Where to Book: the 10 Best Hot Springs in the USA

1.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250Our pick

Leave Fairbanks around 4 p.m. for Chena Hot Springs Resort with a guide such as Savvy, Jessica, Tyler, or Shannon. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, eat dinner if you wish, soak in the 106°F springs, then search for the aurora on the resort grounds and along the return road. Pickup, transport, pool access, and museum admission are included.

“Our guide was the most informative about the Northern Lights and though it was great chances of seeing them, she could not control the weather. The sky became overcast and it began to snow. Bummer but she gave tips and offered plenty of info on how to see them on a clear night. She also shared knowledge about the Natives in Alaska along with some of their interpretations of the Lights. It was fun and exciting. The Aurora Ice Museum was amazing!! I didn't get in the hot springs but there was plenty to do in the Activity Center. On the way back to our hotels, we were able to…”

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2.Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 711 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66Best value

Meet your guide at Adventureworks in Hot Springs for a 90-minute forest zipline tour. After a safety briefing and gear check, you’ll ride 10 ziplines over old-growth trees and ponds, including an 850-foot line 70 feet above the ground. Guides such as PJ, Tanner, Keeley, and Ruby are known for patient instruction and lively humor.

“The zip line was an amazing experience over a large piece of property. You had two tour guides and 10 to 12 zip lines. There was an informational video and an informational example done in person. The overall last from an hour and a half to about two hours.”

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3.Hoover Dam & Hot Springs Kayak Tour with Lunch & Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 318 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $289

Kayak from the base of Hoover Dam through Black Canyon on a 12-mile flat-water route. You will visit Arizona Hot Springs, warm up in a sauna cave, and watch for bighorn sheep, eagles, falcons, coyotes, and waterfowl. Guides such as Ryan, Faith, Chris, Michael, and Ashley lead small groups, with lunch, snacks, water, and equipment included.

“The views The scenery Hot springs The guide The education The physical activity Ashley our guide was AMAZING!!!”

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4.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $210

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 14. Guides such as Jean, Ray, Gina, and Amanda share local stories along the drive. You’ll soak in the 106°F outdoor pool, tour the Aurora Ice Museum, and have time for lunch, trails, and optional geothermal exhibits.

“We had a great day at the hot springs. Our guide was a local who friendly and knowledgeable. Thx so much for a fun day”

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5.Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour | Wildlife & Hot Springs | PRIVATE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 127 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $424

Start early from West Yellowstone for an eight-hour private tour led by guides such as Tin, Mike, Lisa, Kat, or Spencer. You’ll visit Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon, Hayden Valley, West Thumb, and more. A naturalist guide, lunch, snacks, drinks, binoculars, and a spotting scope are included.

“Our private tour with Mike was perfect. Mike loves Yellowstone Park and knew everything!!! He knows all the secret places and all the info!! Go early, as he suggested , you will not be disappointed. If we went on our own, we would of went home early. When leaving the park, a grizzly bear crossed the road in front of us!!!! Everything was beautiful!!! Thanks Mike for a fabulous tour!!!”

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6.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 117 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $200

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking driver-guide, stopping at the Fairbanks Ice Museum before soaking in the thermal pools. The six-and-a-half-hour trip includes hotel pickup, bottled water, live commentary, and an optional geothermal tour. Guides such as Ash, Paul, Joe, Jeff, and Ed have been praised for adding wildlife stops and colorful Alaska stories.

“Jeff, out your guide provided information on the area. He made a couple of detours showing us a beaver lodge and dam, plus a pretty lake. . He spotted a moose and stopped for additional viewing time. We were able to see the ice museum. Interesting place. If interested, you can drink martini from an ice martini glass. The hot springs were wonderful. Various temperatures and water guns. The water guns had cool water, very warm water, and with strong pressure with warm water that you could allow to hit your back. It was like getting a deep tissue massage. It felt magnificent. There is also a hot tub and…”

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7.Fairbanks: Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $215

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks with a guide such as Gina, Greg, or Ron to Chena Hot Springs. Tour an ice museum, eat at the resort, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora. The 14-person tour returns around 2 to 3 a.m., and the lights are never guaranteed.

“The tour was great the people were very nice and friendly, unfortunately we did not see the Northern Lights. Evan was our guide and he went above and beyond to try and find the Lights but unfortunately to no avail.”

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8.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening of ice sculptures, mineral bathing, dinner on your own, and a long wait for the aurora. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Randy, Paul, and JT have made the ride especially enjoyable, but service at the resort can feel self-directed. Pickup is from major Fairbanks hotels, with groups limited to 12.

“Ed, our driver/guide was amazing! On the way there and while waiting for the Aurora, he told us about the source of the Aurora, interesting facts about bears, moose and caribu. Being a biologist, his explanations were great. As for the resort, the ice castle was closed due to some melting from the warm summer. There was a $21 tour to the ice bar, but missed it because we didn’t know. Bring your own towel if going into the hot springs, pool or hot tubs. If not, Pay $5 to rent one!! Food in the restaurant was good, but long wait. If you are having dinner, put your name in…”

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9.Yellowstone Lake & Hot Springs / 3 Hour Morning or Twilight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Launch from Grant Marina for a guided morning or twilight kayak trip across Yellowstone Lake. Guides such as Dylan, Maddie, Tiffany, and Allen provide safety instruction and explain the lake’s geology, wildlife, and thermal features. You’ll paddle about four to five miles, with a chance to see geysers from the water, then return to Grant Marina.

“Fantastic. We saw elk, geysers, and sunsets galore! And our guide was a sweetheart, patient, and knowledgeable”

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10.Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $245

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for a hot soak, the resort’s Ice Museum, optional dinner, and an aurora chase. Guides including Tony, Chris, Savvy, Gina, and Kevin are praised for local stories, careful driving, photo help, and persistence when the lights appear late. Expect pickup, a small group, and a very late return.

“It was great & spectacular experience! Being a 1st timer here at Alaska, i can say that it was really an amazing tour.”

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