Kanuti Hot Springs
151°F
Source water (NOAA)
Boat access
Hard access
Free
No fee reported
Kanuti Hot Springs is an undeveloped group of geothermal pools in the Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge, north of the Arctic Circle. Water emerges between about 110 and 151 F and visitors reach it by packrafting the Kanuti River from the Dalton Highway, or on skis in winter. There are no facilities of any kind, so trips require full backcountry self-sufficiency.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Camping nearbyUndeveloped backcountry camping only. There are no campgrounds, trails, outhouses or structures.
- PoolsSeveral pools in a thawed area of about an acre
- QuietSummer and early fall, when daylight is long and water levels are more predictable.
- SeasonSummer and early fall are the usual season (packraft down the Kanuti River). Winter access is by ski or snowmachine for experienced Arctic travelers. Spring breakup brings high water and unpredictable travel.
- Free to soakNo fee, permit or reservation is required.
Best time to go. Summer and early fall, when daylight is long and water levels are more predictable.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
No closures reported
No closure, fire or weather warning found in Forest Service, wildfire (NIFC) or National Weather Service feeds. That isn't confirmation it's open, so check with Kanuti National Wildlife Refuge.
Checked 22 Oct · updated daily
Checked Oct 2026: no 2025 or 2026 closure, fire or access restriction turned up in search results for the refuge or the springs; the Dalton Highway trailhead is the standard approach. The refuge staff share the Bettles visitor center and can be reached on 907-456-0329 for current conditions.
Very remote with no cell service, trails, signage or emergency infrastructure; visitors must be fully self-sufficient. Brown and black bears are present, with activity peaking in spring. River travel by packraft depends on water level, and spring breakup is risky. Source water reaches about 151 F, so soak near cooler inflow. Winter travel means extreme cold and navigation in the Arctic. Cyanobacteria colour the pool edges.
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03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Bettles.
- 1
Start at the Dalton Highway crossing of the Kanuti River near mile 103, about 100 miles north of Fairbanks.
- 2
Most visitors packraft roughly 14 miles down the river to the springs, then walk the Caribou Mountain ridgeline back to the highway.
- 3
The springs lie about 12 miles west of the road.
- 4
A Bettles B-2 topographic map and compass navigation are recommended.
66.3420, −150.8500 · nearest town Bettles, AK
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Bettles, from campgrounds to cabins.
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Checked against 4 sources, with closures, wildfires and weather warnings re-checked daily.Show sourcesShare your photosSuggest an update
- hotspringsguides.com (access, temperatures, hazards, fee, season, directions)
- fws.gov (land manager, facilities, contact)
- en.wikipedia.org (location, temperatures)
- travelalaska.com (access overview)
