Shelokum Hot Springs
Also known as Bailey Bay Hot Springs
198°F
Source water (NOAA)
Boat access
Hard access
Free
No fee reported
Shelokum Hot Springs is a natural geothermal pool beside Lake Shelokum on the Cleveland Peninsula, matched to the NOAA Bailey Bay record by coordinates. Reaching it takes a boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay and a 2.2 mile uphill trail with a creek ford. The Forest Service shelter nearby is free.
01 · Before you go
Plan your visit
What to expect on the ground: rules, facilities and when to go.
- Camping nearbyThree-sided Civilian Conservation Corps shelter at the Lake Shelokum inlet, first come first served and free. No sleeping platforms or running water.
- 1 pool
- Quiet
- SeasonMaude Creek ford can be impassable in high water, which is common after heavy rain.
- Free to soakNo entrance fee or permit.
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 Tongass National Forest.
Checked 22 Oct · updated daily
Checked Oct 2026: no closure, fire or trail restriction found on the Tongass site listings or in searches. Guide pages describe the pool as open and free to use.
Source water is scalding, so mix in cold water and test first. Brown bears in the area. Maude Creek crossing in high water. Slippery trail, rapid weather changes, remote boat or floatplane access with tides at the landing. No soap or shampoo in the pool: it holds unique algae and plants.
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03 · Route
Getting there
Nearest town: Ketchikan.
- 1
Bailey Bay on the Cleveland Peninsula, about 48 miles from Ketchikan, reached only by boat or floatplane.
- 2
A trail of roughly 2.2 miles climbs from the shore south of Shelokum Creek to Lake Shelokum, where the pool lies near the west inlet.
55.9830, −131.6610 · nearest town Ketchikan, AK
04 · Where to stay
Stay nearby
Start early and stay close. Places to stay near Ketchikan, from campgrounds to cabins.
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Checked against 3 sources, with closures, wildfires and weather warnings re-checked daily.Show sourcesShare your photosSuggest an update
- alaska.org (location, access, hike, fee, shelter)
- hotspringsguides.com (coordinates, pool, hazards, rules)
- campflare.com (shelter)
