Circle Hot Springs, Alaska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Circle Hot Springs, Alaska
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Circle Hot Springs in 1941
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 Circle Hot Springs, Alaska
Location in Alaska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alaska |
| Census Area | Yukon-Koyukuk |
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-9 (Alaska (AKST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-8 (AKDT) |
| ZIP code |
99730
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| Area code(s) | 907 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1416507 |
Circle Hot Springs is a special place in Alaska. It is known for its natural warm springs. This area is found in the Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area. Once, there was a resort here called Arctic Circle Hot Springs. It is now closed.
You can reach Circle Hot Springs by car using the Steese Highway. You can also fly there using the small Circle Hot Springs Airport. This area has a rich history of gold mining. It also has many interesting old stories and mysteries.
Contents
Where is Circle Hot Springs?
Circle Hot Springs is located in Alaska. Its exact spot is 65°29' North and 144°38' West. The closest town is Central, Alaska. It is about 8 miles east of the hot springs. The city of Fairbanks, Alaska is further away. It is about 131 miles southwest on the Steese Highway.
What is the Climate Like?
Circle Hot Springs has a very cold climate. It is called a continental subarctic climate. This means winters are long and very cold. Summers are short and cool.
| Climate data for Circle Hot Springs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 49 (9) |
51 (11) |
51 (11) |
68 (20) |
90 (32) |
94 (34) |
94 (34) |
88 (31) |
78 (26) |
71 (22) |
51 (11) |
45 (7) |
94 (34) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | −10.4 (−23.6) |
−2.9 (−19.4) |
12.2 (−11.0) |
36.9 (2.7) |
57.1 (13.9) |
70.1 (21.2) |
71.1 (21.7) |
65.2 (18.4) |
50.8 (10.4) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
4.9 (−15.1) |
−4.4 (−20.2) |
31.4 (−0.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −25.4 (−31.9) |
−20.4 (−29.1) |
−12 (−24) |
11.7 (−11.3) |
31.1 (−0.5) |
43.8 (6.6) |
47.6 (8.7) |
42.5 (5.8) |
30.2 (−1.0) |
12.4 (−10.9) |
−9.2 (−22.9) |
−19.7 (−28.7) |
11.1 (−11.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −60 (−51) |
−57 (−49) |
−44 (−42) |
−26 (−32) |
−8 (−22) |
27 (−3) |
25 (−4) |
20 (−7) |
−5 (−21) |
−28 (−33) |
−51 (−46) |
−60 (−51) |
−60 (−51) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.52 (13) |
0.31 (7.9) |
0.26 (6.6) |
0.44 (11) |
0.7 (18) |
1.92 (49) |
2.17 (55) |
1.79 (45) |
1.19 (30) |
0.92 (23) |
0.45 (11) |
0.48 (12) |
11.15 (283) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.7 (20) |
5.8 (15) |
5 (13) |
5.2 (13) |
0.6 (1.5) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
2.2 (5.6) |
12.9 (33) |
8.6 (22) |
7.8 (20) |
55.7 (141) |
| Average precipitation days | 7 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 111 |
| Climate data for Circle Hot Springs, Alaska, 1991–2020 normals: 860ft (262m) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | −8.6 (−22.6) |
0.5 (−17.5) |
14.7 (−9.6) |
39.5 (4.2) |
58.9 (14.9) |
71.1 (21.7) |
72.4 (22.4) |
64.8 (18.2) |
52.2 (11.2) |
27.4 (−2.6) |
3.9 (−15.6) |
−4.5 (−20.3) |
32.7 (0.4) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | −15.6 (−26.4) |
−9.2 (−22.9) |
0.9 (−17.3) |
25.3 (−3.7) |
44.9 (7.2) |
56.4 (13.6) |
58.9 (14.9) |
51.8 (11.0) |
40.0 (4.4) |
18.8 (−7.3) |
−4.1 (−20.1) |
−12.1 (−24.5) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | −22.6 (−30.3) |
−18.9 (−28.3) |
−13.0 (−25.0) |
11.0 (−11.7) |
30.9 (−0.6) |
41.6 (5.3) |
45.4 (7.4) |
38.9 (3.8) |
27.9 (−2.3) |
10.2 (−12.1) |
−12.2 (−24.6) |
−19.8 (−28.8) |
10.0 (−12.3) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.44 (11) |
0.32 (8.1) |
0.17 (4.3) |
0.25 (6.4) |
0.71 (18) |
2.64 (67) |
2.61 (66) |
1.80 (46) |
1.35 (34) |
0.84 (21) |
0.44 (11) |
0.48 (12) |
12.05 (304.8) |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
History of the Hot Springs
The hot spring was first written about in 1893 by William Greats. But, the native Athabascan people had used it long before that. In 1905, Franklin Leach claimed land around the springs. He then started building a resort there.
Gold Rush Days
Circle City, now just called Circle, was a mining town. It was set up in 1893. People thought it was on the Arctic Circle, but it was actually 40 miles south. Gold in the Circle area brought many prospectors. They came seeking their fortunes. Some even used Circle Hot Springs to escape the harsh Alaska winters.
Interest in mining here dropped after gold was found in the Klondike in 1897. Then more gold was found in Nome in 1899. Still, some miners stayed near Circle Hot Springs. Gold mining continues in the area even today.
Resort and Air Travel
The "Circle Springs" post office opened in 1924. To attract visitors from Fairbanks, Frank Leach built an airstrip. It was 1600 feet long. Noel Wien made the first landing there in 1924. Building a hotel started in March 1930. This was because local roads were not very good. The resort's population was small: 17 people in 1930, 14 in 1939, and 36 in 1958.
Who Lived Here?
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1930 | 17 | — | |
| 1940 | 14 | −17.6% | |
| 1990 | 29 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Circle Hot Springs first appeared on the U.S. Census in 1930. It was listed as a small village. It was on the census again in 1940. It did not appear again until 1990. Then it was called Circle Hot Springs Station. After 2000, it became part of Central.
Things to See and Do
The Arctic Circle Hot Springs resort is now closed. But people still visit the area. They come to swim in the abandoned hot springs. Many hope to see the amazing northern lights. Some even search for new gold. The old resort is also a popular spot for ghost hunters.
Ghost Stories
Ray Bonnell, a writer, said in 2013: "In its best days, Circle Hot Springs drew visitors from everywhere. It was famous for viewing the northern lights. The hotel is even said to have its own ghost. Some workers have reported seeing or feeling Emma Leach. She was the wife of Franklin Leach. They say she roams the halls or haunts the kitchen."
Ron Wendt, another author, wrote about the spooky nature of the hot springs. In his book Haunted Alaska, he shared his childhood experiences: "I can tell you about the creaky sounds and the mysterious feeling in these old buildings. But kids often find this fun. They don't realize someone might be watching. We never met a ghost, but I learned later that not everyone can say that."
Current State of the Springs
The Alaska government has officially closed the resort. However, the hot spring pool can still be used. But, as of early 2023, there are about 4 inches of weeds growing in it. Some buildings show signs that people have stayed there without permission. The main building smells bad. Its walls and ceilings are covered in mold.
