Red Hill Spring
Red Hill Spring emerges at 1,100 feet in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, one of North America's most remote wilderness areas. At just 5.5°C (42°F), this spring barely warms above freezing even in summer, making it distinctly cool for a thermal feature despite its distant location near Prudhoe Bay.
The spring flows through pristine Arctic tundra at its remote elevation, surrounded by vast expanses of uninhabited wilderness. Visitors will find minimal infrastructure and challenging terrain; the spring sits over 7.7 miles from the nearest road, accessible only to experienced backcountry travelers prepared for harsh subarctic conditions and extreme isolation.
Red Hill Spring represents a geothermal feature shaped by the Arctic's deep crustal processes, with water chemistry indicating circulation through mineral-bearing strata. The balanced mineral composition—calcium, magnesium, sulfate, and chloride in moderate concentrations—reflects interaction with subsurface geological formations characteristic of the Arctic region's complex geology.
Access is restricted due to the spring's location within a protected wildlife refuge, limiting visits to authorized researchers and indigenous subsistence users. Winter temperatures drop far below freezing, and the brief summer season offers the only practical access window. Bring all necessary equipment and supplies; no services exist within dozens of miles.
Is Red Hill Spring worth visiting?
Best for
- Backpacking adventures
Not ideal for
- Day trips with young children
The water at Red Hill Spring is slightly alkaline (pH 7.8) with 479 mg/L total dissolved solids.