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Leave Fairbanks mid-afternoon for Chena Hot Springs: soak in geothermal pools, visit the Ice Museum, then head out with a guide to chase the Aurora Borealis. This long but well-supported outing blends warm comfort with cold‑weather fieldcraft to increase your chances of seeing the lights.
Leave Fairbanks mid-afternoon for Chena Hot Springs: soak in geothermal pools, visit the Ice Museum, then head out with a guide to chase the Aurora Borealis. This long but well-supported outing blends warm comfort with cold‑weather fieldcraft to increase your chances of seeing the lights.
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Operated by Wandering Alaska LLC · Chena Hot Springs, Alaska
A low-slung passenger vehicle eases out of Fairbanks as late afternoon light thins, tires crunching on the road that threads toward Chena Hot Springs. By the time you reach the resort, steam lifts off the pools and the air smells faintly mineral — a warm pocket against the Alaska cold. After a few hours soaking, exploring the Ice Museum, or taking a geothermal tour, the guide will drive you away from resort lights to hunt for auroral curtains that can flare and fold across the sky.
easy.
10–14 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels but expect long periods outdoors at night; basic mobility required to enter/exit a low vehicle and walk on icy ground.
The tour runs roughly 10–14 hours total: you’ll leave mid‑afternoon, spend about 3–6 hours at Chena Hot Springs, then go on the aurora chase back toward Fairbanks.
No — the aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed; guides use live NOAA/NASA data to maximize chances but cloud cover can prevent viewing.
Yes — round-trip transportation from lodgings in Fairbanks and North Pole (within about 25 miles of the airport) is included.
The standard vehicle is low to the ground and not wheelchair-ready; contact the operator ahead of time to discuss special arrangements and mobility needs.
Local hot springs were used for generations by Indigenous Athabascan communities and later by miners and early settlers; the modern resort developed in the 20th century around geothermal resources.
The area is ecologically sensitive; stay on roads and cleared viewing sites to avoid trampling vegetation and minimize light pollution when photographing the aurora.
Wandering Alaska LLC operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
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