Barnes Lake Hot Springs

City and Borough of Wrangell County, Alaska · Near Wrangell
56.6800°N, 131.8820°W · 129 ft
79°F 46°F air · Good soaking weather 129 ft Open Backcountry US Forest Service Camping nearby (2.5 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Barnes Lake Hot Springs

The orange dot marks the spring, in a frame about three quarters of a mile wide.

Despite the name, Barnes Lake Hot Springs comes out tepid, warm to the hand and no more. It is Tongass National Forest land in the City and Borough of Wrangell, about twenty-five miles from Wrangell, and the Forest Service has it down as open. Nobody has logged water chemistry for it, and the temperature on file is the only measurement there is.

Location

Deep backcountry. The closest road is nearly twenty miles away and has no name on the record. Elevation is barely above tidewater. What stands out is the snow: more than forty feet of it in an average winter, on top of eleven feet of rain. Mount Flemer cabin is the nearest shelter on file, around 2.5 miles away.

Midwinter months come up best on file, December through February, odd as that sounds for a place that gets this much snow. The water is too cool to burn anyone, so there is no scalding concern. Plan the cabin at Mount Flemer as your base. Nobody charges a fee that the record knows of.

Terrain

USGS hasn't flown a detailed laser scan here yet, so this view comes from aerial photos and older elevation data.

Setting
Canyon floor
Steep ground climbs away on both sides of the spring.
Highest ground nearby
625 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the northwest
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from northwest to southeast, about 0.6 miles end to end.

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Monthly Climate
25°
Jan
27°
Feb
31°
Mar
39°
Apr
47°
May
55°
Jun
59°
Jul
59°
Aug
52°
Sep
40°
Oct
31°
Nov
26°
Dec
Annual Precip: 132.8 in Annual Snow: 511.0 in
Best Time to Visit
January Air 25°F · Water 79°F · +54° contrast
December Air 26°F · Water 79°F · +53° contrast
February Air 27°F · Water 79°F · +52° contrast
January offers 34°F more contrast than August
Current Conditions
46°F
Clear SSE 16.9 mph 100% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 66° Low 50° Mostly Sunny
Spring is +13° warmer
Wednesday 59° Low 51° Rain Showers 100% precip
Spring is +20° warmer
Thursday 60° Low 53° Light Rain Likely 70% precip
Spring is +19° warmer
Friday 59° Low 52° Heavy Rain 100% precip
Spring is +20° warmer
Saturday 59° Low 52° Rain 100% precip
Spring is +20° warmer
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Mount Flemer Cabin 2.5 mi away

Overview Mount Flemer Cabin is located on the Stikine River two miles from the border between the United States and Canada, and is popular with paddlers floating the Stikine River. The cabin is located within the Stikine-LeConte Wilderness and offers spectacular views. The site can be accessed by a shallow draft boat, depending on conditions. The tide must be at least 14 feet in order to cross the Stikine River tide flats. Visitors are responsible for their own travel arrangements and safet...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
79°F
Warm Hot Boiling
Water Temp 79°F (26°C)
Avg Air Temp 41°F
Above Ambient +38°F
Mild soaking conditions September
Access
Open
Road Access Backcountry
Distance to Road 19.7 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Forest Service
Designation National Forest
Unit Tongass National Forest
Manager US Forest Service
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the water temperature at Barnes Lake Hot Springs?
Barnes Lake Hot Springs has a water temperature of 79°F (26°C). This is a warm thermal spring.
Where is Barnes Lake Hot Springs located?
Barnes Lake Hot Springs is located in City and Borough of Wrangell, Alaska at 129 feet elevation, near Wrangell. Coordinates: 56.6800°N, 131.8820°W.
How do I get to Barnes Lake Hot Springs?
Barnes Lake Hot Springs has Backcountry road access (19.7 mi from the road).
Is Barnes Lake Hot Springs free to visit?
Barnes Lake Hot Springs has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.
Can I camp near Barnes Lake Hot Springs?
Yes, Mount Flemer Cabin is located nearby (2.5 miles away).