Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase Tour

This is a long Alaska day with two very different rewards: a warm soak at Chena Hot Springs, followed by a patient search for the northern lights. The tour leaves Fairbanks at 3 p.m., gives you several hours at the resort, then heads back toward town while tracking the sky.

I like the small maximum group of seven, which makes photo help and sky-watching far more useful than on a large coach. I also like the practical extras: hot cocoa or instant coffee, simple snacks, aurora instruction, and five edited portraits when the photographer can get them. The main drawback is the timing. You may be out for 10 to 14 hours, often in serious cold, and the aurora cannot be promised.

Key points at a glance

• A two-part Alaska day: Pair a hot spring visit and Ice Museum stop with a full night aurora chase.
• Small group size: The tour carries no more than seven people, allowing more direct help with cameras and phones.
• Guide Lindsay’s determined chasing: She has worked hard to find clear skies, including on a final possible night after several cloudy evenings.
• Photo help is included: You can get advice for a phone or camera, plus up to five edited aurora portraits at the photographer’s discretion.
• Admission costs extra: Budget $20 per person for the hot springs, with another $20 for the Ice Museum if you choose to visit.
• A weather-dependent plan: Clouds can shut down the show, and the aurora itself is never guaranteed.

Why this tour works as a long Fairbanks day

The clever part of this outing is that the hot springs and aurora chase serve different purposes. Chena gives you a warm, structured afternoon away from town. Later, the guide can adjust the night’s viewing plan using current sky data rather than simply parking at one fixed lookout.

You leave at about 3 p.m. and return after a full night out. The total run is roughly 10 to 14 hours, so this is not a quick evening excursion. I would treat it as one of your main Fairbanks activities, not something to squeeze between dinner and an early morning flight.

The drive also gives you time for scenery stops and wildlife watching. Nothing specific is promised, so keep expectations sensible. You may get a good photo stop or spot an animal, but the firm parts of the day are the resort visit, the return drive, and the aurora search.

Chena Hot Springs gives the afternoon a warm start

At Chena Hot Springs Resort, you have about three to six hours for the property. That flexible block is useful because you are not forced into one tightly timed activity. You can spend more time at the springs, visit the Ice Museum, take the geothermal tour, eat, or simply enjoy a slower afternoon before the night drive.

The hot spring admission is not included. The listed cost is $20 per person. The Ice Museum costs another $20 if you decide to go, and the resort restaurant and deli provide food options on site.

The springs are the natural centerpiece, but you should check the age and access details that matter to your group before booking. The information provided says you should advise the operator if children under 12 are coming, and very young children may struggle with extreme cold for a full night. The operator also asks you to discuss mobility concerns in advance.

The Ice Museum adds a very different kind of stop. It gives you a chance to see an ice-built attraction rather than spending the entire resort visit in swimwear. Alcoholic drinks at the Ice Bar are extra, and you must be over 21 for the martini.

A massage is also available at the resort, but it needs to be booked well ahead of time. Do not assume you can decide at the last minute and find an opening. If a massage matters to your plans, arrange it before the day of the tour.

The geothermal side of Chena is worth planning for

The included time lets you consider the resort’s geothermal tour, which explains the hot springs in a more active way than simply soaking in them. The exact schedule is not given, so ask about timing when you book or at the start of the day.

This matters because the resort block can otherwise feel long if you are not interested in spending several hours in the water. A good plan is to combine two or three activities: perhaps the springs, the Ice Museum, and a meal. You will then have a comfortable break before the colder part of the outing begins.

Bring or wear layers you can manage easily. The day moves from an indoor or warm resort setting to outdoor night viewing. The operator provides simple snacks and ingredients for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea, but that is not the same as a full dinner. Use the restaurant or deli if you need a proper meal.

The aurora chase is the real reason to book

After the resort visit, the group heads back toward Fairbanks and begins the aurora chase. The guide monitors reports from NOAA and NASA and can respond to changing conditions. That approach is important in Fairbanks, where clouds can make one spot useless while another area offers a clearer view.

The operator says the aurora is visible in Fairbanks on nine out of ten nights from August through April when it is dark. That statistic should not be read as a promise for your exact night. Some displays are faint, some are strong, and thick clouds can block the sky completely.

Your guide may need to drive away from the resort or town before settling on a viewing place. This is why the return time varies so much. A short night might end closer to the lower estimate, while a more active chase can run toward 14 hours.

The two available accounts of this outing point to the strongest feature: persistence. Guide Lindsay made a special effort to find visible lights on a final possible night after three nights of solid cloud. On another cloudy day, she found a good viewing spot despite poor conditions. That does not remove the risk of a blank sky, but it tells you what kind of guide you are hiring: someone willing to keep watching conditions rather than give up at the first bad forecast.

Small-group photo help makes the cold more worthwhile

Photography help is included for both phones and cameras. That is a useful promise because northern lights often look disappointing in a quick handheld snapshot. You can ask for help with basic setup and framing rather than trying to solve everything in the dark.

The tour also includes aurora portrait photography, with five edited photos provided at the photographer’s discretion. This is a nice extra for couples, families, or anyone who wants a record of standing beneath the lights rather than only pictures of the sky.

The wording matters. The portraits are not an unconditional guarantee, and the aurora itself is not guaranteed. If clouds prevent a usable session, you should not book this solely for the photos.

Camera rentals are available at added cost. A Sony A6600 mirrorless camera is listed at $55 per booking, and a Sony A7iii at $50. A camera tripod costs $25, a cellphone tripod costs $15, and a rental camera memory card costs $15. If you already own suitable gear, you can avoid these charges and still receive photo guidance.

What $285 buys you, and what it does not

The price is $285 per person. That is a serious spend, but it covers more than a simple ride to Chena Hot Springs. You receive round-trip transport from the Fairbanks area, the hot spring outing, the return drive, a full aurora chase, sky discussion, photo assistance, simple snacks, hot drink supplies, and possible edited portraits.

You still need to add the $20 hot spring admission. If you want the Ice Museum, add another $20. A meal, massage, camera equipment, and gratuity are also separate. Pickup can bring another charge: the operator says a small fuel surcharge applies when you are more than 10 miles from central Fairbanks, and pickups within a 50-mile radius can carry a fuel fee. Confirm the exact amount before finalizing your plans.

The value improves if you want both Chena and the aurora. Booking two separate outings could mean paying for transportation twice and losing the flexibility of one guide managing the day. The value is weaker if you only want a soak, since you are paying for a long night chase and may not care about the northern lights.

Timing, cold, and bathroom planning

The tour starts at 3 p.m. and may continue well past midnight. You need enough energy for a long ride, an outdoor wait, and a late return. It is not a good fit for someone who dislikes uncertain schedules or cold-weather stops.

Restrooms are available at the resort. Away from Chena, the tour can use remote areas without plumbing, so bathroom breaks are generally outside. This is a small but important fact. Plan ahead at the resort and accept that the chase may not offer normal facilities.

Very young children may have a hard time staying outside for a full night in extreme cold. All ages are welcome, but the operator asks about children under 12. Contact the company about mobility needs before booking, since they will try to accommodate specific concerns.

The group size is capped at seven. That is small enough to make the vehicle ride more personal, but you should still expect to share decisions about stops and viewing time. The guide needs to balance everyone’s comfort, sky conditions, and the chance of finding a clear patch.

The weather risk is real, so plan your Fairbanks nights carefully

The northern lights are a natural event. No guide can make them appear, and cloud cover is the main problem. A strong forecast may still change, while a poor-looking night can sometimes clear in the right place.

For that reason, I would schedule this tour early enough in your Fairbanks stay to leave room for another attempt if your plans allow. The cancellation terms are strict: the booking is non-refundable and cannot normally be changed. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

That policy protects you when the company decides conditions are too poor to operate, but it does not protect you from an unsuccessful chase that still runs. If you see no lights, the tour is not automatically refundable.

Book only if you can accept that risk. The guide’s effort and live tracking improve your odds, but they cannot control clouds or solar activity.

Who will enjoy this best

I would choose this for someone who wants a full Alaska night, not a short attraction visit. It suits couples who want hot springs and photos, first-time aurora hunters who want help with the science and camera settings, and small groups that prefer a personal guide.

It also fits people with only one free day for Chena and the northern lights. Combining both saves time and avoids arranging separate transport.

I would think twice if you have a very young child, a strict bedtime, limited cold-weather clothing, or a morning flight the next day. The same caution applies if your main goal is a guaranteed aurora photograph. No tour can offer that.

Should you book the Chena and Aurora Chase?

Book it if you want the best practical combination of Chena Hot Springs, a small group, and an active search for clear aurora skies. Lindsay’s persistence is a real advantage when clouds threaten to spoil the night, and the included photo help makes the outing more useful for beginners.

Skip it if you only want a soak, need a short schedule, or cannot accept a non-refundable booking tied to natural conditions. For the right person, the $285 price buys a very full day and night. Just add the admissions, dress for severe cold, use the resort restroom before leaving, and keep your expectations pointed at the experience rather than a guaranteed light show.

FAQ

How long does the Chena Hot Springs and Aurora Chase Tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 10 to 14 hours. It begins around 3 p.m. and includes three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs before the aurora chase.

What is included in the $285 price?

The price includes transportation from qualifying Fairbanks or North Pole lodging, round-trip travel to Chena Hot Springs, a full aurora chase, an aurora discussion, photography help, simple snacks, hot cocoa or instant coffee and tea supplies, and five edited aurora portraits at the photographer’s discretion.

Are Chena Hot Springs admission and the Ice Museum included?

No. The hot spring pass costs $20 per person. Ice Museum admission costs another $20 per person.

Is the northern lights display guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Thick clouds can prevent viewing, although the guide monitors live information from NOAA and NASA.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup is offered from lodging in the Fairbanks or North Pole area. Transportation is included within the stated service area, while fuel surcharges may apply for locations more than 10 miles from central Fairbanks or within the wider 50-mile pickup radius.

Can I rent a camera or tripod?

Yes. A Sony A6600 rental costs $55 per booking, and a Sony A7iii costs $50. A camera tripod costs $25, while a cellphone tripod costs $15. A memory card for a rental camera costs $15.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered another date or a full refund. If you cancel or request an amendment yourself, the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed.