You Won't Believe This Town Is In Alaska
When many Americans picture Alaska, they imagine frigid temperatures, giant glaciers, and frozen tundra. But ask an Alaskan, and you will hear a very different story: one that includes places like Tenakee Springs. Surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, the largest temperate rainforest on Earth, this town is covered in lush greenery. And thanks to its natural hot springs, channeled into a public bathhouse, staying warm in the winter is not a problem for residents. Once you learn about Tenakee Springs, your image of Alaska will never be the same.
About Tenakee Springs
Home to just over 100 residents, Tenakee Springs is certainly small. The town is located on the eastern shores of Chicagof Island, along the Tenakee Inlet, and is about 45 miles southwest of Alaska’s capital, Juneau. There are no cars, meaning you will have to find another way to get to town! The Alaska Marine Highway System offers periodic ferry service from Juneau to Tenakee, while visitors can also choose to take a seaplane with Alaska Seaplanes Service, which operates daily and charter flights to the island, weather permitting. The nutrient-rich waters of the Tenakee Inlet attract more than 750,000 salmon each year. These salmon, in turn, draw whales, eagles, and brown bears to the area, offering visitors a strong chance to spot plenty of native wildlife. One of the town’s most prominent stores, meanwhile, is Tenakee Springs Market, which you will spot coming right off the dock. Established in 1899 under the name of Snyder's Mercantile, this store is often considered one of the best in Southeast Alaska, offering an impressive variety of artisan cheeses, meats, produce, wine, and more.
Hot Springs
Tenakee’s hot springs have been popular since the late 19th century, when the town built a public bathhouse over a 107℉ hot spring. In 1939, a new tub room was constructed, featuring a skylight cupola that is mounted to the ceiling. A group of residents in town also formed a volunteer committee in the 1930s to better maintain the facility. Today, travelers and residents alike often visit the bathhouse, appreciating an afternoon in the warm waters.
The bathhouse also serves as an important social and cultural gathering spot for residents, particularly in the winter months when there are few other social activities to partake in. Mineral water flows from the springs at a rate of about seven gallons per minute, reaching a temperature of roughly 106℉. It feeds into a large stone-and-cement tub located in the bathhouse, which measures approximately six by nine feet and is five feet deep. Upon arrival at the bathhouse, you will find a changing room equipped with benches and hooks for storing your towels and clothes. Make sure to keep in mind that there are separate bathing hours for men and women, depending on the time of day.
Tongass National Forest
Tenakee Springs is surrounded by the Tongass National Forest, which is the largest national forest in the country and the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Stretching across Alaska’s Inside Passage Region, the forest is composed of 19 wilderness areas. Just a few of the natural features you will find in Tongass include dense forests, tidewater glaciers, alpine meadows, and peat bogs known as muskegs. The rainforest’s canopy has a diverse mix of trees, including Sitka spruce, hemlock, alder, and red and yellow cedar, while the forest floor is covered in lush mosses and ferns. There is an endless list of recreational activities to enjoy here, including hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, public use cabins, glacier viewing, and wildlife viewing.
During the salmon spawning season, the forest becomes a popular place for bear viewing, with places like Admiralty Island providing habitat to over 1,500 bears. Whale watching tours are common as well, particularly during the humpback whale migratory season. Other wildlife you may spot during your visit to the forest include Sitka blacktail deer, wolves, mountain goats, moose, Dall’s and harbor porpoises, sea otters, harbor seals, orcas, and minke whales. Additionally, this area hosts the world’s largest population of bald eagles.
As the largest state in the US, Alaska has far more to offer than the usual stereotypes suggest. The town of Tenakee Springs is a clear example of this variety, with its lush temperate rainforest and natural hot springs. As an extra surprise, the town does not use cars for transportation, depending purely on ferries and seaplanes. As a result, this town challenges expectations, highlighting how diverse Alaska’s communities and landscapes can truly be.
