HOT SPRINGS · FAIRBANKS HOT SPRINGS
The 15 best fairbanks hot springs tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long you get in the water and who it suits. Number one is there for a reason; start at the top.
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group, tour the Aurora Ice Museum, reserve dinner, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora on the way home. Guides such as Savvy, Jessica, Tyler, Gina, and Shannon are praised for tracking skies, wildlife, and safe viewing stops.
“Savvy was great. She made the experience fun and was willing to do whatever she could to make us comfortable.”
Spend about eight hours traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide, soaking in 106-degree mineral water, touring the Aurora Ice Museum, and learning about geothermal power. Guides such as Jean, Ray, Gavin, and Amanda have helped make the drive part of the experience. Pickup is available from Fairbanks city hotels.
“Suzi was cheerful, and warm which made it easy to ask her questions. She was gracious about picking us up from the designated location. We thoroughly enjoyed spending time in the Hot Springs and the Ice Sculpture Museum. The restaurant in the resort was quite good, but I would recommend that people that require vegetarian food options, consider carrying their food with them.”
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 12. You’ll visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum, hear local stories from an English-speaking guide, see geothermal features, and soak in the resort’s thermal pools. Guides such as Ash, Paul, Joe, Jeff, and Ed have made the drive especially rewarding.
“We had a wonderful time on the ride to and from Chena Hot Springs with our guide Joe. He took such great care of us! While at Chena, there were so many activities for us to do!! Above all, we got to see 2 moose out in the wild!!!”
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs on a 10.5-hour evening outing with a small group of up to 12. You’ll visit the Ice Museum, soak in the indoor pool or adults-only Rock Lake, and wait for the aurora. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Randy, and Paul have earned praise for clear local stories and patient aurora watching.
“We were disappointed that it was cloudy the whole time. No aurora We really enjoyed the hot springs. It was a pleasure getting to know Linus Platt our guide. Bravo Linus.”
Spend an evening at Chena Hot Springs Resort with pickup in Fairbanks, a 45-minute Ice Museum tour, hot springs access, and an aurora chase on the return drive. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, and Kevin add local stories and practical help. Dinner is optional, and the Northern Lights depend on weather.
“We want to give a huge thank you to our wonderful guide, Savvy! She took us to Chena Hot Springs and on an incredible aurora chase. Thanks to her knowledge and dedication, we witnessed a breathtakingly beautiful aurora explosion—a truly unforgettable experience. Savvy was incredibly attentive, professional, and responsible throughout the entire trip. We are so grateful to her for making this adventure so special. Thank you, Savvy”
Leave your Fairbanks hotel in a small group of up to 10, visit the Aurora Ice Museum, soak at Chena Hot Springs, and wait for the Northern Lights. Guides such as Joe, Ryan, and Daniel are known for helpful local insight and flexible aurora viewing. Bring swimwear, a towel, cash, and warm layers.
“The tour was nice and the springs were wonderful. Our guide Ryan was exceptional making sure we were comfortable and helped us to see the Northern lights after our mineral springs visit. The restaurant served good food in a nice atmosphere. Other than that the property did not have much to do for the long time you spend there. It was a little plain for what we expected for the price”
Start around 5pm with Fairbanks ice art, then stop for dinner before heading to Chena Hot Springs. Guide Kevin or Tabitha helps you photograph the Aurora Borealis and may chase clearer skies beyond the resort. Soak in the mineral pool, watch for the lights, and return around 1 to 2am.
“Hot Springs very relaxing. Not the best night for viewing but guide Tabitha was great. Learned a lot about winter life and sustainability.”
Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening soak, a guided ice museum visit, and time to watch for the aurora. Guides such as Kevin, Andrew, Andre, and Tristan have helped make the outing personal and easy to follow. Bring a swimsuit, towel, warm clothes, and quarters for the lockers.
“This experience was absolutely amazing and Andrew our guide was fantastic! To say we had an amazing time is an understatement. We would absolutely recommend this experience.”
From Fairbanks, you’ll ride about an hour to Chena Hot Springs for a guided Ice Museum visit, a geothermal-energy tour, and several hours in the pools. Guides such as Paul and Joe have earned praise for clear, entertaining commentary. Bring swimwear, flip-flops, and a towel, and note that the outdoor rock lake pool is for adults 18 and older.
“the ride from fairbanks the chena hots springs was about an hour. Our driver Paul was very entertaining and knowledgeable. We did the hots springs, the indoor pool and lunch there it was a great experience.”
Spend about nine hours with AK Bucket List Tours on a private evening from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. Soak in mineral-rich water, visit the Ice Museum, consider dinner, then search for the Northern Lights with a guide such as Gina or Christopher. Pickup is offered, and the tour returns to Fairbanks late.
“Gina!!! What an amazing guide. She actually studied the Northern Lights, so she's sooo knowledgable about them, as well as the guide business. She knows the staff well over at Chena, so we were able to skip lines and make sure that we were able to participate in all experiences. The Hot Springs at Chena were super warm, and there were spots for people who like the water warmer vs colder. As for actually finding the lights, Gina knew a lot of different spots that were not only beautiful, but provided gorgeous backdrops to view the aurora (which we did!).”
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with Heart of Alaska Tours for an evening at the Ice Museum, a soak in the natural rock pool, and a Northern Lights search. Guides including Kevin, Gavin, and Nate provide pickup, local insight, photo stops, and help with aurora viewing. Dinner and the Ice Museum appletini cost extra.
“The tour operator is excellent. Kevin is awesome. The highlight of the trip was Aurora. Kevin would stopped at places to take pic for us. The hot spring is nice but nothing spectacular. Their ice museum is meh.”
Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 12. Kevin, Nate, or another Heart of Alaska guide leads the scenic drive, wildlife spotting, Aurora Ice Museum visit, and geothermal soak. Dinner, an ice-glass Appletini, and towel rental cost extra.
“This is a unique and wonderful experience. A must do while at Fairbanks! Kevin is the absolutely best choice for this tour!!! He goes out of his way to make sure that this is a fun adventure while providing tons of information. Highly recommend it😊”
Spend eight hours traveling from Fairbanks or North Pole to Chena Hot Springs Resort with an English-speaking guide. Tour the year-round Aurora Ice Museum, learn how geothermal power supports the resort, and soak in mineral water. Guides such as Rachel and Jodie have been praised for clear local insight and thoughtful service.
“Very knowledgeable and highly professional guide, very enjoyable and informative tour”
Ride in a private car from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 61 miles away. Your hot springs pass, coffee or tea, and bottled water are included. You get four hours at the resort, with time for the springs, restaurant, Ice Museum, or other paid activities. Evening departures can add aurora-viewing potential.
“Driver/Guide was excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. He presented all the information requested in a timely manner and was very flexible to accommodate our needs.”
Leave Fairbanks at 5 p.m. for Chena Hot Springs, where you’ll tour the resort, visit the Aurora Ice Museum and Bar, soak in the outdoor springs, and eat on site. Your guide handles the winter driving through Tanana Valley State Forest, with a chance to spot wildlife and auroras on the return.
“It was excellent! The guide was great! We had a great experiences in Chena Hot Spring, Aurora Ice Museum and after we saw the Northern Lights! I highly recommend this tour!”
By tradition, by country, or by the kind of day it makes.
