Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

Chena Hot Springs gives you three distinctly Alaskan pleasures in one long evening: a warm outdoor soak, a room built from ice, and a patient search for the Northern Lights. The resort lies about 56 miles from Fairbanks, so the drive is part of the experience, not just a transfer.

I like the way the tour combines several costly or awkward-to-arrange activities, and I like the small-group format, capped at 14 people. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, Gina, Donnie, and Kevin also add plenty of local stories and practical help. The tradeoff is simple: this is a long night, dinner costs extra, and no guide can promise an aurora.

Quick points to know

• The evening can run past midnight: Pickup is usually between 4:30 and 5:15 PM, with some aurora chases continuing until about 2 AM.
• Chena offers more than a hot pool: You also get the Ice Museum, access to indoor and outdoor tubs, and an indoor pool.
• The guides are a major part of the value: Tony is especially praised for aurora advice, photography help, local stories, and persistence.
• Bring the right swim gear: Pack a swimsuit, towel, shower shoes, and a small bag for your belongings.
• Dinner is optional and not included: You can eat at the resort restaurant, bring snacks, or purchase smaller portions at the gift shop.
• Aurora sightings depend on nature: Cloud cover can block the lights, but the guides may make several stops on the return drive.

Why this Fairbanks evening works so well

At $245.99 per person, this is not a bargain-basement outing. Still, the price includes hotel or bed-and-breakfast pickup, transport to Chena, the hot springs swimming area, the Ice Museum, bottled water, and locker money.

You are also paying for a guide who handles the driving and watches the sky while you relax. That matters in winter, when roads can be icy, temperatures can drop sharply, and the best aurora may appear long after the scheduled resort activities are finished.

The tour lasts roughly eight to ten hours. The stated schedule begins with pickup in Fairbanks between 4:30 and 5:15 PM, but the return time can stretch late if the aurora appears. One group did not get back until around 2 AM after chasing the lights.

I see the value most clearly if you do not have a rental car, do not want to drive at night, or want several activities handled in one booking. If you already have a car and plan to visit Chena on your own, compare the cost carefully. The guide service and aurora search are the parts that make this package more than simple admission tickets.

The 1.5-hour drive to Chena Hot Springs

Your guide picks you up in the lobby of your selected Fairbanks meeting point. Pickup times vary by location, but the operating window is generally 4:30 to 5:15 PM. The guide checks your booking, gets you settled in the van, and begins the drive east toward Chena Hot Springs Resort.

The ride takes about 1.5 hours. That is a fair stretch of road, but it gives the guide time to explain Fairbanks, Interior Alaska, local life, and the basics of aurora watching.

This is where the small group helps. The maximum is 14 people, and some departures are much smaller. A few groups have had only four to six people, which makes it easier to ask questions, adjust the pace, and stop for photos.

Tony receives especially strong praise for keeping the van lively and sharing stories about Alaska. Chris is also noted for careful driving and clear explanations about Fairbanks life and culture. Other guides, including Savvy, Gina, Donnie, and Kevin, have been praised for patience and organization.

Do not treat the drive as wasted time. It is one of the better chances to learn how the evening will work, when to change into swimwear, and how to prepare for the cold aurora stops later.

The Ice Museum: a quick, strange, photogenic stop

At Chena, your guide arranges admission to the Ice Museum. The scheduled guided visit lasts about 45 minutes, though the actual pace can feel faster, especially when the museum is crowded or some sculptures are being repaired.

The building is filled with sculptures made from ice, including the famous ice bar. It is a quirky contrast to the hot springs and gives you a chance to take photos without standing outside in the cold.

The Ice Bar sells an Appletini served in an ice glass, but you need to buy the drink at the activity center before heading to the museum. Bring identification if you plan to purchase alcohol. The drink is optional, and one useful bit of advice is to skip it if the novelty does not interest you. Some people found the premixed drink and glass charge poor value, and supplies can run out.

The museum is one of the tour’s more unusual stops, but it is not the main reason I would book this outing. Think of it as a compact, entertaining attraction that fills out the evening. If you want a long museum visit with lots of time for close inspection, this may feel brief.

Crowding can also affect the experience. A busy final entry may feel rushed, and the museum’s condition can vary if sculptures are being repaired. Still, the ice architecture is unusual enough to justify the stop, especially for first-time visitors to Interior Alaska.

Dinner at the resort, with a little planning

Dinner is not included, so you have a choice. You can eat at the on-site restaurant, bring your own snacks, or buy smaller food items at the gift shop.

The restaurant has received praise for generous portions and dishes such as scallops. Guides may help arrange seating, which is useful because service can slow down when the dining room is busy. One group experienced a long wait after the restaurant lost track of its table, while another had a smooth meal with a reservation arranged by the guide.

That inconsistency is worth knowing before you arrive. If dinner matters to you, tell your guide early and allow enough time. The guide may be able to reserve a table, but the restaurant controls its own service.

I would not arrive expecting a quick meal between tightly timed attractions. The evening has some flexibility, and an unexpected restaurant delay may change the order of the hot springs or aurora search. Bring a snack if you are prone to getting hungry, especially since the tour may continue well after midnight.

Soaking under the stars at Chena

The hot springs swimming area is the heart of the experience. Your admission includes the natural hot springs, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and an indoor pool. The warm water feels particularly good after time in the Ice Museum and before standing outside to watch the sky.

You get about two hours for this part of the visit. That is enough time to change, soak, cool down indoors, and return to the water without feeling hurried.

The outdoor water is the special part. You may look up at a clear sky filled with stars, and on a good night the aurora may appear overhead. A few groups saw the lights while soaking, which creates the kind of odd Alaskan contrast people remember: warm water, freezing air, and green light above.

Conditions at the pool can vary. One person found the colored lights around the hot springs distracting, while others focused on the relaxing temperature and the unusual setting. The resort can also be crowded, especially at popular times.

Pack a swimsuit, towel, and shower shoes. Shower shoes are particularly helpful for the locker room floor. Towels can be rented for $5 if you forget one, and other supplies can be bought at the resort.

The lockers require two quarters. The tour includes 50 cents, and your guide can provide the coins. Keep your phone and camera secure, since the locker area is the sensible place to leave anything you do not want near the water.

Drink water before entering the hot springs. The heat can sneak up on you, especially after a long drive and a full meal. Take breaks in the indoor cooling area or indoor pool rather than staying in the hottest water for the entire two-hour period.

The aurora chase begins after the resort

After the Ice Museum, hot springs, and optional dinner, the evening turns toward the Northern Lights. This is not simply a single viewing stop with a fixed departure time. Guides watch the sky and may choose different spots on the drive back to Fairbanks.

That flexibility is one of the strongest reasons to book this particular format. Tony is often praised for explaining aurora forecasts, making several stops, and staying out late when the lights take their time. Chris, Savvy, Gina, Donnie, and Kevin have also been praised for trying multiple locations and helping with photos.

On some nights, the lights appear at Chena. On others, the group sees them farther down the road. A cloudy sky can shut down the show completely, and even a clear night may produce only a faint glow. One group saw no aurora at all but still enjoyed the springs and Ice Museum. Another saw only a small display at Chena, then a much stronger show during the return drive.

That is the honest deal: the tour improves your odds, but it cannot control the weather or the aurora. The guide can choose promising viewing points, explain what you are seeing, and wait when conditions look favorable. Nature makes the final decision.

Bring your warmest winter clothing for this part. You may leave a heated van, wait beside the road, take photos, and return to the vehicle several times. Gloves, a hat, and insulated footwear matter far more during the aurora chase than they do inside the resort.

Photography help makes a difference

Northern Lights photography is harder than it looks. Your phone may record a pale green arc that your eyes barely noticed, or it may produce a blurry black frame if you move during the exposure.

Guides on this tour have helped with photos, including pictures of people standing beneath the lights. That assistance is useful because the group may stop suddenly when the aurora begins, and you may not have time to work out camera settings from scratch.

Tony is particularly praised for helping people get memorable images. Still, do not expect a professional photography lesson or guaranteed perfect portraits. Your results depend on your phone or camera, the strength of the aurora, cloud cover, and how steady you can hold the device.

The best approach is to charge your phone fully, clear some storage, and keep it warm until you need it. A cold battery can lose power quickly. The tour includes bottled water, but you are responsible for your camera gear and personal supplies.

