Are you in search of the best thermal baths and hot springs in Alaska? You’ve come to the right place. You’ll find everything you need on this carefully curated list of Alaska's best natural thermal pools.
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1. Manley Hot Springs
- Location: 65°0′28″N 150°37′36″W
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water in soaking tubs: over 100 °F
- Water composition: not available
- Access: By vehicle through Alaska Route 2
- Average drive time from Fairbanks: 4h 30m
- Fee: 5$ per person per hour (adults), $2 (6+ years), $0 (under 6 years)
- Hike-in access: No
- Vehicle Access: Yes
- Number of tubs: 4
- Clothing: Optional
- Pets: not allowed
- Reservation: Required
- Phone: (907) 672-3231
Manley Hot Springs is located in a small historic town of the same name, some 250.8km west of Fairbanks, at the end of Elliott Highway.
Unfortunately, the original Manley hot springs resort, built-in 1907 to take advantage of the hot springs on this site, burned down over 100 years ago. On the other hand, the springs continue to flow through the ground into a privately owned greenhouse, where four concrete baths are used for soaking. This site remains one of the best and most accessible hot springs in Alaska.
The Greenhouse
The greenhouse is heated by geothermal energy from the hot springs, creating a favorable microenvironment for the growth of plants that would otherwise be unable to thrive in Alaska’s climate. Hibiscus flowers, vegetables, and a variety of fruits such as grapes and Asian pears are grown in this lush tropical greenhouse.
Upon arrival, you can choose any of the four concrete baths and luxuriate all day amid a tropical oasis created by the hot springs for $5 per person per hour. This fee gives you exclusive use of the bathhouse until your reservation period expires. This complete privacy makes clothing optional.
The drive from Fairbanks to Manley Hot Springs
Before you head out of town, you must call the hot spring ( or bathhouse) to make a reservation and get directions on how to pay and pick up the key to the greenhouse.
It’s an adventure in and of itself to get from Fairbanks to Manley Hot Springs. Take a few seconds to admire the scenery while you’re on your way. The views and landscape are breathtaking. Some creatures will likely cross the road. You might even get lucky and see the majestic moose on the side of the road.
The drive can take you from 3h 30m to 5h 30m depending on the weather and how fast you go. The road surface varies from paved and smooth to rough gravel and potholes along its full width. So make sure to carry extra spare tires because the risk of having a flat tire is fairly significant. Also, make sure you have enough fuel to take you there and back because of the remote nature of the town.
Direction
From 10th Avenue, turn left onto Steese Highway (AK 2) 10.7 mi. Continue onto Elliott Highway (AK 2) 67.9mi and then turn left to stay on Elliott Highway. After another 76.8mi you would have arrived at your destination, on the left.
When you get to Manley Hot Springs
When you arrive in town, pick up the Bathhouse key and then drive to the greenhouse according to the directions you received from the phone call earlier. Please follow the restrictions for using the baths at the greenhouse, such as not picking the fruits, not using soap in the pools, not bringing in pets, and not smoking. Remember to return the bathhouse key before you leave.
Where to stay while visiting Manley Hot Springs
If you’ve driven out here from Fairbanks, you’ll most likely want to spend the night. You choose to stay at one of the area’s campsites or book a room at one of Alaska’s most popular roadhouses.
The Manley Road House, which dates back to 1906, is one of Alaska’s original roadhouses and a popular attraction in Manley Hot Springs. They rent out rooms as well as small cabins and display mining equipment from Manley Hot Springs’ heyday.
Map of Manley Hot Springs
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2. Tolovana Hot Springs
- Location: 65°16′00″N 148°52′00″W
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water: 125 - 145°F
- Water composition: pH of 7.4, sodium chloride (salinity, 4%) and sulfur dioxide (low concentration)
- Number of tubs: 3
- Access: by trail or by plane
- Fees: Yes
- Hike-in access: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
- Clothing: Optional
- Pets: Not allowed
- Reservation: Required
- Phone: (907) 455-6706
Tolovana Hot Springs is located in the Tolovana River Valley, 45 miles (72.5 km) as the crow flies northwest of Fairbanks.
