Alaska doesn’t do anything small. The mountains are bigger, the skies are wider, and the silence is deeper than anywhere else in the United States. It should come as no surprise that the hot springs in Alaska follow the same rule — they’re remote, wild, and completely unforgettable in a way that a roadside soak in the lower 48 simply can’t replicate. Whether you’re watching the aurora shimmer overhead from a steaming outdoor pool near Fairbanks, soaking in a Forest Service bathhouse tucked into a Southeast Alaska rainforest, or backpacking into a volcanic landscape on the Seward Peninsula to find geothermal pools that almost no one visits, Alaska delivers a hot springs experience that feels genuinely earned.
This guide covers the best hot springs Alaska has to offer — across all types, all regions, and all levels of accessibility. Some you can reach by road. Others demand a floatplane, a boat, or a serious backcountry commitment. All of them are worth knowing about.
Why Alaska Hot Springs Hit Different
Geothermal activity in Alaska is driven by the same Pacific Ring of Fire that fuels hot springs across the American West — but in Alaska, that volcanic energy plays out across a landscape that’s largely untamed and sparsely populated. The result is geothermal water bubbling up in places where you might not see another person for days.
The cold amplifies everything. Soaking in genuinely hot water when the air temperature is well below freezing — or when snow is falling around you — creates a sensation that’s hard to describe to someone who hasn’t experienced it. The contrast between the steaming pools and the frozen world around them is almost meditative. This is why Alaska’s hot springs attract a devoted, adventurous following among serious soakers.
Southeast Alaska adds another dimension entirely. The Alexander Archipelago, with its maze of islands, fjords, and old-growth rainforest, hosts a cluster of Forest Service hot springs accessible only by boat or floatplane. These springs blend into the temperate rainforest in a way that feels ancient and deeply private.
Developed Hot Springs and Resorts
Chena Hot Springs Resort
If there’s one name synonymous with hot springs in Alaska, it’s Chena. Located in Interior Alaska northeast of Fairbanks, Chena Hot Springs Resort is the state’s most famous geothermal destination — and for good reason. The resort has been drawing visitors for well over a century, and it’s evolved into a genuinely impressive facility without losing the soul of the place.
The signature experience here is the outdoor rock lake, a massive natural pool surrounded by boreal forest where you can float under open sky while the temperature around you hovers near freezing. In winter, that sky frequently blazes with the northern lights. Soaking in a natural hot spring pool while the aurora dances overhead is one of those experiences that stays with you permanently.
Chena also offers geothermal-heated indoor pools, an ice museum carved entirely from permafrost, aurora-viewing excursions, dog sledding, and more. It functions as a genuine resort, so you can make a multi-night stay of it rather than a quick visit. That said, even if you only come for an afternoon soak, the drive through the Chena River State Recreation Area is spectacular in every season.
This is the most accessible developed hot spring in Interior Alaska, and it earns its reputation. If you’re visiting Fairbanks and want a quintessential Alaska soaking experience, Chena is your anchor point.
Explore Chena Hot Springs with GPS directions, current conditions, and community reviews in the Soakr app. Download free for iOS
Tenakee Springs
The small community of Tenakee Springs, on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska, is built around a single natural hot spring — literally. The communal bathhouse at the center of town has been the social heart of this remote community for generations, and visiting feels like stepping into a different era of Alaska life.
Tenakee is accessible only by ferry or floatplane, which filters out casual visitors and gives the place a genuine sense of remoteness even though it’s technically a town. The bathhouse runs on a schedule of separate hours for men and women, a tradition that dates back to the community’s founding. Soaking here is a local experience as much as a tourist one — you’ll likely share the water with year-round residents who commute by boat to get groceries.
The town itself is worth exploring: a single gravel path (no cars are allowed) lined with colorful cabins, a small bakery, and dramatic views of Tenakee Inlet. It’s a reminder that in Alaska, some of the best experiences aren’t packaged for tourism — they’re just places where people live.
Find Tenakee Springs in the Soakr app for directions, current access details, and community check-ins. Download free for iOS
Goddard Hot Springs
South of Sitka on the outer coast of Baranof Island, Goddard Hot Springs offers one of the most atmospheric soaking experiences in Southeast Alaska. Two Forest Service bathhouses sit above the tideline, fed by naturally hot water that flows down from the hillside. Accessible by boat or floatplane from Sitka, reaching Goddard is an adventure in itself — you’re navigating the island-dotted waters of the outer coast, with the open Pacific not far beyond.
The setting is classic Southeast Alaska: towering Sitka spruce, moss-draped rocks, sea channels reflecting the grey sky, and the occasional eagle overhead. The bathhouses are simple and well-maintained, each with a deep soaking tub. It’s free to use, and the surrounding area has a beautiful beach and excellent wildlife watching. This is a favorite day trip for Sitka locals, which tells you something.
White Sulphur Hot Springs
Also near Sitka, White Sulphur Hot Springs is one of the gems of the Tongass National Forest. The Forest Service maintains a small cabin here (reserveable in advance) and an enclosed bathhouse built around the natural hot spring. Like Goddard, it’s accessible by boat or floatplane only — but the journey through the protected waters of the Kruzof Island coastline is part of the appeal.
The bathhouse at White Sulphur is small and intimate, designed for a handful of soakers at a time. Staying overnight in the Forest Service cabin lets you have the spring to yourself in the early morning or evening hours, when the light through the surrounding old-growth forest is extraordinary. If you’re planning a Southeast Alaska visit with any interest in backcountry cabin experiences, White Sulphur belongs on your list.
Bell Island Hot Springs
Further southeast, near Ketchikan, Bell Island Hot Springs is another remote gem accessible only by floatplane or boat. The springs here feed a small developed facility that has operated for many years as a remote retreat. The surrounding waters are rich with marine life — Dall’s porpoise, sea lions, and eagles are regular visitors — and the combination of geothermal soaking and Southeast Alaska wildlife makes it a singular experience.
Explore all 50+ hot springs in Alaska with GPS directions, offline maps, and community reviews in Soakr. Download free for iOS
Baranof Warm Springs
On the east coast of Baranof Island, the small community of Baranof Warm Springs clusters around a geothermal area where warm water feeds into the bay. Accessible by float plane or boat from Sitka or Petersburg, this spot offers a simple, community-maintained soaking facility alongside some of the most beautiful fjord scenery in Southeast Alaska. The waterfall above town, the salmon that crowd the stream in season, and the mirror-calm waters of the bay combine to make this one of those places that feels genuinely off the grid even by Alaska standards.
Primitive and Backcountry Springs
Pilgrim Hot Springs
On the Seward Peninsula in Western Alaska, Pilgrim Hot Springs is one of the most historically significant geothermal sites in the state. The springs here feed a large, shallow warm pond and a series of smaller pools in a landscape that’s almost surreal — boreal vegetation flourishes in an otherwise stark subarctic setting, nourished by the geothermal warmth rising from below. The visual contrast between the lush, steaming oasis and the surrounding tundra is immediately striking.
Pilgrim has a complex history. A Catholic mission and orphanage operated here in the early 20th century, and the ruins of those buildings are still visible, lending the site an eerie, layered quality. Getting here is an expedition — the road from Nome is rough and the journey is not casual, but for those willing to make the effort, Pilgrim is genuinely unlike anything else in the state.
Get current access conditions, GPS coordinates, and community reports for Pilgrim Hot Springs in Soakr. Download free for iOS
Tolovana Hot Springs
In the Interior, northwest of Fairbanks, Tolovana Hot Springs rewards those willing to earn their soak. A backcountry trail through boreal forest leads to a series of hot pools maintained by volunteer-built wooden tubs and a public-use cabin managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The springs are hot — genuinely, satisfyingly hot — and the setting deep in the spruce and birch forest feels properly remote.
Tolovana is a popular winter snowshoeing and cross-country skiing destination, and many visitors consider a winter approach the definitive way to experience it. Arriving at the steaming pools after traveling through a snow-blanketed forest, with temperatures well below freezing, is the kind of experience that defines Alaska adventuring. In summer, the trail is hikeable but conditions can vary significantly — the Soakr app has community-sourced current conditions for the approach.
Serpentine Hot Springs
Remote even by Alaska standards, Serpentine Hot Springs sits near the northern edge of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve on the Seward Peninsula. This is one of the most striking geothermal landscapes in the state — a rocky, otherworldly terrain studded with granite tors, with hot water flowing through channels in the valley floor. A public-use cabin operated by the National Park Service gives visitors a base for exploring the area.
The Seward Peninsula is a stronghold of Alaska Native culture, and the landscape around Serpentine carries deep historical significance for the Iñupiat people. Approaching the area with respect for both the land and its cultural heritage is important. For serious hot springs adventurers, Serpentine represents the frontier end of the spectrum — genuinely wild, genuinely remote, and genuinely extraordinary.
Manley Hot Springs
The small community of Manley Hot Springs, at the end of the Elliott Highway in Interior Alaska, is one of those quintessential end-of-the-road Alaska places. The town is tiny — a few hundred people year-round — and the hot springs here have been a gathering point for locals for generations.
A private greenhouse fed by the geothermal water has historically been available for soaking, alongside natural outdoor pools. The vibe at Manley is decidedly local and unhurried. You’re not coming here for resort amenities — you’re coming for the particular Alaska experience of finding warmth and community at the edge of a vast wilderness. The drive out on the Elliott Highway is itself an adventure, passing through boreal forest and rolling hills with the Alaska Range visible to the south.
