Are There Hot SpringsAre there hot springs in Alaska?
Yes. Alaska has hot springs from the Interior to the Southeast, including Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks and free bathhouses at Tenakee Springs, Goddard and Baranof that are reached by boat or floatplane.
Only Chena and Manley can be reached by car. Most others are remote: Tolovana is an 11-mile trail off the Elliott Highway, Serpentine sits in a national preserve near Nome, and Pilgrim needs a permit from its landowners.
Best hot springs in Alaska
The Alaska hot springs most visitors plan a trip around.
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Resort
Chena Hot Springs Resort
East of FairbanksAn outdoor rock lake 56 miles from Fairbanks, popular for northern lights.
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Bathhouse
Tenakee Hot Springs
Tenakee SpringsA free community bathhouse in a tiny Chichagof Island town.
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Bathhouse
Goddard Hot Springs
Near SitkaFree cedar bathhouses with adjustable tubs south of Sitka.
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Bathhouse
Baranof Warm Springs
Baranof IslandNatural pools beside a waterfall, reached by boat or floatplane.
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Backcountry
Tolovana Hot Springs
Elliott HighwayTubs and cabins at the end of an 11-mile winter trail.
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Tubs
Chief Shakes Hot Springs
Near WrangellFree tubs on the Stikine River, reached by boat.
Hot springs in Alaska map
Every one of the 14 hot springs on this page, with natural springs, resorts and pools shown by pin shape.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Famous hot springs in Alaska
All 14 hot springs we list in Alaska, A to Z.
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Bathhouse
Baranof Warm Springs, Alaska
Community bathhouse and natural pools beside a waterfall, reached by floatplane or boat and a short walk.
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Resort
Chena Hot Springs Resort, Alaska
Year-round resort 56 miles east of Fairbanks on a paved road, with an outdoor rock lake, indoor pool and northern lights viewing.
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Tubs
Chief Shakes Hot Springs, Alaska
Free Forest Service soaking tubs on the Stikine River, about 28 miles from Wrangell by boat.
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Bathhouse
Goddard Hot Springs, Alaska
Free city-owned cedar bathhouses with adjustable tubs, 16 miles south of Sitka by floatplane or skiff.
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Backcountry
Hutlinana Hot Springs, Alaska
Undeveloped springs about 7 miles off the Elliott Highway across unmarked ground, usually visited on skis in winter.
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Backcountry
Kanuti River Hot Springs, Alaska
Remote springs with no trail or facilities, about 12 miles cross-country from the Dalton Highway.
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Greenhouse tubs
Manley Hot Springs Resort, Alaska
Geothermal soaking tubs inside a greenhouse at the end of the Elliott Highway, about 160 miles from Fairbanks.
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Backcountry
Melozi Hot Springs, Alaska
A cluster of around 20 springs in the Interior, reached by charter floatplane or a multi-day trip from Ruby.
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Permit only
Pilgrim Hot Springs, Alaska
Historic hot springs about 60 miles north-east of Nome; visits need a permit from the landowners.
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Bathhouse
Serpentine Hot Springs, Alaska
Free bathhouse and bunkhouse among granite tors in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve; reached by small plane or snowmobile.
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Backcountry
Shelokum Hot Springs, Alaska
Free undeveloped pool in Tongass National Forest, reached by boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay and a 2.3-mile trail.
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Bathhouse
Tenakee Hot Springs, Alaska
Free community bathhouse in a tiny town on Chichagof Island, with separate hours for men and women; bathing is nude.
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Backcountry
Tolovana Hot Springs, Alaska
Three outdoor tubs and rustic cabins, reached by an 11-mile trail off the Elliott Highway; best in winter.
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Bathhouse
White Sulphur Hot Springs, Alaska
Free Forest Service bathhouse on the outer coast, about 65 miles north-west of Sitka by boat plus a short trail.
When to go and how to reach hot springs in Alaska
Timing your trip
Winter is the season for Chena and the Interior springs, when you can soak under the northern lights and trails like Tolovana are frozen. The Southeast springs are easiest to reach by boat from late spring to early autumn.
What you will pay
Chena and Manley charge for entry. The Southeast bathhouses at Tenakee, Goddard, Baranof, White Sulphur and Chief Shakes are free, but getting there by floatplane or boat charter is the main cost.
Reaching the springs
Chena is 56 miles east of Fairbanks on a paved road, and Manley is at the end of the Elliott Highway. Tenakee is on the state ferry route from Juneau, and Goddard is 16 miles south of Sitka by skiff or floatplane.
Your questions about Alaska hot springs
Can you see the northern lights from a hot spring in Alaska?
Yes. Chena Hot Springs Resort, 56 miles east of Fairbanks, is one of the best-known places to soak under the aurora in winter.
Are there free hot springs in Alaska?
Yes. The bathhouses at Tenakee Springs, Goddard, Baranof, White Sulphur and Chief Shakes are free, though most need a boat or floatplane to reach.
Are there hot springs near Anchorage?
Not close by. The nearest well-known ones are in the Interior near Fairbanks or in Southeast Alaska.
Do you need a permit for Pilgrim Hot Springs?
Yes. Pilgrim is on private land near Nome and is open to permit holders only.
How to soak responsibly in Alaska
Remote Alaska springs need extra care.
- Plan for weatherFloatplanes and boats can be delayed for days; carry extra food and warm clothes.
- Follow bathhouse hoursTenakee has separate hours for men and women, and bathing there is nude.
- Keep your face out of the waterDon't submerge your head: the CDC links rare brain infections to warm, untreated water.
- Get permission firstPilgrim Hot Springs is on private land and needs a permit.
- Pack out everythingBackcountry springs have no bins or services.
Pictures of hot springs in Alaska
Photos of Chena Hot Springs Resort, Tenakee Hot Springs and Baranof Warm Springs, all hot springs in this guide. We only use photos whose license allows reuse and credit the photographer under each one. The full credits are on our photo credits page.
Sources
This guide was reviewed on . Facts come from the official sources listed below.
- CDC: Preventing brain infection when swimming (head above water)
- Travel Alaska (official state tourism)
- NPS: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (Serpentine Hot Springs)
- USDA Forest Service: Tongass National Forest (Southeast Alaska bathhouses)
Hot springs elsewhere in the United States
Every other state with a hot springs guide.