Chena Hot Springs: A Summer And Winter Guide
Steam billowed from the water, making it hard to see anyone nearby. When the mist cleared, I spotted someone grinning, shoulders deep in the mineral water, with frost forming in their hair. That’s what Chena Hot Springs feels like.
Visiting Chena Hot Springs offers one of Alaska’s most unique and satisfying experiences. Located about 60 miles northeast of Fairbanks, the resort combines a natural hot spring, a geothermal research center, and a top spot for aurora viewing, all in one place.
Whether you’re joining a tour with a cruise or driving yourself, here’s what you should know before your visit.
A Day Trip From Fairbanks
Chena Hot Springs is in the Chena River Valley, about an hour and fifteen minutes from Fairbanks by car, with paved roads the whole way.
If you’re adding Chena Hot Springs to a Denali trip, our 5-day Anchorage to Denali itinerary shows where it fits after a morning in the park. It’s an easy stop on the way north to Fairbanks, not a detour that takes up an extra day.
You don’t need to rent a car to visit. The resort offers a shuttle from Fairbanks hotels for a fee. Several tour operators offer half-day or full-day packages that include transportation, a soak in the hot springs, and sometimes lunch. If you’re short on time or prefer not to drive Alaska’s rural highways, this is an easier choice.
This Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs package combines two popular places with transportation from Fairbanks.
| Chena Hot Springs at a Glance | |
| Distance from Fairbanks | ~60 miles northeast. |
| Drive time | About 1 hr. 15 min. |
| Getting there without a car | Resort shuttle from Fairbanks hotels; half-day/full-day tour packages available. |
| Best for aurora viewing | Late September–March. |
| Best for fewer crowds | Shoulder season (April, September). |
| Pool temperature | 100–106°F. |
| Minimum time to budget | 3–4 hours round trip, plus time at the resort. |
| Good pairing | Denali-to-Fairbanks drive, North Pole add-on stop. |
| On-site extras | Geothermal greenhouse tour, Aurora Ice Museum, dog sledding/ATV tours. |
A Summer Destination And A Winter Destination
Most people picture Chena Hot Springs as a winter activity, and it earns that reputation. It’s one of the top spots for viewing the aurora borealis in Alaska. But the resort operates year-round, and the two seasons offer genuinely different experiences worth planning around.
|
Summer (May–September) |
Winter (October–March) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Highlight |
Hiking, greenhouse tours, midnight sun soaks |
Northern lights viewing, Ice Museum, Aurora ice bar |
|
Pool temperature feel |
Refreshing contrast to warm air |
Best part of the whole trip — steam rising into sub-zero air |
|
Crowds |
Busier with road-trippers and cruise/land tour add-ons |
Quieter, but book aurora-season lodging early |
|
What to pack |
Swimsuit, sandals, light layers |
Swimsuit, insulated boots, a coat you don’t mind getting steamy |
We’ve also visited during the shoulder season, when Fairbanks starts to warm up. The springs still steam, and our Alaska in April guide covers how to plan a trip with fewer crowds and milder weather while still enjoying the hot-spring experience.
What To Do Once You’re There
Soak In The Rock Lake Pool
The main outdoor hot springs are a natural rock lake, not a chlorinated pool, and you’ll likely spend most of your time there. It’s a great way to relax. If you want more, the Pool House also offers massage therapy.
The water stays between 100 and 106°F, and floating while snow falls—or in summer, under the midnight sun—is a big part of the experience. I suggest tying your hair up; mine froze when it got wet in winter.
Tour The Geothermal Greenhouse
Most people don’t expect a working greenhouse at a hot springs resort, but Chena grows much of its own produce using geothermal heat, even in winter. The tour is short, interesting, and a good break between soaks if you’re spending the day.
Visit The Ice Museum
Chena’s Aurora Ice Museum stays below freezing all year, thanks to geothermal energy. You can walk among hand-carved ice sculptures and even sip an apple martini from a glass made of ice, even in July. The museum also has an ice hotel and an ice chapel.
It’s a quick and easy addition to your soak and worth the extra ticket. Fairbanks has its own ice museum, but we found this one to be better.
Try Dog Sledding Or A Snowmobile Tour
In winter, dog sled rides and snowmobile tours through the surrounding boreal forest are fun. Both can be booked in short blocks, so they pair easily with a soak either before or after. Longer tours tarvel further and are more fun. We especially enjoyed harnessing our team.
Top Dog Sledding Winter Options
1 HR Starter Adventure
Feel the power of mushing in this starter tour. Includes transportation and a hot drink.
2 HR Basic Dog Mushing
Get hands on experience mushing your own dog team. Pickup from major hotels.
3 HR Drive Your Own Team
Half-day excursion with a family-friendly option. Learn to harness the dogs and more.
During summer, the sled dog kennels offer ATV tours pulled by sled dogs. It’s a similar experience, just on dirt trails instead of snow.
Book An Aurora Viewing Package
If you visit between September and March, the resort’s aurora tours are a reliable way to see the northern lights. Many travelers like this option because it means you don’t have to drive out into the dark yourself.
Our aurora borealis guide has more on how Chena compares to other viewing spots around Fairbanks, including Borealis Basecamp.
Where It Fits With The Rest Of Fairbanks
Chena Hot Springs is best as a half-day or full-day addition to your Fairbanks plans, rather than your only activity. Pair it with the Riverboat Discovery tour or a visit to Gold Dredge 8 for a more complete Fairbanks itinerary. Both are included in our Fairbanks summer attractions guide.
If you’re planning a longer visit, think about adding a side trip to the North Pole or the Midnight Sun Festival.
Add On A Stop In The North Pole
If you’re heading back to Fairbanks after your soak, try passing through the North Pole, a small and festive town about 60 miles southwest of Chena Hot Springs.
The town is decorated for Christmas all year, with candy-cane striped light poles and a Santa Claus House you can visit even in summer. It’s an easy stop that breaks up the drive without taking much extra time. Plan to spend 30 to 45 minutes browsing.
Kids especially enjoy it, and it’s a great place to pick up an Alaska-themed Christmas ornament. Treat it as a quick stop for photos and shopping on your way back, and it fits easily into the same day as your Chena Hot Springs visit.
Practical Tips For Visiting Chena Hot Springs
- Bring a towel or rent one at the resort. Keep in mind that towel rentals can run out during busy times.
- Book aurora viewing packages in advance during winter. Clear nights fill up quickly once the forecast looks good.
- If you wear glasses, bring a strap or floating case. It’s easy to lose them in the pool, and getting anything from the bottom of a hot spring is difficult.
- If you’re planning just a day trip, allow at least 3 to 4 hours for driving, in addition to your time at the resort.
- Staying overnight gives you the best chance to see the aurora, since you won’t have to rush back to Fairbanks on a shuttle.
Staying Longer In Fairbanks
If you’re spending more time in the Fairbanks area, Chena Hot Springs Resort has several types of accommodation. Try yurts or camping in summer or choose log cabins and family suites in winter.
The Bottom Line
Chena Hot Springs is more than a quick photo stop. It’s best enjoyed over a few relaxed hours, whether you’re soaking on a summer afternoon between Denali and Fairbanks or spending a winter night watching green lights dance across the sky.
Make Chena Hot Springs a main destination instead of an afterthought, and it will probably become one of your trip’s most memorable stops.
