Hole-in-the-Wall Hot Springs

## Overview Hole-in-the-Wall Hot Springs is a remote and rugged natural hot spring located in Canada's Northwest Territories, nestled deep within the wilderness at approximately 61.78°N, 127.29°W. Situated along the Nahanni Range in the Mackenzie Mountains region, this geothermal feature is one of several hot springs found in the greater Nahanni watershed — an area renowned for its dramatic geology, pristine rivers, and UNESCO World Heritage status through Nahanni National Park Reserve. The hot springs in this region owe their existence to deep geological faulting in the Mackenzie Mountains, where groundwater circulates far below the surface, is heated by the Earth's geothermal gradient, and rises back to the surface along fractures in the bedrock. The Nahanni area is home to some of the most significant geothermal features in northern Canada, and Hole-in-the-Wall Hot Springs is among the more secluded examples — prized by adventurous visitors for its wild, untouched setting. Historically, the hot springs of the Nahanni region have held significance for the Dehcho First Nations and other Indigenous peoples of the area, who have long known and used these thermal waters. The broader Nahanni area is steeped in legend and lore, from tales of lost gold mines to stories of the "Headless Valley" — all of which contribute to the mystique surrounding this remote corner of the Northwest Territories. ## Directions 1. Hole-in-the-Wall Hot Springs is located in an extremely remote area of the Northwest Territories, west of the Mackenzie River and within the Mackenzie Mountains. 2. There is no road access to this hot spring. Reaching it typically requires a combination of bush plane or helicopter charter, or an extended backcountry river trip (commonly along the South Nahanni River or its tributaries). 3. The GPS coordinates for the spring are **61.780429, -127.286224**. Visitors should load these coordinates into a reliable GPS device before departing, as there is no cell service in the area. 4. Most visitors access the Nahanni region by chartering a floatplane from communities such as Fort Simpson, NT, or Whitehorse, YT. Local outfitters and charter services familiar with the area can provide guidance on the best approach. 5. Due to the extreme remoteness, all trips should be carefully planned with appropriate backcountry experience, emergency supplies, and communication devices (satellite phone or personal locator beacon). ## What to Expect Hole-in-the-Wall Hot Springs is a true wilderness hot spring experience. Visitors should expect a completely undeveloped site with no facilities, signage, or maintained trails. The surrounding landscape is characterized by rugged mountain terrain, boreal forest, and pristine waterways. The thermal waters emerge from the rock in a remote mountain setting. As with many geothermal springs in the Nahanni region, the water temperature can vary, and natural soaking pools may form where hot water mixes with cooler stream or river water. The mineral content of the water has not been widely documented in publicly available sources, but hot springs in this geological zone are commonly associated with sulfur and calcium-rich waters. Wildlife is abundant in the area — visitors may encounter caribou, moose, grizzly bears, wolves, and a wide variety of bird species. Bear awareness and proper food storage are essential. The best time to visit is during the brief northern summer (June through August), when daylight is nearly continuous and temperatures are most favorable for backcountry travel. Winter access is extremely challenging and not recommended for most visitors. This is a destination for experienced wilderness travelers and adventurers. The reward for the effort is a truly pristine, rarely visited hot spring in one of the most spectacular and untouched landscapes in North America.