Selawik Hot Springs
140°F
Source water (NOAA)
Access unknown
Hard access
Free
No fee reported
Selawik Hot Springs lies in a timbered valley near the headwaters of the Selawik River in Selawik National Wildlife Refuge, where the stream stays open all winter. Two rustic public cabins and a bathhouse built by local residents serve visitors who arrive over snow, mostly by snowmachine from Shungnak or Huslia. There are no roads or trails and no supplies on site.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Camping nearbyTwo rustic public cabins, usable if unoccupied. No supplies are provided, so bring everything. The Upper Kobuk Elders' Council and the City of Huslia hold the special use permit for the facilities.
- PoolsOne bathhouse plus the spring-fed stream
- QuietWinter, when snow cover allows travel.
- SeasonReachable only when there is snow cover, mainly by snowmachine; occasionally by dog team or skis. No established roads or trails.
- Winter: possible with effortReachable only with snow cover, by snowmachine. Winter guide
- Free to soakThe refuge states no entrance fees or refuge-specific permits for personal recreation.
Best time to go. Winter, when snow cover allows travel.
02 · Live
Conditions
Access status, weather and hazards. Closure feeds are checked automatically every morning.
Access
Check before you go
Winter Storm Warning in effect until Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00 UTC.
Checked 22 Oct · updated daily
Checked Oct 2026: no 2025 or 2026 closure notice found on the refuge pages, and the refuge still lists the springs among its most visited destinations. Coordinates match only approximately: the candidate point (66.367, -156.767) is about 6 miles from the Selawik River source (66.28, -156.85), consistent with the hot springs at the river headwaters; this match is likely but not confirmed by a published coordinate.
Extremely remote winter snowmachine travel with no services; carry all supplies and emergency gear. Local elders advise soaking no more than 15 minutes at first, drinking spring water first, and leaving at once if small bubbles of hot air appear in the water to avoid burns. Cabins and bathhouse are rustic and managed by local groups.
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03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Shungnak.
- 1
Most visitors snowmachine about 50 rugged trail miles south from Shungnak or about 60 miles north from Huslia, in winter.
- 2
The springs sit in a timbered valley near the headwaters of the Selawik River.
- 3
Contact Selawik Refuge headquarters (907-302-4959) for trip planning.
66.3670, −156.7670 · nearest town Shungnak, AK
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Shungnak, 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
- travelalaska.com (access, cabins, bathhouse, health tips)
- fws.gov (refuge listing, fees, contact)
- fws.gov (location, winter stream)
- en.wikipedia.org (headwaters coordinates)