This legendary hot spring has no road access. But don’t worry. The trip there is part of the adventure. The primary route is a 10.1-mile trail that begins at milepost 93 of the Elliott Highway. There is also an airstrip nearby for flying in.
The Hot Spring
The soaking pools are made up of three private hot tubs that are about 200 feet apart. Two round cedar tubs, each about 8 feet in diameter, sit on either side of a square ‘middle tub’ in the stream below the hot springs.
Gravity constantly pipes hot water from the creek fed by thermal seeps from the ground into the tubs. In addition, cool water from the nearby stream is piped into the hot tubs and used as a temperature regulator in the soaking pools.
The Trails to Tolovana Hot Springs
The trip to Tolovana Hot Springs in Alaska is a classic wilderness adventure. Difficulty ranges from moderate to strenuous but it’s a doable backcountry experience that will leave you a little sad when it comes to an end. There are three trails, two of which are only accessible during winter.
10.1 Mile Trail (winter and summer)
This epic, 10.1-mile hike will take you up and over the Tolovana Hot Springs Dome, which stands at 2,316 feet. From this vantage point, you will have a panoramic view of the White and Ray Mountains, the vast Minto Flats State Game Refuge in the lowlands, and the white massif of Denali, 200 miles away, if she decides to come out of the shadows.
To start, take the Steese Highway 10.1 miles north from town to the intersection with the Elliott at Fox. The trailhead is located on the Elliott Highway at milepost 93. This trail is open all year and is suitable for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, skijoring, and snow machining. On the way in, there are two steep descents and two steep climbs. If hiking during summer, be prepared for bugs and bogs. Mosquito repellent is recommended.
26 Mile Trail (winter only)
Before attempting this trail, it is strongly advised that you have prior experience and knowledge of the area. This trail is accessible in the winter through dog mushing, snow machining, skiing, and winter biking. It also requires crossing the Tolovana River, which has a very steep bank. The trailhead is at milepost 74 on the Elliot Highway at the Livengood (West Fork) Airstrip.
50 Mile Trail (winter only)
The trailhead is located on the top of Murphy Dome, 30 miles from Fairbanks (end of Murphy Dome Road, elevation 2,930′). Before attempting this trail, it is also recommended that you have prior experience and knowledge of the area.
This trail descends to the Chatanika River before ascending the Tolovana River valley via the Livengood-Dunbar Sled Road. A 7-mile trail leads to the hot springs from the Livengood-Dunbar Sled Road.
Where to stay while visiting Tolovana Hot Springs
Tolovana Hot Springs offer three rustic and fully outfitted cabins. Visitors are required to bring their food, sleeping bags and toilet paper.
Note that reservations MUST be made through phone or email contact. For more information about accommodation and to check availability, go here.
If you need a guided tour of Tolovana Hot Springs with amazing packages, check out Arctic Dog Adventure Co.
Map of Tolovana Hot Springs
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3. Chena Hot Springs
- Location: 65° 3’12.91″N, 146° 3’29.79″W
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water: Between 110°F and 153 °F
- Water composition: The water contains silica, sodium, iron, potassium, aluminum, carbonate, calcium, magnesium, chloride, bicarbonate, sulfate, fluoride, nitrate, lithium, boric acid and ammonia
- Access: By Chena Hot Springs road
- Handicapped accessible: Yes
- Average drive time from Fairbanks: About 1 hour.
- Fees: Yes
- Hike-in access: No
- Vehicle Access: Yes
- Pets: Allowed
- Clothing: Not optional
- Under 18: Not allowed in public soaking pool.
- Reservation: Required
- Phone: 970-451-8104
Chena Hot Springs is a natural hot spring in Alaska as well as a resort located 56.5 scenic miles northeast of Fairbanks, in the Chena River State Recreation Area.
A bit of history
This resort has a fascinating past. It all started more than a century ago when gold miners Robert and Thomas Swan set out in search of the hot springs.
Robert had a persistent illness that caused him to have extreme, intermittent joint pains, and he wanted a place to relax and calm this pain. They discovered Chena Hot Springs after a month of searching.
Soon after, knowledge of this hot mineral pool’s potential to alleviate or treat a variety of chronic diseases spread, and twelve modest huts were built around the hot springs in 1911 to accommodate visitors. The twelve cabins grew into a resort in the heart of Alaska’s interior.
The Hot spring
Today, Chena Hot Springs continues to attract visitors from all over the world, lured by the region’s stunning panoramas and wonderfully hot soaking pools.
Visitors can soak in the outdoor, rock-lined warm lake at the hot spring resort in both winter and summer. A glassed-in, chlorinated indoor swimming pool with a temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit is also available.
Chena Hot Springs offers a variety of activities and attractions in addition to soaking in the outdoor rock lakes fed by hot mineral water. Northern Lights watching, the Ice Museum, skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, ATV rides, flightseeing, aurora borealis viewing excursions and fishing, are just a few of the activities available.
The drive from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs
It’s a scenic 56.5-mile trip from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort. It will take just about an hour to get to your destination because the route is entirely paved and well-maintained.
To get to the Chena Hot Springs Road, head out of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway (AK 2). Drive for 3.5 miles and then take the 0.3-mile ramp to Chena Hot Springs Road. Turn right onto Chena Hot Springs Road. Drive another 54.8 miles and you’ll arrive at your destination on the right.
If you don’t want to drive, you can take the Chena Shuttle, which is operated by the resort. The shuttle can be booked for round-trip transfers from the airport or any hotel in Fairbanks.
Where to stay while visiting Chena Hot Springs
There is lodging on sight at the hot springs if you want to spend the night, but there are better options in the Fairbanks area. According to an insider tip, if you want more value, then just soak and leave.
Map of Chena Hot Springs
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4. Baranof Warm Springs
- Location: 57°05′22″N 134°49′59″W.
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water from the ground: is 124 °F
- The temperature of water in soaking pools: is between 108 °F and 110 °F.
- Water composition: sodium carbonate, sulfur and large proportions of silica.
- Access: By boat or floatplane from Sitka.
- Travel from Sitka: 30min to 1 hour depending on the weather.
- Fee: Free
- Hike-in access: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
- Number of pools: 9
- Clothing: Optional
Baranof Warm Springs is one of the top vacation spots for a family looking for a range of outdoor activities, including having a dip in a natural hot spring in Alaska.
Before we go into details, please note that the hot spring’s name is Baranof Warm Springs and the community where it is located is also called Baranof Warm Springs.
The Hot Spring
Baranof Warm Springs is a collection of nine geothermal springs found in a small seasonally occupied community called Baranof Warm Springs in Sitka, Alaska. These warm springs flow from their underground source into several rock-lined soaking pools. They lie about 500 feet downstream from the inlet of Baranof Lake on the north side of the Baronof River and are surrounded by lush green and ancient forests.
It is important to know that you must climb a quarter-mile trail from the waterfront to reach these communal natural springs. For visitors who are not up for the hike or prefer a more private bath, there is also an option of a bathhouse on the waterfront. This bathhouse is made up of three wooden roofed rooms supplied with hot spring water.
How to get to Baranof Warm Springs
These are not easily accessible hot springs but once you get there, the restorative buzz you get from these secluded thermal pools is worth it. Another plus is the great view of Baranof lake and the breathtaking waterfalls you will enjoy while soaking in these natural pools.
Like many of Alaska’s best “hot spots,” the springs can only be reached by boat or floatplane.
Two of the largest floatplane suppliers in the area are Harris Aircraft Services and Sitka Seaplane Base. Harris specializes in Goddard and Baranof Warm Springs services.
Where to stay while visiting Baranof Warm Springs
Baranof Wilderness Lodge
Amenities:
- Lodge and Cabin
- On-site Restaurant
- On-site hot tubs and showers
- 24 hours electricity
- Toilet facilities
- Pets allowed.
Packages:
All lodgings, meals, wine lists, round-trip transportation between Juneau, Baranof, Sitka, boats, and expert guide services.
Rates: From $6650 (for 5 nights) per person.
Phone: (800) 613-6551
Baranof Wilderness Lodge is located in Warm Springs Bay on the east side of Baranof Island. This lodge opens from May through October. It provides visitors with comfortable and spacious cabins and lodges as well as a variety of wilderness experiences and adventure opportunities.
Please note that due to their high number of return customers, Baranof Wilderness Lodge often books nearly a year in advance
Map of Baranof Warm Springs
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5. Tenakee Hot Springs
- Location: 57°46′41″N 135°13′11″W
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water: About 106 °F
- Water composition: Contains sulfur and has a pH of 9.07
- Number of tubs: 1
- Access: By boat or seaplane
- Fees: No (but a donation is welcome)
- Hike-in access: No
- Vehicle Access: No
- Clothing: Not optional
- Pets: Not allowed
Tenakee Hot Springs in Alaska is located in Tenakee Springs, a small village on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska.
A visit to this small town of roughly 100 people is like going back in time. This lovely and peaceful community is home to several big historic structures, including Snyder Mercantile and the Shamrock Building.
The Hot Spring
The spring features a beautifully restored bathhouse with hot, sulfur mineral water seeping in from its underground source into a communal bathing pool. Here, the water is not treated, it’s all-natural and clean as it continuously flushes through a drain and replenishes itself at a rate of 7 gallons per minute.
It is required that you bathe with soap and remove any clothing before using the bathhouse to help maintain the clean condition of the natural springs.
The Bathhouse and the adjoining changing room are located directly across the street from Tenakee Springs Market and are open at all hours of the day and night, with separate hours for men and women. Men use the bathhouse from 2 PM – 6 PM and 10 PM – 6 AM while women use it from 6 PM – 10 PM and 6 AM – 2 PM daily.
No fee is required to use the bathhouse but donations are welcome from visitors for the maintenance of the facility.
How to get to Tenakee Hot Springs
Tenakee Hot Springs is located on an island and so can only be accessed by seaplane or by ferry.
Alaska Seaplanes make three daily stops in Tenakee Springs in the summer and one or two times per day in the winter depending on the weather conditions. They also provide charter services. You can schedule flights easily with their online system.
The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) provides a year-round ferry service to Tenakee from Juneau on the M/V LeConte. Thursdays and Saturdays are the most common days for transfers.
Where to stay while visiting Tenakee
Where to stay in Tenakee is not a problem. This small town boasts one cabin and two lodges.
- Bear Rental Cabin
Contact: 907 736 2252
This cabin, located just around the corner from the natural hot spring has everything you need for your easy and relaxing stay in Tenakee. It is clean, and cozy with a completely outfitted kitchen for your convenience.
There are two single beds and the nightly rate is $85.00.
- Fishing Bear Lodge LLC/Tenakee Inlet House Rental
Contact: 907-736-2350
This four-bedroom property serves as a fishing lodge during the summer and as a rental during the rest of the year. It is perfect for couples’ getaways or small groups.
There is WIFI access, a full kitchen, 4 bedrooms, and 2 full bathrooms, one of which has a bathtub. Other amenities are available to make your stay more comfortable.
The nightly rate is $280.00.
