Red Hill Spring

North Slope Borough County, Alaska · Near Prudhoe Bay
69.6270°N, 146.0270°W · 1,100 ft
31°F air · Good soaking weather 1,100 ft Restricted Backcountry US Fish and Wildlife Service
Aerial view of the ground around Red Hill Spring

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

Red Hill Spring is a thermal spring inside the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, about eighty miles from Prudhoe Bay. USGS sampling in April 2021 found slightly alkaline water with iron in it. No temperature figure exists. Access is restricted.

About 1,100 feet up on the North Slope, under eight miles off a road the record leaves unnamed. Average temperatures sit around twenty. Snowfall is heavy and precipitation otherwise light. The refuge is US Fish and Wildlife Service land.

Best months go unnamed. The refuge restricts access, so a permit or permission comes first. The temperature is unknown even though the water was tested in 2021. No campground is listed. Fee information does not exist.

History of Red Hill Spring

The US Geological Survey keeps a monitoring site at Red Hill Spring and took a water sample on April 22, 2021.

Terrain

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

Setting
Open ground
Flat, open ground all around.
Highest ground nearby
85 ft above the spring
Within a quarter mile, to the east
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
-6°
Jan
-4°
Feb
Mar
14°
Apr
34°
May
48°
Jun
53°
Jul
46°
Aug
35°
Sep
20°
Oct
Nov
-6°
Dec
Annual Precip: 17.6 in Annual Snow: 63.2 in
Current Conditions
31°F
N 0.0 mph 87% Good soaking weather
Tuesday 36° Low 20° Mostly Sunny 9% precip
Wednesday 37° Low 29° Rain And Snow Showers Likely 68% precip
Thursday 32° Low 27° Chance Snow Showers 49% precip
Friday 30° Low 24° Chance Snow Showers 47% precip
Saturday 28° Low 22° Chance Snow Showers 41% precip
Water Chemistry Sampled 2021-04-22

The water at Red Hill Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8) with 479 mg/L total dissolved solids.

pH 7.8 Slightly Alkaline
pH influences mineral absorption through skin
Higher mineral concentration for therapeutic soaking
Calcium 63 mg/L
May support bone density and joint health
Magnesium 21 mg/L
Known for muscle relaxation and stress relief
Sodium 71 mg/L
Supports circulation and skin hydration
Sulfate 89 mg/L
Traditionally used for skin conditions and inflammation
Chloride 81 mg/L
Natural antiseptic with skin health benefits
Iron 17 µg/L
Iron-rich springs may support circulation
Temperature
No data recorded
Avg Air Temp 20°F
Access
Restricted
Road Access Backcountry
Distance to Road 7.7 mi
Land
Ownership Federal
Agency US Fish and Wildlife Service
Designation National Wildlife Refuge
Unit Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
Manager US Fish and Wildlife Service
Protection 1 - Permanent protection, natural state
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Red Hill Spring located?
Red Hill Spring is located in North Slope Borough, Alaska at 1,100 feet elevation, near Prudhoe Bay. Coordinates: 69.6270°N, 146.0270°W.
How do I get to Red Hill Spring?
Red Hill Spring has Backcountry road access (7.7 mi from the road).
Is Red Hill Spring free to visit?
Red Hill Spring has Restricted access. It is managed by US Fish and Wildlife Service.
What minerals are in the water at Red Hill Spring?
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. The pH is 7.8 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 479 mg/L.
Sources: USGS NWIS