What the small-group format feels like

The van holds no more than 14 people, and some departures are much smaller. This gives the outing a friendlier feel than a large coach tour and lets you speak directly with the guide during the drive.

A small group also makes the aurora chase more practical. It is easier to get everyone out for a quick stop, decide how long to wait, and pull over when the sky changes.

The tradeoff is space. A small van is not a roomy motor coach, and you may spend several hours in it. If you dislike long drives or need extra room, ask about the vehicle before booking.

The guides are the most praised part of the experience. Tony is described as funny, attentive, and full of Alaska stories. Chris is noted for answering questions and driving safely. Savvy receives credit for responsibility and persistence, while Gina and Donnie handled a departure when Tony became unavailable. Kevin is also praised for patience, humor, and aurora knowledge.

That range matters because the guide can shape the whole night. The resort attractions remain the same, but a warm, alert guide makes the long drive and uncertain aurora wait much easier.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this tour if you want a single evening that covers several Fairbanks highlights without arranging transport yourself. It suits solo visitors, couples, families, and small groups who appreciate local stories and do not want to drive back from Chena in the dark.

It is also a good choice for people who want a second chance at the aurora during the return trip. The guides do not simply drop you at the hotel after the hot springs. They may keep looking when the conditions give you a reason to hope.

This is less suitable if you need an early bedtime, want a guaranteed Northern Lights display, or dislike flexible schedules. You should also reconsider it if wheelchair access is essential, since the resort is not wheelchair accessible.

The tour is offered in English. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate, but the extended evening and hot springs setting may not suit every physical ability.

Is the $245.99 price fair?

I think the price is fair when you use most of what is included. You receive round-trip pickup, a long-distance drive, hot springs admission, Ice Museum entry, bottled water, locker money, and guide service during an aurora search that can continue for hours.

Dinner, snacks, towel rental, and the Appletini cost extra. These add-ons can push the final bill higher, so budget accordingly. Bringing a snack and your own towel is an easy way to limit extra spending.

The strongest value comes from convenience and the guide’s effort. A rental car would still leave you responsible for winter driving, parking, timing, and deciding where to look for the aurora. This tour folds those decisions into one evening.

My booking advice

Book it if you want a full Alaskan night rather than a single attraction. The hot springs are the reliable centerpiece, the Ice Museum adds something unusual, and the aurora chase gives the evening a real sense of possibility.

Go in with realistic expectations. The Northern Lights may be spectacular, faint, or absent. If you would still be happy with the hot springs, Ice Museum, and scenic drive, the tour is a sound choice. If the aurora is your only goal, consider booking early in your stay so you have another night available if clouds win.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. The operator may also cancel for poor weather or too few bookings, offering another date or a full refund. Within 24 hours, changes and cancellations are not accepted.

FAQ

How much does the tour cost?

The tour costs $245.99 per person.

How long does the experience last?

Plan on approximately eight to ten hours. The return can be later if the group spends extra time searching for the Northern Lights.

Where does pickup take place?

The guide picks you up at your preferred meeting point in Fairbanks, usually between 4:30 and 5:15 PM. Pickup is in the hotel or bed-and-breakfast lobby.

Is transportation included?

Yes. The guide provides pickup in Fairbanks, transport to Chena Hot Springs Resort, and return transportation to your preferred meeting place.

Is dinner included?

No. Dinner and snacks are optional and cost extra. You can eat at the resort restaurant or buy smaller food portions at the gift shop.

What does the tour include at Chena Hot Springs?

Admission includes the hot springs swimming area, indoor and outdoor hot tubs, and the indoor pool.

Is the Ice Museum included?

Yes. Admission to the Ice Museum is included, with a guided visit scheduled for about 45 minutes.

What should I bring for the hot springs?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and shower shoes. Towels can be rented or purchased at the resort if needed.

Do I need coins for the locker?

Yes. The locker requires two quarters. The tour includes 50 cents, and the guide can provide the quarters.

Is seeing the Northern Lights guaranteed?

No. Aurora viewing depends on weather and sky conditions. The guide may make several stops to improve your chances, but clouds or weak activity can prevent a sighting.

Is the resort wheelchair accessible?

No. The resort is not wheelchair accessible. Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate.