One of the oldest attractions in the Black Hills is Evans Plunge Mineral Springs in Hot Springs.

“We’ve been around longer than Mount Rushmore National Memorial,” said facility director Kris Hanson.

In 1890, Evans Plunge became a tourist attraction, drawing in visitors from far and wide who wanted to dip into the pool.

“Our claim to fame is the mineral water,” said Hanson. “It’s all about the water here. We have 13 springs that feed Evans Plunge, and water comes in 5,000 gallons a minute.”

As the water is fed into the pool, it maintains a natural temperature of 87 degrees year round.

“The temperature is especially great when you’re looking for aquatic rehab and therapies,” said Hanson.

Every 90 minutes, the pool has fresh water based on the flow from the springs, which flows in through the river stones on the pool floor and eventually makes its way into the Fall River behind the facility.

“No chlorine is needed because of that fast movement, which means no itchy skin, no crunchy hair, and you can open your eyes in the water,” said Hanson.

Today, the Plunge is open year round, and its wellness benefits are used for many things from family fun to exercise classes.

The facility houses the main indoor pool, an outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a sauna, a steam room, and a gym.

Families come to spend time playing in the water and on the equipment. 

In the main pool, there are two large water slides, the Whale and the Jet. The Whale is a long, serpentine slide, and the Jet is tall and shoots riders down a near vertical drop into the water below.


DID YOU KNOW?

Evans Plunge is named after builder Fred Evans


“If the kids are not tall enough, they can put on a life jacket and have someone who is 14 years or older go in the water to catch them when they come down,” said Hanson.

Hanging from the ceiling are the Tarzan Rings. These rings stretch across the top of the pool, and Hanson says there’s almost always a line of kids and adults wanting to try their strength.

For those that are too little to go down the big slides, there are other options.

“We have a kiddie slide inside in the three-foot pool,” explained Hanson. “You can slide down the frog’s tongue. There’s a one-foot area where we have a static whale.”

Water volleyball and basketball are also available to play.

In the summer months, guests have the option to spend time in the outdoor pool, into which another large water slide shoots swimmers onto the surface of the pool below.

During most of the day, there’s a limited lap lane available as well.

“In the morning, we don’t open our slides or our rings until 10 a.m. So 6-10 a.m. people can swim laps the long way of the pool,” said Hanson. “That morning time is a great time to come in for a more quiet environment.”

The facility also houses multiple cardio and weight rooms for those looking to workout outside of the pool.


AMENITIES

Concessions
Gift Shop
Hot Tubs
Kiddie Pools
Lap Swimming
Sauna
Steam Room
Swing Rings
Water Basketball
Water Slides
Water Volleyball
Weight & Cardio Rooms 


Out of water, they offer exercise classes like Zumba Gold, Spin, and more.

“We have people standing outside the door at 6 a.m. waiting to get their workouts in before it’s too late in the day.”

Along with these activities, there are water aerobics classes, aquatic therapy, and swimming lessons. Evans Plunge is home to the Fall River Swim Team as well.

“We try to meet everybody’s needs,” said Hanson.

For more information, visit EVANSPLUNGE.COM+
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