Neka Hot Spring

Sitka City and Borough County, Alaska · Near Sitka
58.0883°N, 135.8479°W · 69 ft
69 ft Open Short Walk USFS Camping nearby (6.6 mi)
Aerial view of the ground around Neka Hot Spring

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

Neka Hot Spring is a Tongass National Forest spring near sea level in the Sitka City and Borough, and Sitka itself is about 62 miles away. Access is open. OpenStreetMap has it tagged as a hot spring, though the file gives no water temperature, so the name's claim of heat is unverified. The Forest Service owns the ground.

Location

A short walk, about 400 feet from F R 8580 Road, across Forest Service ground in the Tongass. The elevation is barely above tide level. The weather is the main obstacle. Snowfall runs around two hundred inches and the yearly precipitation is very heavy. The year averages above freezing.

The nearest place to stay in the file is Eight Fathom Cabin, around six and a half miles off. The file gives neither a fee nor a best season. Expect rain in any month. The temperature has never been measured for this record, so go to see it, and decide about soaking when you get there.

Terrain

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

Setting
Gentle slope
The ground tilts gently up to the west.
Highest ground nearby
164 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the west
Cross-section through the spring

A slice through the ground from west to east, about 0.6 miles end to end.

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

Monthly Climate
31°
Jan
30°
Feb
33°
Mar
39°
Apr
48°
May
54°
Jun
58°
Jul
58°
Aug
53°
Sep
44°
Oct
35°
Nov
33°
Dec
Annual Precip: 87.4 in Annual Snow: 200.4 in
Current Conditions
Fog/Mist N 0.0 mph
Tuesday 66° Low 40° Patchy Fog then Chance Light Rain 29% precip
Wednesday 63° Low 48° Light Rain 100% precip
Thursday 61° Low 44° Chance Light Rain 49% precip
Friday 59° Low 44° Heavy Rain 100% precip
Saturday 60° Low 41° Rain 100% precip
Nearby Camping
Nearby Camping
Eight Fathom Cabin 6.6 mi away

Overview Eight Fathom Cabin was constructed in 2009. It is located 15 miles from Hoonah, Alaska in the protected waters of Port Frederick. It is generally available year-round and makes an excellent base for experiencing this corner of Alaska, offering recreational options and abundant wildlife. The cabin is remote. It is accessible only by boat or float plane. From Hoonah, the boat ride is 45 minutes. By float plane, the flight is 30 minutes from Juneau and less than 10 minutes from Hoon...

Reservable Yes
Reserve on Recreation.gov →
Temperature
No data recorded
Avg Air Temp 43°F
Access
Open
Road Access Short Walk
Nearest Road F R 8580 Road
Distance to Road 403 ft
Bath Type Hot spring
Land
Ownership FED
Agency USFS
Designation NF
Unit Tongass National Forest
Manager USFS
Protection 3 - Protected, subject to extractive use
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Neka Hot Spring located?
Neka Hot Spring is located in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska at 69 feet elevation, near Sitka. Coordinates: 58.0883°N, 135.8479°W.
How do I get to Neka Hot Spring?
Neka Hot Spring has Short Walk road access, with the nearest road being F R 8580 Road (403 ft from the road).
Is Neka Hot Spring free to visit?
Neka Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by USFS.
Can I camp near Neka Hot Spring?
Yes, Eight Fathom Cabin is located nearby (6.6 miles away).
Sources: OpenStreetMap