Rabbitkettle Hot Springs

## Overview Rabbitkettle Hot Springs is a remarkable geothermal feature located deep within Nahanni National Park Reserve in the Northwest Territories of Canada, at approximately 61.93°N, 127.21°W. The springs are renowned for producing one of the largest known tufa mounds in Canada — a massive terraced dome of calcium carbonate deposited over thousands of years by the mineral-rich hot water as it emerges from the earth and cools. The main tufa mound rises roughly 27 metres (about 90 feet) high and spans approximately 75 metres across, making it a striking and rare geological formation. The name "Rabbitkettle" is believed to derive from the Dene (Indigenous) name for the area, referencing the kettle-like depressions found in the tufa terraces where warm water collects in shallow, rimmed pools. The springs hold deep cultural significance for the Dehcho First Nations, who have long known and respected this place. The hot springs themselves discharge water that has been reported to reach temperatures of around 20°C (68°F) at the surface — warm rather than scalding — with the water carrying dissolved calcium carbonate that precipitates out to slowly build the iconic terraces. Nahanni National Park Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, protects the springs and the surrounding wilderness of the Mackenzie Mountains. Rabbitkettle Hot Springs is one of the park's most treasured natural attractions, alongside Virginia Falls and the dramatic canyons of the South Nahanni River. Due to its ecological sensitivity, access to the tufa mound is carefully managed by Parks Canada, and visitors are typically required to be accompanied by a park interpreter to prevent damage to the fragile formations. ## Directions Rabbitkettle Hot Springs is located in a remote, fly-in wilderness area with no road access. Here is how to reach it: 1. **Fly to the Rabbitkettle Lake area.** Most visitors arrange a floatplane charter from Fort Simpson, NT, or from Yellowknife, NT, to Rabbitkettle Lake, which serves as a common staging point for trips into the northern section of Nahanni National Park Reserve. 2. **Register with Parks Canada.** All visitors entering Nahanni National Park Reserve must register and obtain the required permits. Contact the Nahanni National Park Reserve office in Fort Simpson well in advance to arrange your visit and confirm current access requirements. 3. **Guided access to the mound.** From the Rabbitkettle Lake campground area, a Parks Canada interpreter leads guided hikes (approximately 3–4 km round trip) to the hot springs and tufa mound. Independent, unguided visits to the mound are generally not permitted in order to protect the fragile tufa terraces. 4. **GPS coordinates:** 61.9325, -127.2071. These can be used for flight planning and navigation but are not a substitute for proper trip planning with Parks Canada and a licensed charter operator. ## What to Expect Visitors to Rabbitkettle Hot Springs will find themselves in one of the most pristine and remote wilderness settings in North America. The tufa mound is the centerpiece — a layered, terraced dome with shallow warm pools rimmed by delicate mineral deposits. The water in the pools is warm but not hot enough for soaking in the traditional hot-spring sense; the experience here is more about witnessing an extraordinary geological process in action. The surrounding landscape features boreal forest, alpine meadows, and sweeping views of the Mackenzie Mountains. Wildlife sightings are common in the area, including caribou, grizzly bears, Dall's sheep, and a variety of bird species. The Rabbitkettle Lake campground provides basic backcountry camping facilities. Because of the remote fly-in access, visitors should be fully prepared for backcountry travel. Weather in the Mackenzie Mountains can change rapidly, and the area is only practically accessible during the summer months (roughly late June through early September). All food and supplies must be brought in, and Leave No Trace principles are strictly enforced. The water from the springs has historically been observed and appreciated for its mineral content, but it is not typically used as a drinking water source by visitors. The tufa formations are extremely fragile — stepping on them can cause irreparable damage — so visitors should follow all guidance from Parks Canada interpreters during their visit.