15/02/2022
Take a Helicopter to This Remote Hot Spring for the Ultimate Alaskan Experience
I never thought my idea of paradise would include below freezing temperatures and ice-encased eyebrows, but here we were. "Here" was Tolovana, one of the most remote natural hot springs in the U.S., and arguably, one of Alaska's best-kept secrets. A trio of hot tubs with not another person in sight? I could think of worse ways to spend the day.
Soaking in hot springs has long been a favorite activity among Alaskans. Combine pristine wilderness with spa-like relaxation in a chilly climate, and boom, you've got yourself an Alaskan cocktail — the epitome of an outdoor experience. Although there are almost 80 natural hot springs scattered throughout The Last Frontier, most do not have road access, requiring some serious effort to reach the rewarding dip. If it's a true Alaskan experience you're after, this ticks all the right boxes.
In true pinch-yourself fashion, I arrived at a far-flung log cabin in the 49th state's vast interior bush via helicopter. The scene was straight out of a postcard. A quick 25-minute flight over the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and approximately six moose spotted enthusiastically from above landed us on the BLM land (Bureau of Land Management) where we'd be spending the afternoon.
The trip was one of Borealis Basecamp's curated experiences, during which you can also indulge in farm-to-table meals in a giant yurt or slumber in an igloo while viewing the northern lights. All of the logistics were organized; our guide even started a cozy fire and cooked up a homemade lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup while we soaked.
With whipping winds and remarkably negative temperatures, it probably wasn't the best day to be frolicking around in a swimsuit. Frostbite was a reasonable risk, but totally worth it if it meant plunging my body into one, if not every, man-made tub in the hot spring trifecta. I was ready to channel my inner Goldilocks and test the waters of each pool, which vary slightly in temperature (usually 125 to 145 degrees Fahrenheit), from hottest at the top to gradually cooler at the bottom.