Shelokum Hot Springs (Bailey Bay)
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Remote, undeveloped Forest Service hot spring on the Cleveland Peninsula in Tongass NF, reachable only by boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay (~48 water miles from Ketchikan) then a 2.3-mile trail that fords Maude Creek; a free first-come CCC three-sided shelter sits by the lake near natural soaking pools.
Field notes — checked February 2025
- Hazard: Maude Creek ford impassable at high water
- Hazard: Near-scalding source water (~198F reported)
- Hazard: Brown/black bears
- Hazard: Remote marine access — weather-dependent boat/floatplane travel
- Hazard: No potable water, no cell service
- NO road access — boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay is the only way in; USFS lists 48 miles from Ketchikan / 37 from Knudson Cove (alaska.org says ~90 miles north of Ketchikan — distance figures conflict between sources)
- Trail fords Maude Creek before the lake — USFS warns it is IMPASSABLE during high water
- Source water reported near-scalding (~198F per visitor sources) — pools are cooled by mixing with cold water; test before entering
- Springs are 'completely undisturbed' per USFS with sensitive algae/heat-tolerant plant life — no soap/shampoo, minimize disturbance
- 3-sided shelter is free, first-come first-served, no potable water on site
- Trail is muddy rainforest tread ~2.3 mi one-way with steady climb — waterproof boots essential
- Brown and black bears present; standard Tongass bear precautions
- Also known locally as Bailey Bay Hot Springs; ~5 miles from Bell Island Hot Springs
Current status
Remote, undeveloped Forest Service hot spring on the Cleveland Peninsula in Tongass NF, reachable only by boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay (~48 water miles from Ketchikan) then a 2.3-mile trail that fords Maude Creek; a free first-come CCC three-sided shelter sits by the lake near natural soaking pools.
Checked February 2025 · verified against an official source · 6 sources ↓
About this spring
Completely undeveloped thermal springs at the inlet of Lake Shelokum on the Cleveland Peninsula, reached by the 2.3-mi Shelokum Lake Trail from Bailey Bay — CCC-built shelter nearby; a wild, rarely visited Tongass soak. Undeveloped — temps unknown, test water; Maude Creek ford impassable at high water.
Shelokum Hot Springs — called Bailey Bay Hot Springs by the Forest Service — is a completely undeveloped thermal spring group near the west inlet of Lake Shelokum on the Cleveland Peninsula in Tongass National Forest. The springs flow undisturbed near the inlet of Spring Creek, supporting a population of unusual algae and plant life, beside a three-sided shelter built by the Civilian Conservation Corps at the top of the 2.3-mile Shelokum Lake Trail. Alaska.org reports the water emerging near 198°F, so the site is better treated as a geothermal feature to observe than a ready-made soak.
Access is by boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay, about 48 miles north of Ketchikan and opposite the western tip of Bell Island — five miles from Bell Island Hot Springs. From the bay, the trail climbs steadily along the lakeshore; hikers must ford Maude Creek, which is impassable at high water.
Directions & trailhead access
Access is restricted; do not use historical directions to plan a visit.
Alaska geothermal context
Alaska's geothermal sites sit along the volcanically active Aleutian arc and scattered Interior fault zones. Most are reachable only by floatplane, boat, or long backcountry routes, and the realistic soaking season is short — roughly June through September. Treat every remote spring as a wilderness trip, not a roadside stop.
What a primitive site means here
Primitive springs have no facilities: no changing rooms, no trash service, often no maintained road to the pool. Expect natural rock or gravel bottoms, water temperature that varies by spot and season, and other visitors who may treat the site informally. Pack out everything you bring, test the water before entering, and leave the pool cleaner than you found it.
Fact sheet
| Source temp (historical) | Not reported |
|---|---|
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported free — verify locally |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | USFS Tongass NF — Shelokum Lake Trailhead |
Shelokum Hot Springs (Bailey Bay) FAQ
Is Shelokum Hot Springs (Bailey Bay) open right now?
Remote, undeveloped Forest Service hot spring on the Cleveland Peninsula in Tongass NF, reachable only by boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay (~48 water miles from Ketchikan) then a 2.3-mile trail that fords Maude Creek; a free first-come CCC three-sided shelter sits by the lake near natural soaking pools. (Status verified against an official source, last checked February 2025.)
Can I soak at Shelokum Hot Springs (Bailey Bay)?
Remote, undeveloped Forest Service hot spring on the Cleveland Peninsula in Tongass NF, reachable only by boat or floatplane to Bailey Bay (~48 water miles from Ketchikan) then a 2.3-mile trail that fords Maude Creek; a free first-come CCC three-sided shelter sits by the lake near natural soaking pools.
Where can I check access to Shelokum Hot Springs (Bailey Bay)?
Check USFS Tongass NF — Shelokum Lake Trailhead: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r10/tongass/recreation/shelokum-lake-trailhead
Sources & references
- USFS Tongass NF — Shelokum Lake Trailhead — official · 2025
- USFS Tongass NF — Lake Shelokum Shelter (last updated 2025-02-19) — official · 2025-02
- Alaska.org — Shelokum Hot Springs detail — community · 2025
- SV Inscrutable — Bailey Bay & Shelokum Hot Springs sailing trip report — community · 2024
- HotSpringsGuides.com — Shelokum Hot Springs (access logistics, source temp) — community · 2025
- hotsprings.co — Shelokum Hot Springs (198F source, season) — community · 2026
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction