Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an evening that pairs geothermal baths and the northern lights. This guided tour includes an Ice Museum visit, hot-springs soak and multiple aurora-viewing stops under Alaskan dark skies.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The bus eases out of Fairbanks at dusk and the forest closes around you like a moving wall of black spruce and birch. Headlights pick out roadside snowdrifts, and by the time you arrive at Chena Hot Springs Resort the steam rising from earthen pools seems to be breathing with the land. Inside the resort you can tour the Ice Museum carved from local water, dine in a rustic room warmed by geothermal heat, then slip into mineral-rich pools while the night sky readies its show.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7–8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; comfortable mobility for short walks and standing during viewing is helpful
Wildlife
History
Chena Hot Springs developed around natural geothermal vents used by Indigenous people and later prospectors; the resort expanded mid-20th century and now generates its own geothermal power.
Conservation
The resort uses geothermal energy to reduce fossil fuel use and low-light policies preserve dark-sky viewing; stay on marked paths to protect fragile tundra and vegetation.
Reserve your spot on the Chena Hot Springs Aurora Tour today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Dress in removable layers
Temperatures swing between heated indoor spaces and frigid nights—use a breathable base layer and insulated outer layer you can stow while soaking.
Bring a tripod and spare batteries
Long-exposure aurora photos drain batteries quickly in cold weather and need a stable support for sharp images.
Footwear for mixed surfaces
Waterproof boots with good traction help on icy paths between parking areas and pools; switch to sandals at the hot springs.
Hydrate and time meals
Eat before late-night viewing and sip water—hot-soak plus cold exposure can be dehydrating and tiring.
Insulated jacket
Keeps you warm during late-night aurora viewing in sub-freezing temperatures.
winter
Tripod and camera or smartphone mount
Necessary for long-exposure photos of the aurora in low light.
winter
Waterproof boots
Provide traction and keep feet dry on snowy or icy approaches to the pools.
winter
Swimsuit and quick-dry towel
Needed for soaking in the geothermal pools and quick drying afterward.