We’re just going to go on record and say that the fact that Alaska stays moderately “chilly” most of the year is actually totally awesome. Sure, the allure of hot sun and white sandy beaches might do it for some people, but we’d sacrifice that hot weather for our perfectly mild temps any day of the week – especially since it will definitely make enjoying these ten little-known hot springs that much more comfortable, relaxing and completely rejuvenating. Check them out!
- Chena Hot Springs – Fairbanks
Flickr - Rick Webb The most popular hot spring in Alaska is located north of Fairbanks at the Chena Hot Springs Resort. Visit the incredible Aurora Ice Museum and dip in the springs after you’ve had a drink or two at the ice bar. Click here to learn more! Chena Hot Springs Road, Chena Hot Springs Rd, Alaska 99712, USA
- White Sulphur Springs - Chichagof Island
Flickr - Joseph Surrounded by hemlock and spruce trees with an opening to the Pacific Ocean, this island getaway is sure steamy! Rent a cabin for an extra magical experience. Chichagof Island, Alaska, USA
- Manley Hot Springs – Fox
Flickr - Sean Salmon This place was booming back during the mining days, but today it is simple and serene. These three soaking tubs today are located in a private greenhouse and do require reservations in advance to get the full experience. Some say the town of Fox has a creepy history on its own… Manley Hot Springs, AK 99756, USA
- Baranof Warm Springs - Baranof Island
Flickr - Chris deRham 20 miles east of Sitka is this private hot springs batch that is only accessible by boat or float plane. Worth the trip? YES! Click here to learn more about the town of Sitka while you’re there! Baranof, Sitka, AK 99835, USA
- Serpentine Hot Springs - Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
Flickr - Bering Land Bridge National Preserve This special place has been known for its incredible healing powers since it was discovered. Albeit remote, you can stay overnight in a public use cabin and truly enjoy being in wild Alaska. Click here to learn more! Serpentine Hot Springs, AK 99772, USA
- Tenakee Hot Springs - Chichagof Island
Flickr - Joseph The healing properties of this speical place was a hugely attractive to the Tlingit people many, many years ago. Today, it is still abundantly clear that no visit to Tenakee Springs is complete without a dip in the hot springs. Click here to learn more!
- Kanuti River Hot Springs – Dalton Highway
Flickr - Bureau of Land Management Totally off the beaten path yet one of the most spectacular surprises to stumble upon when out enjoying the endless beauty that Alaska has to offer. Click here to learn more! Kanuti River, Alaska, USA
- Pilgrim Hot Springs – Nome
Flickr - GPA Photo Archive This special green oasis is a northern charmer that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Before visiting, check in at the Nome Visitors Center for any directions and permits that might be needed. Pilgrim Hot Springs doubles as a spooky ghost town! Pilgrim Hot Springs, Kougarok Rd, AK, USA
- Shelokum Hot Springs – Ketchikan
Facebook - Sleeping Child Hot Springs for all 90 miles north of Ketchikan, deep in the Tongass National Forest is this magical piece of outdoor paradise. Bailey Bay which is south of Shelokum Creek will lead you to Lake Shelokum. Click here to learn more! Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA
- Kilo Hot Springs in the Ray Mountains.
Flickr - Rick Webb
The most popular hot spring in Alaska is located north of Fairbanks at the Chena Hot Springs Resort. Visit the incredible Aurora Ice Museum and dip in the springs after you’ve had a drink or two at the ice bar. Click here to learn more!
Chena Hot Springs Road, Chena Hot Springs Rd, Alaska 99712, USA
Flickr - Joseph
Surrounded by hemlock and spruce trees with an opening to the Pacific Ocean, this island getaway is sure steamy! Rent a cabin for an extra magical experience.
Chichagof Island, Alaska, USA
Flickr - Sean Salmon
This place was booming back during the mining days, but today it is simple and serene. These three soaking tubs today are located in a private greenhouse and do require reservations in advance to get the full experience. Some say the town of Fox has a creepy history on its own…
Manley Hot Springs, AK 99756, USA
Flickr - Chris deRham
20 miles east of Sitka is this private hot springs batch that is only accessible by boat or float plane. Worth the trip? YES! Click here to learn more about the town of Sitka while you’re there!
Baranof, Sitka, AK 99835, USA
Flickr - Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
This special place has been known for its incredible healing powers since it was discovered. Albeit remote, you can stay overnight in a public use cabin and truly enjoy being in wild Alaska. Click here to learn more!
Serpentine Hot Springs, AK 99772, USA
The healing properties of this speical place was a hugely attractive to the Tlingit people many, many years ago. Today, it is still abundantly clear that no visit to Tenakee Springs is complete without a dip in the hot springs. Click here to learn more!
Flickr - Bureau of Land Management
Totally off the beaten path yet one of the most spectacular surprises to stumble upon when out enjoying the endless beauty that Alaska has to offer. Click here to learn more!
Kanuti River, Alaska, USA
Flickr - GPA Photo Archive
This special green oasis is a northern charmer that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Before visiting, check in at the Nome Visitors Center for any directions and permits that might be needed. Pilgrim Hot Springs doubles as a spooky ghost town!
Pilgrim Hot Springs, Kougarok Rd, AK, USA
Facebook - Sleeping Child Hot Springs for all
90 miles north of Ketchikan, deep in the Tongass National Forest is this magical piece of outdoor paradise. Bailey Bay which is south of Shelokum Creek will lead you to Lake Shelokum. Click here to learn more!
Ketchikan, AK 99901, USA
Once you make the hike in, it is truly like something straight out of a peaceful, relaxing dream. Watch the video above and get excited to add this incredible destination to your Alaska bucket list!
Some other great hot springs in Alaska include Chief Shakes Hot Springs in Wrangell, Goddard Hot Springs in Sitka, and Tolovana Hot Springs on Mile 93 of the Elliott Highway. Do you love exploring all of the amazing things and natural wonders that the last frontier has to offer? Check out these 13 once-in-a-lifetime adventures that you can ONLY have in Alaska!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hot Springs in Alaska February 15, 2022 Tori Jane How many natural hot springs in Alaska are there? The U.S. Geological Survey places at least 79 natural thermal springs in the state of Alaska. Many of them are much too hot for people to swim or soak in, but others are absolutely perfect. You’ll find springs that are developed – that is, folks have built resorts or retreats or campgrounds or anything else up around them – and undeveloped, meaning they’re wild and free (and a little risker). If you’re a fan of the former, visit resorts like Chena Hot Springs, in Fairbanks, which might just be Alaska’s most popular hot springs resort, and make sure you also check out Manley Hot Springs. If you prefer your hot springs undeveloped and just as nature made them, some of your options include Akutan Hot Springs, Baranof Warm Springs, and many more. Some of the undeveloped hot springs in Alaska require a hike to reach them, which cuts down on traffic so you’re more likely to have the springs to yourself. For a list of some of those epic hot springs hikes in Alaska, check this article out. What is winter in Alaska like? Well, to put it lightly: it’s a bit chilly. Frigid, even. Average winter daytime temperatures range from 0 to –30 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below freezing. Coastal areas tend to be cloudy and droll at wintertime, though the landscape itself is utterly splendid all year-‘round. The state receives about 64.46 inches of snow annually, which is significantly more than the United States average of right around 28 inches. Snowstorm events where more than five inches of snow falls in a days’ time occur about four or five times per season, and ice storms occasionally strike as well. Winter can be a perilous time of year for those who fail to properly prepare for it. The extreme cold might make life a little more inconvenient, but we’ll also be the first to say that few things are quite as lovely as the Alaskan wilderness coated in a layer of fluffy fresh snow.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hot Springs in Alaska
February 15, 2022
Tori Jane
How many natural hot springs in Alaska are there? The U.S. Geological Survey places at least 79 natural thermal springs in the state of Alaska. Many of them are much too hot for people to swim or soak in, but others are absolutely perfect. You’ll find springs that are developed – that is, folks have built resorts or retreats or campgrounds or anything else up around them – and undeveloped, meaning they’re wild and free (and a little risker). If you’re a fan of the former, visit resorts like Chena Hot Springs, in Fairbanks, which might just be Alaska’s most popular hot springs resort, and make sure you also check out Manley Hot Springs. If you prefer your hot springs undeveloped and just as nature made them, some of your options include Akutan Hot Springs, Baranof Warm Springs, and many more. Some of the undeveloped hot springs in Alaska require a hike to reach them, which cuts down on traffic so you’re more likely to have the springs to yourself. For a list of some of those epic hot springs hikes in Alaska, check this article out. What is winter in Alaska like? Well, to put it lightly: it’s a bit chilly. Frigid, even. Average winter daytime temperatures range from 0 to –30 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below freezing. Coastal areas tend to be cloudy and droll at wintertime, though the landscape itself is utterly splendid all year-‘round. The state receives about 64.46 inches of snow annually, which is significantly more than the United States average of right around 28 inches. Snowstorm events where more than five inches of snow falls in a days’ time occur about four or five times per season, and ice storms occasionally strike as well. Winter can be a perilous time of year for those who fail to properly prepare for it. The extreme cold might make life a little more inconvenient, but we’ll also be the first to say that few things are quite as lovely as the Alaskan wilderness coated in a layer of fluffy fresh snow.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The U.S. Geological Survey places at least 79 natural thermal springs in the state of Alaska. Many of them are much too hot for people to swim or soak in, but others are absolutely perfect. You’ll find springs that are developed – that is, folks have built resorts or retreats or campgrounds or anything else up around them – and undeveloped, meaning they’re wild and free (and a little risker). If you’re a fan of the former, visit resorts like Chena Hot Springs, in Fairbanks, which might just be Alaska’s most popular hot springs resort, and make sure you also check out Manley Hot Springs. If you prefer your hot springs undeveloped and just as nature made them, some of your options include Akutan Hot Springs, Baranof Warm Springs, and many more. Some of the undeveloped hot springs in Alaska require a hike to reach them, which cuts down on traffic so you’re more likely to have the springs to yourself. For a list of some of those epic hot springs hikes in Alaska, check this article out.
What is winter in Alaska like?
Well, to put it lightly: it’s a bit chilly. Frigid, even. Average winter daytime temperatures range from 0 to –30 degrees Fahrenheit, which is well below freezing. Coastal areas tend to be cloudy and droll at wintertime, though the landscape itself is utterly splendid all year-‘round. The state receives about 64.46 inches of snow annually, which is significantly more than the United States average of right around 28 inches. Snowstorm events where more than five inches of snow falls in a days’ time occur about four or five times per season, and ice storms occasionally strike as well. Winter can be a perilous time of year for those who fail to properly prepare for it. The extreme cold might make life a little more inconvenient, but we’ll also be the first to say that few things are quite as lovely as the Alaskan wilderness coated in a layer of fluffy fresh snow.
