Chena Hot Springs Resort

The Basics

In addition to soaking in the hot springs and viewing the remarkable ice carvings in the Aurora Ice Museum, Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a wide variety of activities including dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling during the winter months and horseback riding, hiking, biking, fishing, and ATV rides in summer. Chena is well known for its Northern Lights displays, so choose a tour that specializes in Northern Lights viewing for your best chance to see the aurora borealis.

Things to Know Before You Go

• Make sure your gas tank is full, as there are few facilities between Fairbanks and Chena.

• Wildlife sightings are common on Chena Hot Springs Road, so keep an eye out for moose, bears, and beavers.

• Stop and explore the Chena River Recreation Area on your way out to the hot springs.

• Don’t forget to pack a swimsuit, towel, and change for the lockers.

• Bring along a hat and gloves for the Aurora Ice Museum tour; parkas are provided.

How to Get There

Chena Hot Springs is located 60 miles (97 kilometers) northeast of downtown Fairbanks. Just follow the Chena Hot Springs Road, which dead ends at Chena Hot Springs. If you don’t have your own transportation, reserve a spot on the Chena shuttle or book a guided tour from Fairbanks or the town of North Pole.

When to Get There

Chena Hot Springs can be visited year-round. For the best chance of viewing the Northern Lights, visit between August and May. For winter sports such as snowshoeing, dog sledding, and cross-country skiing, visit between December and April, keeping in mind that December and January see very few daylight hours.

Viewing the Northern Lights

Due to its geographic location and low light pollution, Chena Hot Springs is one of the best places in Alaska to view the Northern Lights. Dark skies are needed to see the lights, so visit from September through May when the skies are their darkest.

What are the Chena Hot Springs Resort opening hours?

The Chena Hot Spring Resort’s hours are convenient for travelers, as the hot springs itself is open typically every day from 7am until 11:45pm. Usually, the Fairbank resort’s restaurant is open every day until 10pm, with the resort’s activity center offering slightly reduced hours, from 9am until 9pm.

How much does it cost to visit Chena Hot Springs Resort?

If you don’t have a room booked at the Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska, then you’ll have to pay for your time at the hot springs. A pass for adults is around $20, and seniors 60 and older and children 6 to 17 years old receive discounts for admission.

Are there any accommodation options at Chena Hot Springs Resort?

Yes, there are plenty of accommodation options at the Chena Hot Spring Resort. Bookable overnight options include small rooms, lodge rooms, family suites, cabins, and yurts, as well as camping and RV sites. Prices vary by accommodation choice per night, depending on what you prefer.

What are the activities available at Chena Hot Springs Resort?

There are many activities and things to do at Chena Hot Springs Resort beyond soaking in its hot spring and swimming in its pools. You also can ride horses, take an Alaskan Husky kennel tour or dog training tour, drive all-terrain vehicles, go dog sledding, and view the northern lights.

Can you see the northern lights from Chena Hot Springs Resort?

Yes, Fairbank’s Chena Hot Springs Resort is in a great viewing location for the northern lights, far away from the city lights that can prevent you from seeing the natural phenomenon. Although the Alaskan resort is open year-round, the best time for viewing the northern lights is between August and May.

Is there a restaurant at Chena Hot Springs Resort?

Yes, there’s a restaurant at Chena Hot Springs Resort. It’s called the Chena Hot Springs Restaurant and typically is open every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs on the menu are grown in the resort’s greenhouse.

Ways to explore

In addition to soaking in the hot springs and viewing the remarkable ice carvings in the Aurora Ice Museum, Chena Hot Springs Resort offers a wide variety of activities, including dog sledding, skiing, and snowmobiling in winter and horseback riding, hiking, biking, fishing, and ATV rides in summer. The resort is well-known for its access to the northern lights, so choose a tour—best yet, book a room overnight—that specializes in northern lights viewing for your best chance to see the sky dance.

Accessibility

The hot springs lake (ages 18+) is accessible with assistance, and the main visitor areas, like the lobby and lodge, are accessible.

Age limits

The hot springs lake is adults-only, 18+, but the pool is open to younger visitors.

What to pack

Swimsuit and towel (towel rentals available for a fee), flip-flops or water shoes, winter gear if visiting in cold months, camera, water bottle, personal toiletries

What to wear

Swimsuit for the hot springs; in winter, dress for very cold weather, like an insulated jacket, snow pants, winter boots, hat, and gloves. Even in summer, bring a warm jacket for evenings and late-night aurora viewing.

Not allowed

No diving, running, or alcohol in or around the pools.

Amenities

Full-service resort with restaurant, bar, lodging options, gift shop, ice museum, hot springs, hot tubs (kid-friendly), WiFi, onsite activities, and more

Address 

Chena Hot Springs Resort is located in Alaska’s interior, about 60 miles (96 kilometers) from Fairbanks at the end of Chena Hot Springs Road. If you don’t have your own wheels, your best bet is either a shuttle or a guided tour.

Driving

It’s about a 75-minute drive from Fairbanks. The road is typically maintained, even in winter, but it’s a good idea to have 4WD.

Public transportation

The resort runs a (paid) shuttle year-round. Other than that, multiple tours out of Fairbanks visit the hot springs and include transportation.

Best times to visit

The “best time to visit” depends on what you want to do—and what season you visit. Many visitors come to catch the northern lights, and that means evening visits well past sunset.

Best days to visit

Rather than a certain day of the week, you’re best off staying multiple days, if you can—that will increase your odds of seeing the northern lights.

Best months to visit

Peak aurora season runs from September through March, but the summer months (June–August) mean warmer weather and midnight sun. There’s no bad month to visit—it’s all about the experience you want.

Special events

It’s easy to argue that the northern lights are a special event, but apart from that, check out the resort’s calendar for special festivities around the solstices and equinoxes.