# Pilgrim Springs, Alaska

Pilgrim Springs in Alaska. Short Walk. Nome Census Area County.

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

## Can you soak at Pilgrim Springs?

No water temperature is on record for Pilgrim Springs. It's a short walk from the road. We haven't confirmed whether it has a pool or charges a fee.

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Source water temperature | Unknown (USGS record; developed pools are often cooled) |
| Total dissolved solids | 5,960 mg/L |
| Elevation | 25 ft |
| Access | Short Walk, 0.1 mi from the nearest road |
| County | Nome Census Area County |
| Nearest town | Nome |
| Coordinates | 65.09300, -164.92200 |
| Nearest campground | Salmon Lake Campground, 12.2 mi |

## About Pilgrim Springs

Pilgrim Springs, also called Pilgrim Hot Springs and Unaatuq among other names, is a ghost town site on the Seward Peninsula about 42 miles from Nome. Wikipedia places it on the Kruzgamepa River on the traditional lands of the Kauweramiut. The water is heavily mineralized according to a sample from 1915. No temperature is known. Neither is a landowner or access status.

The spring is a tenth of a mile from a road, near sea level, in the Nome Census Area. Winters are snowy here and the year averages in the upper twenties. Wikipedia says the site is about eight miles south of milepost 65 on the Kougarok Road.

Wikipedia describes Pilgrim Hot Springs as a ghost town on the southeast bank of the Kruzgamepa River, in the interior of the Seward Peninsula. Names on record for the place: Pilgrim Hot Springs, Kruzgamepa, Kruzgamepa Springs, Unaatuq. It lies on the traditional lands of the Kauweramiut, the People of Kauwerak, also known as the people of the Village of Mary's Igloo. A USGS sample dates to September 1915.

There is no best season on file. The only water analysis is over a century old and showed very high dissolved solids with iron. Nobody has recorded if the public may enter the ground, so find out before you go. Salmon Lake Campground is the camping option on file. Temperature unknown.

## Water chemistry

Lab sample from 1915-09-02 (Water Quality Portal).

| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Total dissolved solids | 5,960 mg/L |
| Calcium | 545 mg/L |
| Magnesium | 7.4 mg/L |
| Sodium | 1,590 mg/L |
| Sulfate | 25 mg/L |
| Chloride | 3,450 mg/L |
| Iron | 700 µg/L |

## Nearby

- State page: [Hot springs in Alaska](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska)
- [Serpentine Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/serpentine-hot-springs): pH 7.8, Backcountry, near Nome, Nome Census Area County
- [Hot Springs Near Lava Creek, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/hot-springs-near-lava-creek): 127°F source, Backcountry, near Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough County
- [Hot Spring Near Kwiniuk River, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/hot-spring-near-kwiniuk-river): 106°F source, Backcountry, near Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough County
- [Clear Creek Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/clear-creek-hot-springs): 149°F source, Backcountry, near Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough County
- [Granite Mountain Hot Springs, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/granite-mountain-hot-springs): 120°F source, Hike, near Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough County
- [Hot Springs On Hawk River, AK](https://www.soakingsprings.com/hot-springs/alaska/hot-springs-on-hawk-river): Backcountry, near Kotzebue, Northwest Arctic Borough County

## Questions

**Where is Pilgrim Springs located?**
Pilgrim Springs is located in Nome Census Area, Alaska at 25 feet elevation, near Nome. Coordinates: 65.0930°N, 164.9220°W.

**How do I get to Pilgrim Springs?**
Pilgrim Springs has Short Walk road access (0.1 mi from the road).

**Can I camp near Pilgrim Springs?**
Yes, Salmon Lake Campground is located nearby (12.2 miles away). No fee.

**What minerals are in the water at Pilgrim Springs?**
Water chemistry analysis shows the presence of Total Dissolved Solids, Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Sulfate, Chloride, Iron. Total dissolved solids measure 5,960 mg/L.

## Sources

- USGS thermal springs records, Water Quality Portal lab analyses, OpenStreetMap, Wikipedia/Wikidata, NOAA climate normals
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilgrim_Hot_Springs