- Tenakee Hot Springs Lodge
Contact: 907-364-3640
This lodge features five spacious, comfortable bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms suitable for a small or large group. It also has a full kitchen, freezers, WIFI, and home-cooked meals
Map of Tenakee Springs
Recommended Reading: Essence of Tranquility: A Complete Guide
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6. Chief Shakes Hot Springs
- Location: 56.7236111°, -132.04°
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water: About 140 °F
- Water composition: No sulfur and has a pH of 7.9
- Number of tubs: 2
- Access: By boat
- Fees: No
- Hike-in access: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
Chief Shakes Hot Springs is a natural hot spring located in the Mainland, 28 miles Northwest of Wrangell, up the Stikine River at Hot Springs Slough off of Ketilli Slough. It is a day-use facility located deep in the Stikine-LeConte wilderness of the Tongass National Forest in Wrangell Alaska.
This hot spring is a unique location that will provide you with an unforgettable experience. Imagine relaxing in a deliciously hot bathtub surrounded by dreamscape scenery, in the middle of nowhere. Simply leave your worries behind and embark on this trip to one of the best hot springs in Alaska. It will be well worth the effort.
The Hot Spring
The hot spring is a free day-use facility maintained by the Forest Service and it’s quite basic. There is an enclosed tub and an open-air redwood tub, as well as two outhouses, benches and changing huts. There are no other amenities on the property. The temperature of the thermal water is about 140 °F. Coldwater is also piped in to regulate the temperature if need be.
This location is a favorite for locals who can crowd in on weekends and holidays, so plan your visit accordingly if you would like to have some privacy.
How to get to Chief Shakes Hot Springs
To make this trip, it is recommended that you hire a guide service or know a local.
This facility is located in a wilderness with no road or vehicle access. You can only get to this location by boat via the Stikine River. A short hike on a 0.3-mile trail off Hot Springs Slough will lead you to the hot springs.
Where to stay while visiting Chief Shakes Hot Springs
This trip should be planned for a full day because there are no overnight accommodations at this facility.
However, if you plan to spend the night, then come with your camping gear. Visitors are allowed to camp within 100 feet of the facility. Don’t forget to bring a bathing suit, towels, and your food.
Map of Chief Shakes Hot Springs
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7. Serpentine Hot Springs
- Location: 65° 51' 25" N / 164° 42' 51" W
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water: 170 °F
- Number of tubs: 1
- Access: bush plane or boats (in summer), snowmobile and dogsled (in winter)
- Fees: No
- Hike-in access: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
- Reservation: Not required
- Clothing: Optional
Serpentine Hot Springs is located in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, about 100 miles from Nome. This great hot spring in Alaska can be found 47 miles northwest of Imuruk Lake on the right bank of Hot Springs Creek, which flows into the Serpentine River.
The natural hot spring surrounded by rolling hills, tundra, and breathtaking geological formations is a phenomenon you have to experience. As a lover of hot springs, you will never forget a visit to what is likely one of the first hot springs in North America used by humans.
The Hot Spring
This facility features a bathhouse with a large soaking tub that is fed by both very hot spring water and cold water from a nearby stream, which helps to regulate the water temperature.
You can use the bathhouse for free and there is no need to make a reservation. The National Park Service (NPS) maintains this free facility, which is open year-round and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
How to get to Serpentine Hot Springs
Before making the trip to Serpentine Hot Spring in Alaska, stop in the NPS office in Nome for orientation.
The hot springs can be reached in one of two ways. During the summer, you can get there by hiking, and during the winter, you can get there by snowmobile or dogsled. This requires a multi-day hike or a multi-day snowmobile trip.
If you don’t want to travel by land, another more convenient option is to take a bush plane. Several air charters fly into the preserve out of Nome and Kotzebue.
Where to stay while visiting Serpentine Hot Springs
A surplus military building was relocated from Nome to the springs in 1953. This building was later renovated as a bunkhouse. The same bunkhouse is still available for free to visitors today.
It can sleep 15 to 20 people and has two rooms and a common area in the middle.
Map of Serpentine Hot Springs
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8. Goddard Hot Springs
- Location: 56.8400040, -135.3700199
- Rating: One of the best hot springs in Alaska
- The temperature of water: 150.8°F
- Water Composition: No sulfur. pH of 7.12
- Number of tubs: 2 + 1 pool in nearby forest
- Access: seaplane or boat
- Fees: No
- Hike-in access: Yes
- Vehicle Access: No
- Reservation: Not required
- Clothing: Optional
Goddard is located 15 miles south of Sitka on the west coast of Baranof Island, on the northeast side of Hot Springs Bay.
Because of its proximity to a town, this natural hot spring in Alaska is a popular destination for both locals and visitors. Goddard Hot Springs is one of the most beautiful and inspiring locations around Sitka!
The Hot Spring
This facility consists of two shelters with soaking tubs. In this bathhouse, the tubs are fed cold water from a wooden reservoir and hot water from nearby springs. The cold water can be used to regulate the temperature of the tubs before you soak.
Aside from the two enclosed tubs, there is an open tub hidden in the nearby forest that is less popular. A short hike from the boardwalk connecting the lower and upper enclosed pools will bring you to a knee-deep warm pool that can seat 5 to 6 people.
The city of Sitka owns and maintains the property, which is open to the public for free all year. There is a boardwalk around the facility making walking between the two pools easier as well as outhouses.
How to get to Goddard Hot Springs
Goddard Hot Springs is on an island that can only be reached by boat or floatplane. From Sitka, you can get a floatplane or boat charter that can drop you off at the springs and pick you up at a time of your choosing for a return to Sitka.
A trip in a floatplane is required for a true Alaska experience. Add a flightseeing tour to your hot springs charter to personalize your adventure. Alaska will undoubtedly provide you with an experience you will never forget.
Where to stay while visiting Goddard Hot Springs
The City and Borough of Sitka own and maintain a Cabin near the hot springs. This cabin is a great place to spend the night or a couple of days while relaxing in the hot tubs and exploring the area.
Aside from soaking in the wonderful hot springs, the area is ideal for exploring by kayak due to the abundance of small islands. So you can stay at the nearby Tom Young Cabin, which is just across the bay from Goddard Hot Springs.
There are also campsites in a grassy meadowlike area and on higher ground near the spring. This is an excellent way to spend a night at Goddard Hot Springs.
Map of Goddard Hot Springs
Final Thoughts
The hot springs in Alaska are a collection of geothermal treasures. Now that you know where to look, it’s time to go on an adventure.
FAQs
What is a hot spring?
A hot spring is a natural spring formed when geothermally heated groundwater rises from the Earth’s crust.
What causes hot springs?
Hot springs form when rainwater or groundwater flows deep into the Earth’s crust and toward the mantle via cracks or faults on the Earth’s surface. The water then comes into contact with hot rocks, which heat it. The hot water is then forced upwards and back to the Earth’s surface by underground pressure through the same cracks or faults.
How long should one soak in a hot spring?
No more than 15 minutes, or until you break out in small sweats on your brow. Hyperthermia or high body temperature can occur if you soak for too long.
How often should you soak in a hot spring?
Two to three baths per day if you live close to a hot spring site.
Can you pee in a hot spring?
Please don’t pee in a hot spring.
Should you wear clothes in a hot spring?
Some hot springs require you to wear a bathing suit, while others do not.
Do hot springs dehydrate you?
Hot springs can dehydrate you. So drink water while soaking to stay hydrated.
Do hot springs smell?
Sulfur-containing hot springs have a distinct pungent smell. Hot springs with a low Sulfur concentration will have little or no odor.
What are some must-pack items for a trip to a hot spring?
- Drinking water
- Bathing suit
- Sandals
- Towel
- Sunscreen
- Backpack
- Music device
What is Chena Hot Spring known for?
Natural hot springs, an amazing Ice Museum, fantastic aurora viewing, and geothermal-powered facilities.
How deep is Chena Hot Spring?
The average depth of the outdoor lake is four feet.
Can you see the northern lights from Chena Hot Springs?
Chena Hot Springs is one of the best places on the planet to see northern lights (aurora borealis)
