Alaska Hot Springs Trip Planner

Plan your soak in America's last frontier. From road-accessible resort pools to remote wilderness springs reached by boat or bush plane, Alaska offers a geothermal experience like nowhere else.

🗺️

Interactive Map

View all Alaska springs, get directions, and see access requirements

⏱️

Drive Time Zones

See what's reachable from Anchorage, Fairbanks, or Juneau in 30 min to 3 hours

🛂

Passport Tracking

Track visited springs and earn badges

Open Full Map & Planner →

Featured Itineraries

Chena Hot Springs Weekend

A 2-day getaway from Fairbanks to Alaska's most accessible developed hot spring resort, open year-round under the aurora.

1

Drive to Chena

Drive 57 miles from Fairbanks on Chena Hot Springs Road. Stop at our Alaska springs guides along the way. Check in at Chena Hot Springs Resort.

2

Soak & Explore

Soak in the indoor rock pool and outdoor hot tubs. Visit the Aurora Ice Museum carved from year-round ice. In winter, watch the northern lights from the outdoor soaking pool.

Distance: ~57 miles from Fairbanks Best Season: Year-round (aurora viewing Sep–Apr) Difficulty: Easy — paved road access

Southeast Alaska Boat-In Springs Expedition

A 5-day charter adventure from Sitka visiting remote geothermal pools accessible only by boat or floatplane in the Tongass National Forest.

1

Depart Sitka

Charter a boat or join a tour from Sitka. Cruise through Sitka Sound toward Baranof Island's east coast.

2

Baranof Warm Springs

Soak at Baranof Warm Springs Bay, a series of natural pools and a developed bathhouse with a waterfall view. Anchor overnight.

3

Chief Shakes Hot Springs

Cruise south to Hot Springs Bay on the east coast of Baranof Island. Hike the boardwalk trail to Chief Shakes Hot Springs, a two-pool natural soak in the rainforest.

4

Goddard Hot Springs

Sail to Goddard Hot Springs near Sitka's south coast. Two sheltered cedar bathhouses sit above natural geothermal seeps on a remote shoreline.

5

Return to Sitka

Cruise back to Sitka. Explore the Russian Bishop's House and Alaska Raptor Center before departure.

Access: Boat or floatplane charter only Best Season: May through September Difficulty: Moderate — requires charter booking and weather flexibility

Interior Alaska Remote Springs Loop

A 3-day road trip from Fairbanks into Alaska's interior to visit two historic road-accessible hot springs with gold rush history.

1

Fairbanks to Manley

Drive the Elliott Highway 150 miles northwest to Manley Hot Springs. Soak in the small greenhouse-sheltered pool at Manley Roadhouse, a historic roadhouse from the gold rush era.

2

Steese Highway to Circle

Return to Fairbanks, then take the Steese Highway 160 miles northeast to Circle Hot Springs. The historic resort has a large outdoor pool fed by 140-degree geothermal water.

3

Return via Chena

Drive back toward Fairbanks and detour to Chena Hot Springs for a final soak before heading home.

Distance: ~500 miles total Best Season: Late May through September (highways close in winter) Difficulty: Moderate — long gravel sections, limited services

Planning Tips

📅 Seasonal Considerations

  • Summer (Jun–Aug): Long daylight hours, most road and boat access open, peak mosquito season
  • Fall (Sep–Oct): Cooler soaks, aurora viewing begins, fewer tourists, some charter services wind down
  • Winter (Nov–Mar): Chena Hot Springs open year-round; most interior roads and boat-in springs inaccessible
  • Spring (Apr–May): Breakup season — roads may be soft or closed, check Alaska DOT 511 before travel

🎒 What to Bring

  • Bear spray — brown and black bears are active near most springs
  • Insect repellent and head net — mosquitoes and no-see-ums are intense in summer
  • Warm layers — temperatures can drop 30 degrees in a single day
  • Waterproof dry bag for boat-in springs
  • Extra fuel for remote interior roads — gas stations are far apart
  • Satellite messenger (Garmin inReach) — cell service is absent in most areas

🚗 Transportation

  • 4WD or AWD recommended for gravel roads (Elliott, Steese, Denali Highways)
  • Check Alaska DOT 511 (511.alaska.gov) for road conditions and closures
  • Southeast springs require boat charter or floatplane — book well in advance
  • Download offline maps — cell service stops within an hour of most cities
  • Rental cars in Alaska often come with limited gravel road coverage

🏕️ Accommodation

  • Chena Hot Springs Resort has lodging, yurts, and camping
  • Manley Roadhouse offers basic rooms and a small bar
  • Southeast springs have no lodging — anchor out or charter day trips
  • Bear-resistant food storage required at all backcountry campsites
  • Book summer lodging in Fairbanks and Anchorage months in advance

Ready to Start Planning?

Use our interactive map to find Alaska hot springs, check access requirements, and build your custom route.

Open Trip Planner Map →