Searching for your next Alaskan winter adventure? Look no further, as we have your next weekend winter experience right here. This little-known hot spring in Alaska is off the beaten path, but oh so dreamy. Located 45 air miles north of Fairbanks, the Tolovana Hot Springs are very remote, but worth every second of the trip it takes to get there!

The Tolovana Hot Springs are a band of hot springs and seeps located beneath the Tolovana Hot Springs Dome. The hot springs sit at around 125-145 degrees F.
Tolovana Hot Springs
The water is low in sulfites and has the same salinity of seawater (about 4% saline.) The area is incredibly relaxing and is set in a clearing of grasses, mint, algae, and rocks.
The springs are located approximately 45 air miles north of Fairbanks. This location is remote, and getting access to the cabins and hot springs are considered a "wilderness journey." Make sure you are prepared!
Tolovana Hot Springs
There are four separate ways of winter access onto the property. There is a 10.1-mile hiking trail, a 26-mile snow machine, dog mushing, or winter biking access trail. For the ambitious, there is also a 50-mile trail, which caters to snow machine, dog sleds, or skiing. For a quick drop-off, there is a public access airstrip approximately one mile from the cabins, and there may be a single tie down for a plane.
The cabins are rustic but very comfortable. They offer many amenities not seen in traditional Alaska Public Use Cabins. These accommodations allow you to slip into a simpler time of hauling water, splitting wood, and relaxing in the warm springs.
Tolovana Hot Springs
In the winter, you will be afforded the opportunity to gaze at the northern lights in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. The hot tubs are exposed to all of the elements, so jumping in and out in the winter is part of the experience!

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There are three separate cabins for rent. One that sleeps 6 guests, one that sleeps 4, and one that can only fit 2 people. These are all basic, dry accommodations with access to a fresh water spring for drinking and cleaning water.
Tolovana Hot Springs
Propane is provided for all of the cabins. There is also firewood outside, although the wood may need to be cut to the right length. Luckily, a handsaw is provided. Inside the cabins, there are also limited amenities, including sleeping pads, a propane stove, some dishes, a wood stove, LED lights, and 5-gallon water jugs.
There are four hot tubs. None of the tubs are assigned to any cabin, so you can jump in whichever one looks like it would suit you best!
Tolovana Hot Springs
For privacy, the tubs each have their own deck and are located 200 feet from each other. The water will continually flow in and out of each tub, so the temperature stays perfect. Remember to keep all chemicals and soap out of this water! The use of them in these areas is forbidden.
Getting yourself and your gear to Tolovana Hot Springs is an adventure in and of itself. The temperatures frequently hover in the negatives, dipping as low as -40 or colder in the winter. This is a trip that must be well thought out and packed for with great forethought. But when you get out there, the stunning scenery and delicious hot springs are well worth every moment getting there!
Tolovana Hot Springs
Reservations are required and can be made up to three months in advance of your trip. If Alaska State Troopers issue a travel advisory for cold weather, the Elliot Highway may be shut down and access to the trailheads could be closed, so do keep this in mind while planning and upon the day of your arrival.

Want more information to plan for your trip to this unique hot spring in Alaska? Check out the Tolovana Hot Springs website here. Need a place to stock up on some delicious, warm food after your weekend in these rustic cabins? Fairbanks has the most amazing Mac And Cheese Bar in Alaska — you’ll need to restock some of those calories you burned, anyway!

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More to Explore

Hot Springs in Alaska

Tori Jane | January 24, 2022

Are there any hot springs resorts in Alaska?  

There most certainly are! With a grand total of 79 known natural hot springs all over the state, there are several that have had resorts built up around them. There is always the most famous hot springs resort around here, the Chena Hot Springs, as well as the wonderful springs we discussed in the article above (Tolovana Hot Springs). Of course, those aren’t your only options! We love Manley Hot Springs, which is settled in an old mining town 150 miles from Fairbanks. Sure, it might be a ghost town now, but the springs are a popular destination to this day. Also, you might want to check out Circle Hot Springs, which is 130 miles from Fairbanks; the lodge is either open or not, so you might want to double-check before arriving at that one.  

How many natural hot springs in Alaska are there?  

Alaska is home to 79 natural hot springs. Many of them are accessible only by a hike, boat, or plane; this makes them a lot more remote than most hot springs you might find elsewhere in the country, and they don’t tend to be overly crowded unless you opt for one of the most popular springs like Chena or Tolovana. Other springs that don’t get enough love include Shelokum Hot Springs, which maintains a temperature of nearly 200 degrees year-round, and White Sulfur Springs, both of which can be found in Tongass National Forest. If you find yourself at or near Shelokum, make sure to check out Bell Island Hot Springs, which is a favorite soaking spot amongst the locals. Some springs are quite the oddity; there’s a carbonated spring in a remote area of Alaska only accessible by plane or boat, and it’s called Trocadero Soda Springs. We love Alaska’s amazing hot springs, and we think you will too; with almost 80 of them to choose from, it might be hard at first, but that’s okay – there's plenty of time to experience them all!  

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Tolovana Hot Springs, Alaska, USA