HOT SPRINGS · USA HOT SPRINGS
Alaskan aurora pools, desert soaks and mountain resorts. The 15 below are priced with the transfer included or not made clear, plus the seasons when the road in is actually open.
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.”
At Adventureworks in Hot Springs, you’ll gear up with a helmet and harness, learn the safety system, then ride 10 ziplines through old-growth forest and across water. The 90-minute tour includes short trail walks, a 70-foot-high, 850-foot final line, and a small group capped at 10 people. Guides such as PJ, Tanner, Keeley, and Ruby are known for calm instruction and plenty of humor.
“Should not wear flip flops. Definitely tennis shoes or hiking boots are appropriate. Had a great time and I definitely recommend this for beginners”
Paddle 12 miles from the base of Hoover Dam through Black Canyon, then walk to Arizona Hot Springs and a sauna cave. Evolution Expeditions provides kayaks, lunch, snacks, water, and an English-speaking guide. Guides such as Ryan, Faith, Chris, Michael, and Ashley have led this active small-group trip.
“Amazing. Saw a grey fox, an eagle scoop up a duck, a pregnant mountain sheep, hot springs (fave part) and the most beautiful views”
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.”
Meet your ACA Level 3 guide at Grant Village Marina for a four-hour paddle across Yellowstone Lake toward West Thumb Geyser Basin. Choose a single or double kayak, watch for birds and wildlife, and learn how the lake’s geothermal features and ecosystems formed. Bring warm, non-cotton layers because the water is 38 degrees.
“The trip was great; definitely one of the highlights of our trip. Annie was our guide and she was fantastic; so knowledgeable and personable. She texted and emailed us a week before. Her e-mail contained information on what to wear and bring. She was spot on and I would absolutely recommend following those suggestions. We were very comfortable. We would highly recommend this trip.”
Join Adventure Colorado Tours for an active day from Denver to St. Mary’s Glacier and Idaho Springs. You’ll hike 1.5 miles round trip at 10,200 feet, use provided crampons and winter gear if needed, then soak in Indian Hot Springs’ gender-specific mineral caves. Guides such as Tyler, Matt, Trey, and Ariel tailor the pace for groups of up to four.
“We had a great time, our tour guide was very knowledgeable and took us up the glacier the scenic route so we got lots of cool pictures without running into any other people until we reached the top. 100% recommend this tour and the pizza was AMAZING”
Spend about eight hours exploring Yellowstone’s Lower Loop from West Yellowstone with a private guide such as Tin, Mike, Lisa, Kat, or Spencer. Expect Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon, wildlife stops, lunch, snacks, binoculars, and a spotting scope, with time to adjust the day to your interests.
“We saw bears from a safe distance and our guides had scopes so we could see up close. We watched old faithful, saw the grand prismatic, and learned about them too. Our guides were so friendly and knowledgeable and that made the experience even better. It was a great trip!”
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 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 14. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, eat dinner at the resort, soak in the 106 F mineral water, and watch for auroras. Guides such as Gina, Greg, and Ron may make extra stops when the sky is active.
“Greg is very informative. We had a great aurora sight seeing of him. Thanks.”
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.”
Meet your guide at Grant Marina for a three-hour kayak trip along Yellowstone Lake. You’ll paddle four to five miles toward West Thumb Geyser Basin, seeing geothermal features from the water. Guides such as Dylan, Maddie, Tiffany, and Allen provide gear, safety help, and stories about Yellowstone’s geology, wildlife, and history.
“Maddie was our guide and she was amazing. She is knowledgeable, professional, friendly and easy to talk to and enthusiastic. In addition to the thermal activities we saw a grizzly and an elk. She alerted the village as well as the park authorities about the grizzly.”
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”
Escape the Strip for two hours at Star Spa, just minutes from Las Vegas Boulevard. You get one hour in a private Jacuzzi and steam sauna, followed by a 60-minute hot stone massage. Request a male or female therapist, and bring up to six people, though the VIP massage room is designed for two.
“This was one of the most relaxing days of our week in Vegas! Highly recommend the private jacuzzi room prior to a couples massage! The therapists were phenomenal. Bill and Sandy Windsor”
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.”
By tradition, by country, or by the kind of day it makes.
