The area surrounding the hot spring is rich in mining history and retains a certain degree of mystery and folklore.

[7] A limited number of miners stayed in the area near Circle Hot Spring after the turn of the century, and gold mining continues to be an attraction to this day.

[6] Hoping to attract Fairbanks residents, in addition to local miners, the resort owner Frank Leach built a 1600 foot landing strip.

Although the Arctic Circle Hot Springs resort is now closed for business, the area still sees a handful of visitors throughout the year seeking a dip in the abandoned hot springs, on a quest to spot the northern lights, or in search of undiscovered pockets of gold.

Ray Bonnell, a Fairbanks Daily Newsminer writer noted in a 2013 article that: "In its heyday Circle Hot Springs attracted visitors from all over Alaska and beyond, and was well-known for its aurora viewing.

Some employees are reported to have seen or felt the specter of Emma Leach [wife of Franklin Leach] roaming the halls or haunting the kitchen"[6] Ron Wendt, another author and paranormal enthusiast, has written about the spooky nature of the hot springs in his book Haunted Alaska.

In one section he relates his personal experiences as a child at the hot springs: "I can attest to the creakiness and the air of mystery in these ancient abodes.