellie’s Tepee Pools in her honor.

Hellie’s Tepee Pools is one of three pools that you can visit in Hot Springs State Park. It features outdoor and indoor pools, slides, hot tubs, a steam cave and a wading pool.

Swim, soak, slide and stay at Wyoming’s world-famous hot springs in Thermopolis!

Hellie’s Tepee Pools

WORLD’S LARGEST MINERAL HOT SPRINGS

Swim, Soak, Slide, Stay!

Our indoor pools include a main pool with a waterfall, slide, baby pool, hot tubs, steam room and dry sauna.

Three outdoor hot tubs are great for soaking your sore muscles away!

Large group discounts and military discounts available.

Weekly, monthly and yearly memberships.

Open 7 days a week 9am-9pm.

144 Tepee Street • Thermopolis

307-864-9250

TEPEEPOOLS.COM