Discover Manley Hot Springs with full details, GPS, and community check-ins in the Soakr app. Download free for iOS
Chief Andrew Isaac Hot Springs
Near Delta Junction in Interior Alaska, Chief Andrew Isaac Hot Springs honors the memory of an important Athabascan leader and elder. These are lesser-known springs even within Alaska, which means you have a reasonable chance of soaking in relative solitude. The setting is classic Interior Alaska — wide river valleys, boreal forest, and the distant white peaks of the Alaska Range. For visitors making the drive along the Alaska Highway, this is a worthy detour.
Hutlinana Hot Springs
Another backcountry Interior Alaska spring, Hutlinana requires a proper commitment to reach — a trail through boreal forest leads to a natural soaking pool that sees very limited traffic. This is the kind of spring that rewards those who’ve done their homework and are genuinely comfortable with remote Alaska travel. The reward is a completely private, completely natural soaking experience in country that feels entirely wild. No crowds, no signage, no infrastructure — just the forest, the geothermal water, and the silence.
Planning Your Alaska Hot Springs Trip
Best Time to Visit
This depends entirely on what experience you’re after. Winter — roughly November through March — is prime time for aurora viewing at Chena and other Interior springs, and the combination of cold air and hot water is at its most dramatic. Temperatures can drop well below zero, so come prepared with serious cold-weather gear for the journey between facilities.
Summer (June through August) offers long daylight hours and easier access to backcountry springs, with the tundra and boreal forest in full green. The endless summer light creates a dreamlike quality for outdoor soaking — the sun barely sets, and a midnight soak in natural light is a genuine Alaska experience.
Shoulder seasons — May and September-October — offer a mix: fall colors in the Interior are spectacular, and the first hard frosts return that all-important soaking contrast. Spring breakup (late April and May) can make some backcountry routes extremely difficult or impassable.
Accessibility and Logistics
Alaska is a big state with infrastructure that doesn’t always match the size of the landscape. Several of the best hot springs require floatplane access or boat travel, which adds cost and planning complexity. For Southeast Alaska springs like Goddard, White Sulphur, and Baranof Warm Springs, building them into a broader Southeast cruise or fly-in itinerary makes the logistics more manageable.
For Interior springs, Fairbanks is your hub. Chena is easily done as a day trip or overnight from Fairbanks. Tolovana, Manley, and the more remote springs require more planning and appropriate backcountry experience.
Wildlife Awareness
Bears are a reality in most of Alaska’s hot spring areas. Carry bear spray and know how to use it. In coastal Southeast Alaska, brown bear encounters near hot springs are not unusual — particularly during salmon season when bears are active along streams. In the Interior, both black bears and grizzlies are present. The Soakr app includes current community check-ins that often include recent wildlife activity reports for specific sites.
Leave No Trace
Alaska’s remote hot springs are fragile ecosystems. The vegetation around geothermal areas is uniquely sensitive — the plants that grow in and around hot spring channels can take decades to recover from trampling. Stick to established paths and existing pools, carry out everything you bring in, and leave the springs exactly as you found them. Alaska’s hot spring culture is built on the principle that access is a privilege worth protecting.
Permits and Forest Service Cabins
Several of the Southeast Alaska hot springs are tied to Forest Service cabin systems that require advance reservations. These cabins book up well in advance, particularly for summer weekends and popular windows. The Soakr app flags which springs have permit or reservation requirements so you can plan accordingly — check current requirements well before your trip.
If you’re building a broader Pacific Northwest hot springs itinerary, it’s worth knowing that the springs of Montana, Idaho, and Washington all offer their own flavors of backcountry soaking that pair naturally with an Alaska adventure. And if the wilderness end of the spectrum appeals to you, our guide to hot springs camping covers everything you need to know about planning a soak-and-camp trip in remote terrain.
For a deeper look at everything Alaska’s geothermal landscape has to offer — including springs not covered in this guide — the Alaska state guide on Soakr is your best starting point.
Final Thoughts on Hot Springs in Alaska
There are roughly 50 documented hot springs in Alaska in the Soakr database, and they span an extraordinary range — from full-service resorts with world-class aurora viewing to remote backcountry pools that require days of travel to reach. What unites them is the unmistakable Alaska quality: the scale, the silence, the wildness, and the sense that you’ve found something genuinely away from the world.
Alaska’s hot springs aren’t for everyone. The logistics are real, the distances are vast, and some of the best spots demand a level of self-sufficiency that not every traveler is prepared for. But if you’re the kind of person who reads a hot springs guide to the end, you’re probably the kind of person for whom Alaska will be exactly right.
The water is waiting. The aurora runs on its own schedule. Go find them.
Alaska’s 50+ hot springs — plus over 2,000 more across the US — are in the Soakr app. Get GPS directions, offline maps, community check-ins, current conditions, and filters for primitive, developed, and resort springs. Download Soakr free for iOS