Roch-qui-trempe-à-l’eau Warm Springs

## Overview Roch-qui-trempe-à-l'eau Warm Springs is a remote geothermal spring located in Canada's Northwest Territories, situated at approximately 63.28°N, 123.56°W. The evocative French name — which translates roughly to "Rock that soaks in the water" — hints at the area's deep ties to early French-Canadian exploration and the fur trade era in the Mackenzie River region. This warm spring emerges in a vast, sparsely populated subarctic landscape, making it one of the more isolated and rarely visited thermal features in northern Canada. The Northwest Territories is home to a number of geothermal springs, many of which are associated with deep geological faults that allow heated groundwater to rise to the surface. These springs have long been known to Indigenous peoples of the Dehcho and Sahtu regions, who have used warm water sources in the area for generations. The presence of warm springs at this latitude is a testament to the geologically active subsurface of the Mackenzie Mountains and surrounding lowlands. As a free, naturally occurring hot spring, Roch-qui-trempe-à-l'eau offers an extraordinary wilderness experience for adventurous visitors willing to make the journey into one of the most remote corners of North America. ## Directions 1. The spring is located in the Northwest Territories of Canada, at GPS coordinates **63.283062, -123.563232**. 2. There is no known road access to this site. Reaching the spring likely requires bush plane, helicopter, or extended overland travel during appropriate seasons. 3. The nearest communities in the region include Fort Good Hope and Norman Wells along the Mackenzie River, both of which serve as staging points for backcountry travel in the area. 4. Visitors should consult local outfitters, charter flight services, or the Government of the Northwest Territories for current access information and any required permits. 5. A reliable GPS device and detailed topographic maps are essential for navigation in this area. ## What to Expect Given its extreme remoteness, very little visitor-reported information is available for Roch-qui-trempe-à-l'eau Warm Springs. Visitors venturing to this location should be prepared for a true wilderness experience with no developed infrastructure, signage, or facilities of any kind. The surrounding landscape is characteristic of the northern boreal and subarctic zones — expect a mix of spruce forest, muskeg, and open tundra depending on the season. Wildlife in the region includes caribou, moose, black bears, grizzly bears, and wolves, so appropriate wildlife precautions are essential. Winter temperatures in this part of the Northwest Territories can plunge well below -40°C, while summers are brief but can be surprisingly warm, with long daylight hours. The best window for visiting is typically June through August, though conditions can change rapidly. The water temperature and mineral content of this spring have not been widely documented in publicly available sources. As with all wild springs, the water has not been tested or certified for drinking — visitors should treat it accordingly. This is a destination for experienced backcountry travelers who are fully self-sufficient and comfortable operating in remote northern wilderness. The reward is access to a geothermal feature that very few people have ever visited — a truly off-the-grid natural wonder.