State guides
Alaska Hot Springs: Chena, Manley, Tenakee and Northern Lights Soaks
Last updated October 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Alaska has dozens of hot springs, but only a handful are easy to reach. The rest are in roadless country, on islands or deep in the Aleutians. That remoteness is the point: soaking under the northern lights at 30 below, or in a cedar tub after a boat ride through the Inside Passage, is unforgettable.
Interior Alaska: aurora country
Chena Hot Springs is the easiest and most famous. It is about 60 miles east of Fairbanks at the end of a paved road, with an outdoor rock lake, indoor pools, lodging, a geothermal power plant and an ice museum. Aurora season runs roughly from late August to mid-April.
Manley Hot Springs, at the end of the Elliott Highway, has soaking tubs inside a greenhouse full of plants, run by a local family. Call ahead.
Tolovana Hot Springs is reached by a trail of about 11 miles from the Elliott Highway. Visitors book rustic cabins and soak in outdoor tubs. In winter it is a serious backcountry trip.
Circle Hot Springs near Central was once a popular resort but has been closed for years.
Southeast Alaska: Inside Passage soaks
Tenakee Springs on Chichagof Island is a small town built around a public bathhouse, with set hours for men and women. Reach it by ferry or floatplane from Juneau.
Goddard Hot Springs, south of Sitka, has free soaking tubs in shelters overlooking the ocean. Access is by boat or floatplane.
Chief Shakes Hot Springs on the Stikine River near Wrangell has an outdoor tub and an enclosed tub, reached by jet boat.
The Aleutians and the Alaska Peninsula
Many of the hottest springs in our Alaska listings are on volcanic islands in the Aleutian chain. They are research and expedition destinations, not casual trips.
Tips
- Winter temperatures around Fairbanks can fall below -30°F. Wet hair freezes quickly.
- Book remote cabins and transport early.
- Bears are active in summer. Make noise on trails and store food properly.
See the Alaska hot springs map.
Springs in this guide
- Chena Hot Springs153°F
- Manley Hot Springs133°F
- Tolovana Hot Springs140°F
- Tenakee Hot Springs109°F
- Goddard Hot Springs153°F
- Chief Shakes Hot Springs122°F
- Circle Hot Springs135°F
Listed Alaska hot springs
The 25 best-documented of 36 Alaska springs in our directory. See all Alaska hot springs on a map.
| Hot spring | Water temp | Type | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tolovana Hot Springs | 140°F | Developed | Ester, AK (38 mi) |
| Adagdax Hot Springs | Not recorded | Natural | Remote |
| Horner Hot Springs | 117°F | Natural | Willow, AK (265 mi) |
| Hot Springs near Geyser Bight 1981 record | 216°F | Natural | Unalaska, AK (91 mi) |
| Hot Springs near Hot Springs Cove 1981 record | 192°F | Natural | Unalaska, AK (87 mi) |
| Bell Island Hot Springs 1981 record | 165°F | Natural | Ketchikan, AK (41 mi) |
| Bradfield Canal Hot Springs 1981 record | 135°F | Natural | Wrangell, AK (46 mi) |
| Chena Hot Springs 1981 record | 153°F | Natural | North Pole, AK (43 mi) |
| Chief Shakes Hot Springs 1981 record | 122°F | Natural | Wrangell, AK (22 mi) |
| Circle Hot Springs 1981 record | 135°F | Natural | Salcha, AK (94 mi) |
| Dall Hot Springs 1981 record | 129°F | Natural | Ester, AK (104 mi) |
| Dalton (craig) Hot Springs 1981 record | 109°F | Natural | Craig, AK (22 mi) |
| Gas Rocks Hot Spring 1981 record | 127°F | Natural | Dillingham, AK (108 mi) |
| Goddard Hot Springs 1981 record | 153°F | Natural | Sitka, AK (15 mi) |
| Hot Spring near Fish Bay 1981 record | 117°F | Natural | Sitka, AK (21 mi) |
| Hot Spring near Mother Goose Lake 1981 record | 138°F | Natural | Dillingham, AK (139 mi) |
| Hot Spring near Port Moller 1981 record | 160°F | Natural | Sand Point, AK (36 mi) |
| Hot Springs East of Cold Bay 1981 record | 129°F | Natural | King Cove, AK (13 mi) |
| Hot Springs near Division Bm 1981 record | 140°F | Natural | Kotzebue, AK (164 mi) |
| Hot Springs near Makushin Volcano 1981 record | 93°F | Natural | Dutch Harbor, AK (14 mi) |
| Hot Springs near Morzhovoi 1981 record | 145°F | Natural | King Cove, AK (38 mi) |
| Hot Springs North End Tenakee Inlet 1981 record | 180°F | Natural | Juneau, AK (61 mi) |
| Hot Springs on Great Sitkin Island 1981 record | 210°F | Natural | Remote |
| Hot Springs on Hawk River 1981 record | 122°F | Natural | Kotzebue, AK (145 mi) |
| Hutlinana Hot Springs 1981 record | 109°F | Natural | Ester, AK (63 mi) |
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the northern lights from a hot spring in Alaska?
Yes. Chena Hot Springs, about 60 miles from Fairbanks, is famous for aurora viewing from its outdoor rock lake on clear, dark nights, mainly from late August to mid-April.
How do you get to Tolovana Hot Springs?
By a trail of about 11 miles from the Elliott Highway, on foot, skis, snowmobile or by small plane. Visitors stay in rustic cabins booked in advance.
Is Circle Hot Springs open?
The Circle Hot Springs resort has been closed for many years. Check locally before making plans.