Overview
Circle is an old gold rush settlement on the Yukon River in a remote section of Interior Alaska with a population of 73.
1 sights
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Circle
Circle Hot Springs
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Aug. Summer highs reach about 72°F; winter lows dip to about -23°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and Jul.
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- FYU Fort Yukon Airport, Fort Yukon — 61 mi away. Directions
- FAI Fairbanks International Airport, Fairbanks — 130 mi away. Directions
Circle is at the end of a 160 mile gravel road from Fairbanks.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The gold rush is over, and the population today is small (73 people) and mostly indigenous. It is located 50 miles south of the Arctic Circle, but was named "Circle" because miners thought it was at the Arctic Circle.
Circle was apparently a popular tourist spot in years past, as it used to be the spot furthest north it was possible to drive to via the Alaska Highway. Alas, with the completion of the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay, this is no longer true, and Circle is very much off the typical tourist map.
Climate
Get in
By plane
By car
Circle is at the end of a 160 mile gravel road from Fairbanks.
By boat
As Circle is on the banks of the Yukon River, it is also accessed by river. For canoes it either a stop for people canoeing the length of the Yukon, or as a takeout point for people seeing Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve. It is also one of the few places to launch a motor boat from a car along the length of the Yukon. During the winter it is on the route of the Yukon Quest dog sled race.
Get around
Although a long way from anywhere, all of the attractions in town are within a short walk of each other.
Do
See Circle Hot Springs
Buy
The only commercial establishments are a small grocery store/gas station and the Washeria across the road. The Washeria has coin operated showers and token operated washer dryer. You will need to get tokens from either the store or locals. There is a telephone booth outside the store.
Sleep
The only accommodation in town is a spot by the boat ramp where you may pitch a tent or park an RV. The locals are very friendly. The River View Motel mentioned in some guides has been abandoned.
Nearby
My experience
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