Located on Chichagof Island, Tenakee Springs is a small town with Tlingit roots that is well known for its hot mineral springs. Served by the Alaska Marine Highway System, the community is home to about 80 people, but expands in the summer with seasonal residents.
Hot springs lovers have been coming to town since before 1895, when a public bathhouse was built around the source of a 107-degree mineral spring. Although the original bathhouse has since been replaced, bathing times still are posted for men and women separately. Several other historic buildings remain in town, lining the shore and the town’s one unpaved road, used for pedestrians, bikes and ATVs only. They include the still-operating Snyder’s Mercantile, founded in 1899, the Shamrock Building, and the newly restored Saint Francis Chapel.
Leisure activities focus on the water. Fishing, kayaking, whale watching and sailing are all popular. Kayaking rentals are available in town. Beyond town, there are multiple hiking trails that connect with abandoned logging roads, essentially allowing visitors to hike from one end of the island to the other.
There is one lodge in town, the Tenakee Hot Springs Lodge, which can arrange meals and activities for guests. Tenakee Springs is surrounded by US Forest Service property which does allow camping, however there are no public campgrounds.