# Bailey Hot Spring, Alaska

Bailey Hot Spring in Alaska. 198°F (92°C). Backcountry · Public Land. Ketchikan Gateway Borough County.

- Page: https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/bailey-hot-spring
- Source: Soaking Springs, researched and maintained by Armen Suny
- Updated: 2026-09-14

## Can you soak at Bailey Hot Spring?

Not at the source. The water leaves the ground at 198°F, hot enough to burn skin. It sits deep in the backcountry. It's on US Forest Service land.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | 198°F (92°C) (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| pH | 8.2 (Slightly Alkaline) |
| Total dissolved solids | 413 mg/L |
| Elevation | 450 ft |
| Access | Backcountry · Public Land, 8.2 mi from the nearest road |
| Land | Tongass National Forest, US Forest Service |
| County | Ketchikan Gateway Borough County |
| Nearest town | Ketchikan |
| Coordinates | 55.98300, -131.66100 |
| Best months to soak | January, December, February (largest gap between water and average air temperature) |
| Nearest campground | REFLECTION LAKE CABIN, 4.1 mi |

## Soaking safety

**Very Hot Source, Use Extreme Caution.** At 198°F, the source water at Bailey Hot Spring is hot enough to cause burns. Some hot springs this hot have cooler side pools or downstream areas suitable for soaking. Always test the water temperature before entering.

## About Bailey Hot Spring

Bailey Hot Spring comes out of the ground close to boiling, well past anything a person could sit in without cooling it first. It lies in the Tongass National Forest in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, a little over forty miles from Ketchikan, and the Forest Service lists it as open to the public. Low, wet country, a long way from any road.

Reaching it means backcountry travel. The nearest road is a bit more than eight miles off and goes unnamed on the record. Snow here is measured in hundreds of inches a year and the rain adds up to something similar, so count on saturated ground in any month. Reflection Lake cabin, some four miles distant, is the nearest overnight spot on file.

The record scores December through February best for a visit. Water this hot will scald. Do not get in without a way to cool it down. The chemistry on file dates from a 1976 survey, so treat the temperature as a historical reading until you see the steam yourself.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1976-07-07 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| pH | 8.2 |
| Total dissolved solids | 413 mg/L |
| Calcium | 2.1 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 2.2 mg/L |
| Sodium | 89 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 43 mg/L |
| Chloride | 53 mg/L |

## Nearby

- Nearest city page: [Hot springs near Ketchikan](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/near/alaska/ketchikan), 0 mi away
- State page: [Hot springs in Alaska](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska)
- [Bell Island Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/bell-island-hot-springs): 165°F source, pH 8.4, TDS 674 mg/L, Hike, near Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough County
- [Bradfield Canal Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/bradfield-canal-hot-springs): 135°F source, Backcountry, near Ketchikan, Ketchikan Gateway Borough County
- [South Stikine Spring, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/south-stikine-spring): Backcountry, near Wrangell, City and Borough of Wrangell County
- [Barnes Lake Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/barnes-lake-hot-springs): 79°F source, Backcountry, near Wrangell, City and Borough of Wrangell County
- [Chief Shakes Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/chief-shakes-hot-springs): 122°F source, pH 7.1, TDS 409 mg/L, Backcountry, near Wrangell, City and Borough of Wrangell County
- [Twin Lakes Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/twin-lakes-hot-springs): Backcountry, near Wrangell, City and Borough of Wrangell County

## Questions

**What is the water temperature at Bailey Hot Spring?**
Bailey Hot Spring has a water temperature of 198°F (92°C). This is considered a hot spring, well above body temperature.

**Where is Bailey Hot Spring located?**
Bailey Hot Spring is located in Ketchikan Gateway Borough, Alaska at 450 feet elevation, near Ketchikan. Coordinates: 55.9830°N, 131.6610°W.

**How do I get to Bailey Hot Spring?**
Bailey Hot Spring has Backcountry road access (8.2 mi from the road).

**Is Bailey Hot Spring free to visit?**
Bailey Hot Spring has Open access. It is managed by US Forest Service.

**Can I camp near Bailey Hot Spring?**
Yes, Reflection Lake Cabin is located nearby (4.1 miles away).

**What minerals are in the water at Bailey Hot Spring?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of pH, Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride. The pH is 8.2 (slightly alkaline). Total dissolved solids measure 413 mg/L.

**Is it safe to soak at Bailey Hot Spring?**
No, not at the source. The water at Bailey Hot Spring reaches 198°F, which can cause severe burns within seconds. Look for cooled side pools or downstream stretches, and test with a hand before anything else.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals