northern lights tour at chena hot springs resort

NORTHERN LIGHTS & CHENA HOT SPRINGS

Quick Details

• Tags Category: Northern Light Tours
• Hour Glass Duration: 10 hours

Coffee Inclusions:

• Pick up/drop off from hotels within the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. If you are staying at an Air BnB, please contact the office on 907 712 4529 (landline) for the closest pick up location.
• Admission and guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum
• Interesting commentary from your professional guide
• Transportation and admission to the Hot Springs.
• Pick ups commence between 4pm and 5pm, times dependent on hotel location within Fairbanks or the North Pole.
• You will be contacted the day before your tour with your pick up time. Please check your voicemail in case you miss our call. We will send you an email if you do not have voicemail.
• The Northern Lights are an act of nature and their presence cannot be guaranteed. We do not refund if they are not visible or the weather is cloudy.
• Children under 18 are not permitted to go into the outdoor rock pool, but may use the indoor pool with adult supervision.

The most comfortable way to see the Aurora in Alaska

Join us on one of our most requested tours to the famous Chena Hot Springs Resort.  After pick up, sit back and relax while being transported the 60 miles (97kms) east to the resort.  Keep your eye out as you might spot fox, beaver, or moose along the way.

Upon arrival, you’ll take a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, constructed of over 1000 tons of ice and snow.  Marvel at magnificent ice-sculptures created by world-renowned ice carvers, sit at the ice bar on a caribou-hide covered bar stool or indulge in an appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass.

You’ll then be shown to our table in the restaurant where we have a standing reservation and you can order dinner or enjoy a hot or cold beverage at the bar.  The restaurant is ‘greenhouse to table’, offering salad, vegetables and herbs grown in their own greenhouse.  The  menu offers a variety of meals that includes Alaska grown produce from the Fairbanks and other regions of Alaska. Please note that the cost of food and beverages is not included in the price of your tour and is optional.

After dinner, head to the hot springs or take a stroll outside and gaze at the night sky. The revitalizing mineral water soothes aching muscles with its warm temperatures of 106 degrees F (41 degrees C) year-round. You can soak under the stars in an outdoor hot tub, or indoors in the heated pool. When ready, either head to the Activity Center or find a perfect spot outside for aurora viewing and witness the green and purple illuminations loop across the night sky. Wait and witness the celestial wonder in the late evening, when viewing opportunities are the highest.  Please note that the visibility of the aurora cannot be guaranteed .

A little after midnight, join your group and be transported back to your hotels in Fairbanks, with further opportunity to view the aurora, if it is out along the way.

Highlights:

• Tour of the Aurora Ice Museum.
• Relax in the healing waters of Chena Hot Springs outdoor rock pool or Hot Tub. (for adults 18+ only).
• Warm up in the Activity Center with a hot beverage while waiting for the Northern Lights.
• We will allow plenty of time for photography to ensure you will not forget this experience

**Please note we require a minimum number of 4 people to operate this tour. If minimum numbers are not met you will be advised and offered either a refund or to be rescheduled.

Lucas is fantastic. Very personable and knowledgeable. I met folks on my solo trip as we went to the ice sculpture museum, to dinner, the hot springs and to see the northern lights. So worth the trip.

What a wonderful experience! Thank you for making a dream come true!!! We had a lot of fun and our Guide was amazing! She did everything she could to give us the Northern lights and she did.

We had an amazing experience with Jane who was a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. She told us a lot about the history of Alaska , the hot springs as well as fun adventures from her own life. She also took us to multiple spots on our drive back to spot the Aurora. Thank you Alaska Wild life and Jane for the fun tour.

Our guide was on time, super friendly, and knowledgeable. He loves his job and it showed. He answered questions and even showed folks some camera setting tricks when the northern lights appeared. The springs were incredibly relaxing. Bucket list item checked off!

We used Alaska Wildlife Guide for our trip to Chena Hot springs and the Ice Museum in January 2024. Even though we didnt get to see the lights, it was an amazing experience. The guides were friendly and knowledgable about Fairbanks and the area, and the Hot Springs were something magical and also funny as everyone's hair freezes at this time of year. Thanks for qn amazing night!

RELATED ACTIVITIES

• Hour Glass 5.5 hours
• Tags Northern Light Tours

Northern Lights & Murphy Dome

This aurora tour takes you to one of the most famous  Northern Lights viewing  spots in Fairbanks. Murphy Dome is located north northwest of town.

• Hour Glass 5 hours

Aurora Lodge Viewing

The long nights of Alaska provide amazing opportunities to view the northern lights .  For this tour, we go to one of the best Aurora Viewing Lodges in the area.

• Order Status
• Juneau Tours
• Mendenhall Glacier Ice Adventure
• Mendenhall Lake Canoe
• Dog Sledding
• Juneau Icefield Helicopter Tour
• Whale Watching & Mendenhall Glacier
• Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding
• Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter Tour
• Musher's Camp
• Whale Watching & Salmon Bake
• Taku Lodge Flight & Feast
• Things to Do in Juneau
• Skagway Tours
• White Pass Railroad
• Bennett Scenic Railroad
• Yukon Discovery
• White Pass Summit & Beyond
• Glacier Helicopter Tour
• Chilkoot Horseback
• Glacier Point Wilderness Safari
• Wildlife Safari & Bear Viewing
• Things to Do in Skagway
• Ketchikan Tours
• Deluxe Misty Fjords National Monument
• Mahoney Falls Extended Tour
• Trolley Tour
• George Inlet Lodge Crab Feast
• Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour
• Things to Do in Ketchikan
• Icy Strait Point Tours
• Whale Watching
• Wildlife & Bear Search
• Stream Fishing
• Things to Do in Icy Strait
• Sitka Tours
• Premium Scenic Tour
• Sitka Sound Kayak Adventure
• Whale Watching Tour
• Things to Do in Sitka
• Things to Do

Fairbanks Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

• Photos / Video
• Things to know
• Reviews (0)

Excursion Overview

Join us on one of the most requested tours in the fairbanks area.

Head over to the world-famous Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you can take a soak in one of their mineral spring water pools. The resort has two relaxing options, an indoor hot tub, and an outdoor soaking pool. The outdoor pool is restricted to adults, but all ages are welcome in the hot tub. Both pools are naturally heated year-round, allowing guests to comfortably wear a bathing suit, even in Interior Alaska's below-freezing temperatures. Chena's location is perfect for Aurora Borealis viewing. The Aurora, otherwise known as the Northern Lights, is a natural light display that can be seen in the skies above the Arctic. While we can't guarantee the presence of the Aurora, this tour runs during the best season to view them in all their glory. This tour also includes a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, which is built from over 1000 tons of ice and snow harvested from the resort. The museum is kept at 25 degrees year-round to keep its magnificent ice sculptures frozen solid (but don't worry, parkas are available for use upon request)! Optionally, guests can enjoy the resort's restaurant, whose menu features locally cultivated vegetables and Alaskan seafood. Please note that the cost of dinner is not included in the tour. Chena Hot Springs is about 60 miles from Fairbanks. This tour includes round-trip scenic transportation from your hotel in Fairbanks or North Pole.

Things You Need to Know

Inclusions:.

• Pick up/drop off from within the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole
• Admission to the Hot Springs
• Entrance to the Aurora Ice Museum

Requirements:

• Bathing suit​
• 50 Cents for the locker (2 quarters)
• Valid photo ID (required if you plan to purchase alcohol)
• If you plan to purchase dinner from the restaurant at the resort, please note this is not included in the tour price.
• Shower slippers for the hot springs (If needed)
• Children under 18 and pregnant people are not allowed in the outside hot springs, but can use the indoor pool
• We cannot guarantee the presence of the Northern Lights and refunds will not be provided if you do not see them.

Duration: 9-10 hours (Roundtrip from Fairbanks area hotel or Airbnb.)

• Transportation to Chena Hot Springs Resort
• Swim and soak
• Aurora viewing
• Aurora Ice Museum
• Optional dining
• Return transportation to local hotel

Meeting Instructions:

• Hotel or Airbnb pick-up from within Fairbanks or North Pole city limits. Fully detailed instructions are included on your finalized ticket vouchers.

ADA Accessibility of Tour:

• This tour is limited mobility accessible. Only folding wheelchairs are allowed due to the size of the van/bus. Please advise us in advance if you have any special requirements in relation to mobility issues.

Refund Policy:

• You may cancel for any reason up to seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund.
• Please see our Refund Policy Page for complete details.

Tours can be canceled for any reason up until seven (7) days prior to the date of the tour for a full refund unless otherwise noted on the individual tour product page in the Things to Know section. To cancel a tour, please use the cancelation request link within your e-ticket that was emailed to you OR send an email to  [email protected] with the following information:

- Order number

- Tour you are canceling

- Number of passengers you wish to cancel

Within 0-7 days before the tour date, cancelations are eligible for a full refund only in the following scenarios:

- The tour is canceled by the tour operator for any reason (for example: bad weather or mechanical issue)

- You experience a medical emergency during this window and can provide documentation (documentation must be submitted within 30 days to receive a refund)

- Your ship changes port itineraries causing you to miss an excursion

All refunds are processed through Alaska Shore Excursions, and will not be processed through any cruise line or local tour provider. Refunds will appear under Alaska Shore Excursions on your bank/credit card statement. Credit card refunds are processed within 10 business days of the request. Exceptions to the refund policy include multi-day packages and some day tours. Please refer to the specific refund policy listed on the individual tour product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Aurora Borealis is a natural phenomenon and we cannot guarantee its presence on your particular date. Refunds will not be provided if you do not get to see the lights. The Aurora is visible in the Fairbanks area an average of 4 out of 5 nights during the viewing season.

Check out other frequently asked questions  here !

Guest Reviews

Best Price Guarantee!

Duration: 9-10 hours

Date Required

Time Required

# of Passengers Required

Adult (18+): $ 220.00

Child (0-17): $ 195.00

Why Alaska Shore Excursions?

• Free Cancellation
• Secure Payments
• On Time Ship Return Guarantee
• Alaska Tour Experts
• Best Price Guarantee
• Chat & Phone Support

Related Tours

Fairbanks Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

$200.00 / Person

Denali Aurora Quest - Northern Lights Tour

$144.00 / Person

• Copyright 2024 Alaska Shore Excursions

Experience True Nature

Wilderness adventure tours beyond imagination, fairbanks northern lights activity tour (nl#06), tour itinerary, dates | rates, options | extensions, northern lights faq.

▶ Northern Lights Viewing in Alaska | Canada – New Moon Dates Overview

Ideal viewing time is approximately from 7 days prior to New Moon and until 7 days after New Moon. While some people may be concerned that a full moon is a problem,  only weak aurora may be obstructed by the light of the moon, but in Alaska the aurora is frequently strong enough that aurora viewing is still possible on a moonlit night.  As far as aurora photography goes, the aurora above a moonlit landscape actually tends to have a pleasing effect.  On the whole, when participating in an aurora tour, one doesn’t need to be worried about the moon.The moon does not influence the aurora activity, the sky is just darker. You can therefore travel any time of the month. 

Aurora Photography: When you do your research for shooting the aurora, you’ll find pluses and minuses for going when a full moon is present.  On the minus side is if the lights that night are somewhat faint, the brightness of the moon’s reflection of the sun can fade them out.  On the other hand, a full moon can be used to illuminate objects in the foreground.  Many aurora shots include buildings with lights on inside to provide an interesting foreground subject.  Depending on your shooting location, this feature might not be available.  However, a full moon will help light up anything you have in front of you, no matter where you are.  Because shots are done for at least six to eight seconds and up to fifteen seconds or more (depending on your shutter and ISO settings), the full moon will do a great job of making what would otherwise be a silhouette into a well-lit subject.  Conversely, if you choose to go when there isn’t a full moon, a strong flash can be helpful in popping light onto a foreground subject.

▶ Aurora Viewing | Prime Viewing Dates

Q: When is the best time of the year to see the Aurora A: In northern regions such as Alaska, the Yukon Territory, Northern British Columbia and the Northwest Territories - the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) are seen from late August to mid April. Furthermore, during the autumn and spring, the weather is rather unstable and has a lower percentage of clear skies. Therefore, we have determined the best viewing seasons to be from mid-August to the end of September and from mid-November to mid-April. In This time of the year offers the best trade off between mild weather and dark skies. During the summer months, night skies are not dark enough to view the Aurora Borealis and in midwinter temperatures in the – 40 degree range make outdoor aurora viewing somewhat unpleasant. In other locations farther from the average aurora oval, the main consideration is the level of geomagnetic activity, which varies rather unpredictably through the year. Q: When is the best time of the day A: Within the most active regions of Alaska and prime viewing areas the Aurora oval typically becomes visible around local midnight. Note: this is an astronomical midnight - which may be an hour or two different from the civil or the “ wall clock “ midnight due to daylight savings time and/or peculiarities in your time zone. Spectacular Aurora displays due to geomagnetic disturbance may be seen at any time when the sky is dark, but they are relatively unpredictable. Under average conditions, observations around local midnight are most likely to yield results. Q: What are the Temperatures in the Northern Regions A: The average daily temperatures in February/March are approximately +20/-30 - equivalent to –8/-33 degrees Celsius.

Q: How to observe the Aurora A: If you follow our recommendations you should be able to enjoy some pleasant Aurora viewing.

• A: Ensure - that you be there when the action begins. Because more often than not, the show picks up very quickly and also fades out as quickly as it started! Most of the auroras are out only about 2 to max 10 minutes at ones.
• A: Be Patient - this is maybe the most important thing in aurora viewing. If the show starts, it's always worth. Seeing a full-blown aurora show is just an indescribable experience.
• A: Experience - this is maybe the second most important (human) factor in aurora viewing. If you are first patient and then successful in seeing auroras, the direct consequence is that you will gain of course - experience. After a while you will begin to recognize what the aurora is doing, in which phase it is and so on. And the most important thing - You will learn how a weak aurora looks like!!! Because, even that we are hoping to see a bright "eruption phase " aurora, the aurora isn't all the time bright. So the experience will help you to see and determine if there is a weak aurora, which could get brighter in the future! I
• A: Light Conditions - the primary reason for not seeing an aurora are any city light obstruction or a bright twilight. Our destinations are far away from a city or other light obstruction and therefore should guarantee the best viewing conditions possible.
• A: Weather - don't think overcast weather prevent you from Aurora viewing. Although often clouds do ruin everything, but at times...you can also get lucky breaks! Another example, during a major aurora storm in 2001 the forecasts and satellite pictures showed that it should be overcast, but it was not. We could see the stars and the aurora through the thin clouds! So, give it a try anyway...it could be worth it!

Q: What causes the Aurora A: Energetic charged particles from the magnetosphere. These particles are electrons and protons that are energized in the near geo-space environment. This energization process draws its energy from the interaction of the Earth's magnetosphere with the solar wind. The magnetosphere is a volume of space that surrounds the Earth. We have this magnetosphere because of Earth's internal magnetic field. This field extends to space until it is balanced by the solar wind.

Q: What is the altitude of the Aurora Borealis A: The bottom edge is typically at 100 km (about 60 miles) altitude. The aurora extends over a very large altitude range. The altitude where the emission comes from depends on the energy of the energetic electrons that make the aurora. The more energy the bigger the punch, and the deeper the electron get into the atmosphere. Very intense aurora from high-energy electrons can be as low as 80 km (50 miles). The top of the visible aurora peters out at about 2-300 km (120-200 miles), sometimes high altitude aurora can be seen as high as 600 km (350 miles). This is about the altitude at which the space shuttle usually flies.

▶ Sun | Solar Wind | Magnetosphere

The solar wind is the outermost atmosphere of our sun. The sun is so hot that it boils off its outer layers, and the result is a constant outward expanding very thin gas. This solar wind consists not of atoms and molecules but of protons and electrons (this is called a plasma). Embedded in this solar wind is the magnetic field of the sun. The density is so low that we may well call it a vacuum. However tenuous it is, when this solar wind encounters a planet, it has to flow around it. When this planet has a magnetic field, the solar wind sees this magnetic field as an obstacle, as protons and electrons cannot move freely across a magnetic field. These charged particles are constrained to move almost always only along the magnetic field. Likewise, when they are forced to move in a specific direction, a magnetic field will move with them or will be bent into the direction of the flow. Whether the magnetic field forces the plasma motion or whether the plasma motion bends the magnetic field depends on the strength of the field and the force of the motion. When the solar wind encounters Earth's magnetic field, it will thus bend the field unless the field gets too strong. The strength of the magnetic field falls off with distance from Earth. The distance at which the solar wind and the magnetic field of the Earth balance each other is about 60,000 km away, or 1/10 of the distance to the moon. The inside of this volume that is bounded by the solar wind is called the magnetosphere. At the interface of the solar wind and the magnetosphere, energy can be transferred into the magnetosphere by a number of processes. Most effective is a process called reconnection. When the magnetic field in the solar wind and the magnetic field of the magnetosphere are anti-parallel, the fields can melt together, and the solar wind can drag the magnetospheres field and plasma along. This is very efficient in energizing magnetospheres plasma. Eventually, the magnetosphere responds by dumping electrons and protons into the high latitude upper atmosphere where the energy of the plasma can be dissipated. This then results in aurora. Here is an animation (1.6Mb) that illustrates this process.

▶ Alaska and Canada Northern Lights Viewing | Photo Support

Q: How do I take the best pictures A: For the first -time or for seasoned aurora photographer, a 35 mm camera on a tripod equipped with a cable release is a must. Use a wide-angle 24 mm to 50 mm lens and set it to an f-stop which is the fastest – or one slower to avoid distortion of bright star images – usually f/1.4 – f/2.8.

• Exposures of 5 to 15 seconds work well unless the aurora is faint or mostly stationary, in which case the exposure time should be doubled. People tend to overexpose their photos, causing the aurora to look washed out. If the aurora is bright, moonlight and city lights should not interfere and can offer an interesting foreground. Never use filters because they could cause internal reflections. If it is very dark, a silhouette of a tree of lit cabin will certainly add to the scene. Video cameras are normally not sensitive enough to successfully record the aurora.
• Because aurora occurs under clear skies , photographers will often be shooting in temperatures well below zero. Since cold saps camera batteries, it is advisable to use an older camera with mechanical shutter instead of one that is fully automatic. Cold makes plastic brittle, so the cable release should be wired mesh vice plastic. At minus 40 Fahrenheit, all cameras will freeze in less than 10 minutes; before taking it inside to warm, place it in a zip-lock plastic bag to reduce condensation.
• Tape the lens to infinity so that it doesn’t slip and cause your images to be out of focus. Don’t try for a 37th exposure; it might break the film, and it is best to overexpose your first frame on the roll so that the film processor knows where to start cutting your negatives. Wind your finished roll of film slowly so that it doesn’t shatter or cause static buildup – this may appear as scratch. While Kodak film processing mailers are generally reliable, it may be worth the extra cost to have the film processed through a custom photo lab. Going the custom lab route will save the film from being lost in the mail or scratched in an automated process.
• Slower speed film (print or slide) has better gain resolution ; making for a sharper image when enlarged. Thus it may be too slow to record the fine detail structure of the aurora.
• Medium-speed color film (200 /400 ASA) works as well. Purists insist on slide film. You can try a faster film, but keep in mind that graininess and color quality tend to decrease with increasing film speed. We recommend using 400-speed film is a good compromise between detail and quality of the image.
• Different films will emphasize different colors of the aurora, so experimentation is advisable. Bracketing your exposures (05 seconds, 10 seconds and 15 seconds) will give you the characteristics of the film. Even in a roll of 36 exposures, there are only a few shots that are acceptable to me.

Q: Can I videotape the Aurora A: Videotaping the aurora generally takes highly specialized video equipment. Generally – camcorders are not sensitive enough to see the aurora, though a few will record a faint, smoky image given a sufficiently bright aurora. Your best bet for video showing the color and motion of the aurora is to purchase a professionally – recorded tape such as one distributed form the Geophysical Institute in Fairbanks. Thus, some home video cameras are capable of picking up bright auroras. In particular, a camera rated at for example: less than one-lux sensitivity has captured – faintly and colorlessly a bright auroral arc. Many cameras which have special features such as digital zoom and / or vibration compensation are much less sensitive and will not show the aurora. The most annoying problem with home video cameras in low-light situations is their inability to focus. If your camera has a focus-lock button, you may be able to focus on a distant, brightly-lit object, and lock the focus then see if you can pick up the moon or perhaps catch a hint of an extremely bright aurora. Just don’t expect much, because home video cameras aren’t designed to do low-light recording.

Q: Do you have any Aurora Photography Tips A: When you do your research for shooting the aurora, you’ll find pluses and minuses for going when a full moon is present.  On the minus side is if the lights that night are somewhat faint, the brightness of the moon’s reflection of the sun can fade them out.  On the other hand, a full moon can be used to illuminate objects in the foreground.  Many aurora shots include buildings with lights on inside to provide an interesting foreground subject.  Depending on your shooting location, this feature might not be available.  However, a full moon will help light up anything you have in front of you, no matter where you are.  Because shots are done for at least six to eight seconds and up to fifteen seconds or more (depending on your shutter and ISO settings), the full moon will do a great job of making what would otherwise be a silhouette into a well-lit subject.  Conversely, if you choose to go when there isn’t a full moon, a strong flash can be helpful in popping light onto a foreground subject.

▶ More about Northern Lights Tour Packages

Q: Flights to Alaska A: Alaska -, Continental -, United -, Delta Airlines and US Airways are providing multiple flight connections daily to Anchorage and Fairbanks from the lower 48's. For current rates please refer to: >> Alaska Airlines or other airlines and any ticket reservation systems of your choice. Sorry, but we do not provide a reservation service for airlines tickets. Accordingly our advertised tour rates do not include any flights to/from Alaska.

Q: Recommended Clothing A: We recommend fleece or heavy wool sweaters, down jackets or similar cold weather gear with attached hood, gloves, sun glasses, swimsuit, wool shirts, cotton or thermal underwear, mittens, sturdy winter boots, lip balsam, moisturizing cream. Winter gear and clothing may be rented at your local outdoor stores or at REI - Recreational Equipment INC - in Anchorage (please contact the stores directly) 

Q: Meals A: Meals are not included in our tours (except as otherwise stated within each "Tour Included" section) The cities of Fairbanks and Anchorage are providing a large number of restaurants in all categories. Our lodges and resorts are providing a dining room or a full service restaurant with a extended food and drink selection.

Q: Sightseeing Tours A: Sightseeing tours are not included in our tour packages (except as otherwise stated within each "Tour Included" section) Thus, we do offer a variety of optional tours. Please contact us or simply check our websites.

Q: How far in advance should I make a Reservation A: This is hard to predict but if you travel during: (1) New Moon Dates (2) Public Holidays (3) Long Weekends (4) Alaska Events etc. tours are most likely sold out and it will be virtually impossible to materialize a last minute request. Accordingly it is highly advisable to book as early as possible.

Go Alaska Tours | Secured Reservation Request Form

A secure transmission of your personal information is very important for the Alaska Travel Network Group LLC at these days and that's why we have taken steps to ensure that we have the most secure method of transmission on the Internet available. All online reservation request and contact forms are providing a SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technology with a 128-bit encryption for transmission of data between your web browser and our web server which provides the highest level of protection from tampering and eavesdropping. 128-bit encryption is considered so secure that cryptographers consider it impossible to crack. There is no safer way for your personal information to be transmitted. In fact, both the Canadian and US Governments use 128-bit encryption for transmission of their sensitive data. The Go Alaska Tours Website (www.goalaskatours.com) uses GeoTrust for its SSL and 128-bit encryption.

• Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

Soak up the Alaska winter experience.

• Things to Do in Fairbanks

More Details

Rates & dates, departure times, availability.

Add to My Trip

Staying cozy is key to enjoying Alaskan in its colder seasons, and this tour ensures you will thanks to a long evening soak at the Chena Hot Springs. The tour begins with a two-hour drive from Fairbanks. There are gorgeous fall colors to see along the way in August and September, and a serene snowscape in February and March. In both seasons it's quite common to spot moose, too.

The setting has a magical feel.

Upon arrival at Chena you'll be treated to a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum before heading to the resort's hot springs. There's a geothermal indoor pool, but it's worth braving the chill for a soak in the resort's Rock Lake. Shimmering frost makes the air sparkle, and natural ice formation give the setting a magical feel.

Thoroughly warmed, the rest of the night is dedicated to northern lights hunting. The Chena Hot Springs area has an ideal combination of dark skies and higher northern latitude that offers you the best opportunity to see the aurora if it is active. The tour ends with a return to Fairbanks area hotels around 4 AM.

The Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour takes guests 60 miles outside of Fairbanks. During the 11-hour tour guests take a guided ice museum tour and enjoy plenty of free time to soak, swim, and await the northern lights. Food and beverages are available to purchase from the onsite restaurant. Meals are not included in the tour price.

What to Bring

Bring swimwear, sandals, and a towel. Bring cash (or quarters) to make change for lockers at the springs and towel service if needed. For potential northern lights viewing, bring warm layers, a hat, and gloves as needed for the conditions. Extra camera batteries are highly recommended.

Special Instructions

The outdoor hot springs is limited to adults ages 18 and above. Guests under 17 are allowed in the outdoor deck hot tub and indoor pool with adult supervision. The outdoor hot spring pool averages 106 degrees.

Transfers & Meeting Points

The tour operator picks up from most Fairbanks area hotels.

Here are the rates and operating dates for this product. Remember, we have a lowest price guarantee for nearly everything we sell.

Departure times and locations are listed below. Click on a link for an interactive map.

SHOW MAP >

Select a departure below to see current availability. If your desired date is sold out (red) we will do our best to find an alternative, but we may not be able to accommodate your request.

Book Now >

Quick Facts

• Duration 11 Hours
• Departs 4:30 PM
• Operating Dates From 2/1/2024 to 9/30/2024
• Activity Level Active

What's Included

• Admission to ice museum and hot springs.
• Prime northern lights viewing location.
• Roundtrip transportation from Fairbanks.
• Tour narration by driver/guide.

Photo Gallery

Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs

• Hot Springs Pass
• Coffee and/or Tea
• Ice Museume Fee $20.00 per person
• We can pick you up from your Hotel or Accommodation. Pick up time is 7 pm.
• Fairbanks Intl Airport, 6450 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Infants must sit on laps
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
• All sales are final and incur 100% cancellation penalties.

Similar experiences

• You'll get picked up See departure details
• 1 Chena Hot Springs Stop: 4 hours We will pick you up from your chosen location. The trip to Chena Hot Springs Resort takes about 1 hour and 20 min. Upon drop off the guide will set a location where you will be picked up and you will have 4 hours to enjoy the natural hot springs. Please, be aware that there is no cell service at the resort, so you need to be at the pick up spot at the time, set by the driver (we have a courtesy waiting time of 25 min). Note: The remaining time is for the round tour and time spent sightseeing or explorations. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

• Mango L 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great experience!!! The trip was excellent! Professional and helpful tour guide. Hike is about longer than a mile to the castner glacier and the trail is easy and safe. The Castner Glacier is a beautiful spot and great attraction, it’s worth the time to visit it. Read more Written January 13, 2024
• 51saik 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great tour!! Great tour!! Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. And inspite of cloudy conditions we managed to see the Northern lights!! Read more Written April 4, 2023
• pba57100 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A scenic drive to discover one Alaska’s gem! A beautiful 2h30 scenic drive from Fairbanks, you park your car on the right after a bridge. On this side, you can see the pipeline. To get to the glacier, you have to cross the road and enter the trail just before the bridge. A 20-30 minutes walk and you reach the glacier. Massive ark made of ice and rocks, you can’t be disappointed. It’s impressive! Worth the trip! Read more Written April 2, 2023
• saikZ6792PL 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome We had a great time!!! Our guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and patient. We literally hunted the aurora out of the cloudy sky!! Got lucky!! Would definitely recommend this trip!! :) Read more Written April 1, 2023
• Holly L 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles A natural wonder Had an amazing time hiking to the cave. We were able to inside the cave and see the running river underneath. It was extremely windy. Bundle up Read more Written April 1, 2023
• nxsf 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Picked up other people on a private tour While we booked a private tour for our group, the driver picked up other people without notifying us in advance. It took a longer time on the way than it was supposed to be, and we also ended up fitting 6 people in a 5-passenger car (with 1 added seat in the front row). It was a very uncomfortable car ride. According to the staff at the entrance of the hot spring, all tour guides should bring their guests to the entrance. Our tour guide didn't and caused us to have an unsmooth check-in process. Read more Written March 19, 2023
• 789cindyh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles VIP tour treats you like VIP Glacier cave tour with Antonio from VIP tours. He brought all the gear. You’re his only clients on the trip. It was an excursion of a lifetime. His patience with me walking in the snow, truly made me feel at ease. Best guide & even stopped when we saw Moose. He also made a pit stop at Santa village in the North Pole to see reindeer. Highly recommended, no need for any other guides in Fairbanks: he offers Chena Hot springs tour and Aurora viewing. Read more Written March 7, 2023
• 789cindyh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles VIP tours treats you like VIP Antonio is friendly and knowledgeable, all around great family guy! Your party is his only clients on tour. His ride is clean and he’s a very safe driver. He will stop when spotting a moose for pictures. He waits at the place so you can leave anytime. We also booked him for the glacier tour- he provided all needed supplies, went above and beyond. Highly recommend Antonio for the best Fairbanks guide. He also provides: glacier cave tour & aurora viewing tour. Read more Written March 7, 2023
• yuanleih2022 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles The best tour with the best view. It’s been amazing tour. The views stunning in every second and ice cave is so prett. it’s my favorite trip so far and totally worth it. Don’t miss the ice cave. Also, don’t go out there by yourself because it’s dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Our tour guide Antonio it’s super chill and relaxing. I really had a lot of fun and I really enjoy this trip. Highly recommend it. Read more Written February 5, 2023
• chaktingt 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Unhappy Antonio seemed very helpful when we were inquiring about his tours so we went ahead with a booking. But 10 days after we booked him, our tour got cancelled without any explanation. He would not reply to our questions. Then we noticed his pricing became substantially higher. We had to rearrange our whole trip due to this non-responsive cancellation. A trip that we were looking forward to now became something we’re very anxious about. Read more Written January 28, 2023
• O8611AIlaurenk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Do it! really great! The auroras were out early so he offered to pick us up early to go see them. We were at the airport having just landed and he actually picked us up from there and then took us to the Airbnb at the end. We were so lucky to see the lights and he offered to take pics and kept the van nice and warm for us to go in and out. Would recommend:) Read more Written December 14, 2022
• 845stilianan 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Top notch experience Fantastic experience with Mr. Antonio. I've learned so much about the Aurora Lights phenomenon. He definitely is a very knowledgeable young gentleman. Besides all that, he brought us a hot tea and nice cookies. His vehicle is well maintained, very clean and warm inside :). He is a very safe driver as well. Read more Written November 28, 2022
• paulmot 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Warmhearted guide The night during our tour was quite cloudy so we just saw a little bit northern lights. However, Antonio is every experienced guide. Besides being professional, he is also warmhearted. He helped haul a car out of snow, and also helped another car jumpstart during our tour. Highly recommend him. Read more Written November 27, 2022
• MarlonSevillaJr 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Vvip experience to this VIP aurora tour This aurora chasing tour was awesome! We saw the northern lights with the help of our driver/tour guide who knew a lot about fairbanks and the aurora. We felt VVIP and safe all the time considering this is cheaper compared to other tour operators. Will def book this again if in Fairbanks and def recommend this to other aurora seekers! Good luck! Antonio (guide) had prepared hot tea for us, set up a mini lounge with portable heaters while watching the northers ligths. If it got too cold for you, you could go inside the SUV (heater is ON) while watching the lights. Bonus: we ended up around 330am, he did a Mc Donalds drive thru for us. We used a big 4x4 Silverado vehicle. Guide was using an app where we can easily see the northern lights. Read more Written November 11, 2022
• SanjayS319 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Chasing the lights. It was a night with clouds. The guide was fantastic. He picked up cookies and coffee for the experience. Smooth and safe driving. Unfortunately did not see the lights but sighted baby moose. We did the hot springs tour with the same guide and it was fantastic. Read more Written July 31, 2022

More to explore in Fairbanks

Buy it with

Northern Lights at Chena Hot Springs provided by Vip Northern Lights Tours

Tours & Sightseeing Trips in Fairbanks, Denali & the Arctic Circle.

Touren & sightseeing in fairbanks, zum denali park & polarkreis ., chena hot springs northern lights.

DESCRIPTION

Cancellation & refund policy.

Relax in the famous Chena Hot Springs and view Northern Lights.

Our Chena Hot Springs / Northern Lights Alaska Tours begin right at your Fairbanks hotel, so you don’t need to plan how to get to us and you will save additional taxi costs.

Free guest pickup from 4:15pm to 5pm.

Only 60 miles from Fairbanks, this world renowned resort offers a day of rest and relaxation in the historical location discovered by natives and early miners.

Enjoy the mineral hot springs in a beautiful natural setting and experience the dancing of the northern lights.

The world’s largest year-round ice museum is your first stop at Chena Resort.

Created from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow the ice museum contains spectacular ice carvings for your enjoyment.

Along the way we almost always spot moose.

Food and beverages are available at the local restaurant.

Please bring swimsuit, flip-flops, and towel.

* ATTENTION * Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon and can not be guaranteed. There is NO refund if the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights can not be seen.

* Photos of snow rock lake and ice museum courtesy of Chena Hot Springs Resort.

5:00pm     Departure from Fairbanks

6:45pm     Arrival Chena Resort

7:00pm    Guided Ice Museum (NOT included due to remodeling process)

8:00pm   Soak in hot springs rock lake (must be 18 or older) or indoor pool

12:00am  Waiting for Northern Lights

2:00am    Leaving Chena Hot Springs

4:00am    Arrival back in Fairbanks

• Cancellations 30 days prior to the tour date are subject to a 5% banking charge.
• Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable.

We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect yourself in the event of a medical emergency or flight delay/cancellation. 1st Alaska Tours is NOT refunding inside the 30-day cancellation policy.

Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights is a natural phenomenon and can not be guaranteed. There is NO refund if the Aurora Borealis/Northern Lights can not be seen. 

IMPORTANT : A minimum of 2 people is required for online booking. Single travelers and short notice reservations (within 7 days of tour date) always have to contact us for availability at [email protected] or 907-590-5900.

Tour Details-旅行細節

location/Lage/接送地點: Pick up from Fairbanks

Start Time/Startzeit/開始: 5pm

Finish Time/Rückkehr zum Hotel/結束: 4am

price/Preis/售價: $205

QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT US - Fragen? Sprechen Sie uns an.

popular tours

Chena Day Tour (May 15~Aug. 20)

Arctic Circle Northern Lights

Aurora Viewing Lodge

• Blog | Info Center | Contact Us

• SDAN01 Peaks Of Denali Road Trip
• SDAN02 - Alaska Discovery Holiday, One Way to Fairbanks
• SDAN03 The Nature of Alaska Holiday
• SDAN04 Best of Kenai Fjords & Denali Road Trip
• SDAN05 Explore Kenai Peninsula Road Trip
• SDAN06 - Alaska’s Glaciers and National Parks Holiday
• SDAN07 Alaska’s Bears, Whales & Glaciers - Driving Tour
• SDAN08 Best of Alaska Round Trip Driving Tour
• SDAN09 Highlights of Denali & Glacier Bay
• SDAN10 Alaska’s Nature Escape Driving Tour
• SDAN11 Goldrush Trail - One Way Driving Tour to Haines
• SDAN12 Gems of Alaska - One Way Tour to Juneau
• SDAN13 The Great Alaska Explorer Self Drive Tour
• SDAN14 Golden Circle Alaska & Yukon Road Trip
• SDAN15 The Great Alaskan North Road Trip
• SDFA01 Arctic Circle Adventure Tour
• SDFA02 Explore Denali - Fairbanks Road Trip
• SDFA03 Alaska's Glaciers & Mountains Road Trip
• SDFA04 Alaska by Land and Sea - Road Trip
• SDFA05 Mountains to Coast Road Trip
• SDSK01 Self Drive Tour 01 from Skagway
• SDSK02 Enchanting Alaska - Self Driving Tour
• SDHA01 Heritage Trails of Alaska - Self Drive Tour
• SDHA02 Alaska Taster Holiday – Road Trip
• SDJU01 Juneau – Bears, Whales & Glaciers
• SDJU02 Alaska’s Coastline – One Way to Anchorage Road Trip
• SDWH01 Yukon Golden Circle – Road Trip
• SDWH02 Scenic Splendour of Yukon & Alaska – Road Trip
• SDWH03 The Great Outdoors – Road Trip
• SDWT01 Denali Discovery – Road Trip
• SDWT02 Alaska's Natural Wonders – Driving Tour
• SDWT03 Trails of Alaska – Driving Holiday

• RAAN01 Denali by Rail – Alaska Railroad Trip
• RAAN02 Highlights of Denali & Talkeetna by Rail – Alaska Railroad Trip
• RAAN03 Alaska's Treasures by Rail – Alaska Railroad Trip
• RAAN04 Alaska Adventures by Rail – Alaska Railroad Tour
• RAAN05 Alaska's Mountains and Coast by Rail – Alaska Railroad Tour
• RAAN06 Alaska Wild Holiday by Rail – Alaska Railroad Tour
• RAFA01 Best of Denali by Rail
• RAFA02 Journey beyond Nature – Alaska Railroad Trip
• RAFA03 Alaska Arctic Region by Rail
• RAFA04 Across Alaska by Rail
• RSFA03 Stunning Alaska
• RASE01 Denali Express by Rail
• RASE02 Explore Alaska by Rail
• RASE03 Coast to Arctic Circle Holiday by Rail
• RAWH01 Majestic Denali by Rail
• RAWH02 Alaska Discovery by Rail
• RAWH03 Alaska ’ s Midnight Sun by Rail

• RSAN01 Alaskan Nature Escape
• RSAN02 Alaska Trailblazer
• RSAN03 Great National Parks of Alaska
• RSAN04 Alaska Pioneer Rail & Driving Tour
• RSAN05 Marvelous Alaska Road & Rail Holiday
• RSAN06 Alaska Grandeurs Rail & Road Vacation
• RSAN07 Alaska Mountains & National Parks Rail & Driving Tour
• RSAN08 Alaska Panoramic Drives
• RSFA01 Alaska ‘ s Summer & Autumn Colours
• RSFA02 Best of the North Rail & Drive Vacation
• RSFA04 Alaska by Land and Sea
• RSHA01 Alaska Panoramas Road & Rail Vacation
• RSHA02 Alaskan Explorer Self Drive/Rail Combo Tour
• RSJU01 Best of Alaska Holiday
• RSJU02 Alaska Wilderness Spirit Holiday
• RSSK01 Alaska Dream Tour
• RSSK02 Northern Peaks
• RSSE01 Alaska At A Glance - Road & Rail Vacation
• RSSE02 - Classic Alaska Road & Rail Trip
• RSWH01 Highlights of Kenai Fjords & Denali
• RSWH02 Mountain High – Alaska Rail & Road Trip
• RSWH03 Alaska’s Journey Beyond Nature
• RMAN01 Anchorage and Beyond
• RMAN02 Alaskan Wonders
• RMAN03 Alaska ’ s Glaciers & Grizzlies
• RMAN04 Trails of Alaska Holidays
• RMAN05 Ultimate Adventure Alaska
• RMFA03 Alaskan Highlights
• RMFA02 Alaska Wilderness Spirit Holiday
• RMFA01 Denali Mountain Trail
• RMSE03 Explore Denali
• RMSE01 Denali Taster
• RMSE02 Fantastic Alaska
• RMSE04 Alaska ’ s Arctic Exploration
• RMWH 01 A Taste of Denali
• RMWH02 Best of Denali – Coach and Rail Tour
• RMWH 03 Gems of Alaska
• RMWH04 Alaska ’ s Coast to Mountains
• RMWH05 Alaskan Heritage

• GRAN02 Amazing Alaska – Semi-Guided Tour
• GRAN01 Exploring Alaska – Guided Motorcoach Tour
• Custom Group Tours
• CHT01 Native Heritage Center Tour from Anchorage
• CHT02 Arctic Circle Flightseeing Tour to Fort Yukon & the Yukon River
• CHT03 Barrow (Utqiaġvik) Day Tour from Fairbanks
• BVAN01 Katmai – Brooks Falls Bear Viewing Day Tour
• BVAN02 Silver Salmon Lake Clark - Bear Viewing Day Tour
• BVHO01 Katmai – Brooks Falls Bear Viewing Day Tour
• BVHO02 Katmai Coast | Lake Clark - Bear Viewing Day Tour
• BVJU01 Admiralty Island – Pack Creek Bear Viewing Day Tour
• NPL01 Kantishna Roadhouse – Denali National Park
• NPL02 Glacier Bay Lodge – Glacier Bay National Park
• NPL03 Camp Denali – Denali National Park
• NPL04 Denali Backcountry Lodge – Denali National Park
• NPL05 Kenai Fjords Glacier Lodge
• NPL06 Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge on Fox Island

• Copper Center
• NLFT01 Fairbanks Northern Lights Viewing Tour
• NLFT02 Fairbanks & Arctic Circle Northern Lights Viewing Tour
• NLFT03 Chena Northern Lights Viewing Tour
• NLFT04 Arctic Circle Aurora Viewing Tour
• NLFT05 Bettles Lodge Aurora Viewing Tour
• NLFT06 Bettles Lodge & Chena Aurora Viewing Tour
• NLFT07 Arctic Circle & Chena Aurora Viewing Tour
• NLRA01 Fairbanks Northern Lights Adventure - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRA02 Fairbanks & Arctic Circle - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRA03 Chena Aurora Magic - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRA04 Arctic Circle Aurora Trip - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRA05 Highlights of Bettles Lodge - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRA06 Best of Northern Lights - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRA07 Arctic Circle Explorer - Alaska Railroad from Anchorage
• NLRF01 Fairbanks Aurora Explorer - Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks
• NLRF02 Magic Alaska in Winter - Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks
• NLRF03 Chena Winter Holidays - Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks
• NLRF04 Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure - Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks
• NLRF05 Alaska Northern Lights Safari - Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks
• NLRF06 Alaska in a Nutshell Tour - Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks
• IDIA01 Iditarod Sled Dog Race Tour Start
• IDIA02 Iditarod Race Checkpoints Tour
• IDIA03 Iditarod & Fairbanks Aurora Viewing
• IDIA04 Iditarod & Alaska Winter Adventure
• IDIA05 Iditarod & Chena Aurora Viewing
• WINA02 Alaska Fall & Aurora Borealis
• WINA01 Alaska's Winter Drive
• Anchorage Activities
• Fairbanks Activities
• Chena Activities

Road Trips A - H

• From Anchorage
• From Fairbanks
• From Skagway
• From Haines

Road Trips J - W

• From Juneau
• From Whitehorse
• From Whittier

Railroad Tours

Alaska railroad all.

• From Seward

Rail Combo Tours

Railroad & self drive combo, rail combo tours s-w, railroad & motorcoach combo tours, speciality tours, speciality tours list one.

• Escorted Group Tours
• Culture & Heritage Tours

Speciality Tours List Two

• Bear Viewing Lodges
• National Park Lodges

Activities A - G

Activities g - k, activities s - w.

• Winter Tours
• Northern Lights Tours
• Northern Lights Railroad Tours
• Iditarod Tours
• Winter Self Drive Tours

Winter Activities

• You are here:  

NLFT07 Arctic Circle & Chena Hot Springs Aurora Viewing Tour

• end: Fairbanks
• map/image selection: Map
• Code: NLFT07

Embark on one of the greatest northern lights journey of your life as you visit two popular aurora destinations in Alaska - Coldfoot, located above the Arctic Circle and Chena Hot Springs Resort. Join our Arctic Circle tour and experience the famous northern arctic region above the Arctic Circle. We follow the Dalton Highway , which has also become known to us through the "Ice Road Trucker" series, in the direction of the Arctic Circle. During the trip your guide will introduce you to the history of Alaska and the peculiarities of life in Alaska. Enjoy the impressive landscape of Central Alaska, such as the Yukon River, Finger Mountain or the Trans Alaska Pipeline and look out for moose, lynx and foxes that are at home here. Your guided tour includes the overnight in Coldfoot. The hotel is rustic by urban standards, the hotel is clean and each room has a private bath, a luxury in the wilderness.  At night admire the natural spectacle of the aurora borealis with its colourful shining veils. Afterwards we take you to Chena Hot Springs Resort, the most developed year round hot springs resort in Alaska. At night you can relax in the soothing outdoor mineral pools and watch the northern lights in a quiet atmosphere - an unforgettable experience. Hot springs right at your resort, authentic log cabins and the largest ice museum in the world will also delight you. Optional winter activities and warm hospitality will make your stay a very special experience. Whether you are looking for a relaxing break or searching for a bit of adventure, you will enjoy the charm and beauty of Chena.

Booking Request Inquire A Trip

Prices & Dates

Attractions & add-ons, accommodation, information, rates in us $ / per person, what’s included.

4 Nights Superior or First Class Accommodation

2 Night Basic Hotel in Coldfoot

All Local Taxes

Deluxe Continental Breakfast in Fairbanks (First Class only)

Fairbanks Airport & Hotel Transfers

Escorted Van Transportation Fairbanks - Coldfoot

Full Day Brooks Range Sightseeing Tour

Brooks Range: Northern Lights Viewing Tour including Hot Beverages

Flight Coldfoot – Fairbanks

Round Trip Transfer to Chena Hot Springs Resort

Chena: Aurora Snow Coach Tour

Tour Documentation

Sightseeing Information

Tour Departures

Daily  from  August  21 –  April  21

Customizing Tours

All of our tours are flexible and you can add, modify or exchange nights in destinations to suit your timetable and preferred routing. Thus, sometimes it will be necessary to observe ferry schedules, national park opening/closing dates etc. to match certain dates and/or departures. Please check also each itinerary online.

Included Services

Please refer to the appropriate tour page for a listing of included services. Our service generally includes the rental car, accommodation, applicable local taxes, ferry trips as scheduled, sightseeing as per itinerary, a detailed tour description, highway or road logs. Not included are: Meals, tunnel tolls, gasoline, entrance fees, additional sightseeing tours. The rental of a compact car (automatic) is always included in our flexible self drive tour packages. Additional rental days or upgrade to a Mid and Full Size Car, Mini Van or Sport Utility Vehicles (4x4) are available. The displayed upgrade rental rates are always per car (not per person) - and of course for the total length of the tour package. Our advertised rates include all local taxes, licensing fee, airport fee, road tax and unlimited mileage. Rental Car insurance is not included as most US guests can use their own private insurance. A valid driver license and a valid major credit card are mandatory for all individual vehicle rentals and/or tour packages including vehicle rentals. Driving on gravel roads/highways is at own risk. The rental car insurance is void on the following highways Denali Highway, Dalton Highway, Top of the World Highway, Taylor Highway, McCarthy Road, Dempster Highway and all other gravel roads. You will be responsible for any damages. Drivers have to be more than 25 years of age. Contact us if you are below 25 years of age.

Advance Reservation

If you travel during the high season from the middle/end of June until the end of August we recommend booking as early as possible to avoid disappointments with sold out situations in highly frequented national parks and gateways - because the northern tour season is very short. The same applies in/around national holidays. Any hotel accommodation, rentals cars and ferry space must be definitely booked well in advance. Thus, tour operator such as our company may still have space on a short notice. Accordingly it is well worth to contact us.

Travel Month

The last two weeks of May, June and September are perfect months for a vacation in the Land of the Midnight Sun. The weather is usually stable and sunny with almost 24 hours of daylight. July and August are prime travel months and are obviously very busy.

Emergency Assistance

You can contact us in case of an emergency. We have a dedicated 24/7 helpline available for our guests.

Available Room Occupancy / Bed Configuration

Single: A room assigned to one person. Room with one bed (double, queen, king size)

Double: A room assigned to two people. Room with two double/queen beds or a king size bed.

Triple: A room assigned to three people. Room with two double/queen beds

Quad: A room assigned to four people. Room with two double/queen beds The maximum occupancy per room is four. Please request if you require a roll-a-way bed.

We can arrange our self drive tours including 2 rooms and 1 rental car if your group is larger than 4.

Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Option

We can substitute the overnight in a hotel with the overnight in a Bed and Breakfast. In this case breakfast is included. The rate of the first class / comfort hotel class will remain the same. We can only exchange some of the hotels since B&B’s are not available in all locations.

Northern Lights Observation

Because of the long daylight hours it is uncommon to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) displays from mid May until mid August. The Aurora occurs mainly during the fall / winter months from September – April. Please refer also to our winter touring program.

VISA / Identification

The Visa/entry requirements do change frequently. Please check requirements on the appropriate government pages. We are unable to take any responsibility for such information however you will definitely need your passport to cross the US/Canadian Border. Please ask us if your self drive tour enters Canada.

Travel Insurance

We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance to cover: cancellation fees associated with an outing as well as airfare or other nonrefundable expense in the event you need to cancel a trip; medical expenses incurred on a trip; and the cost of a possible medical evacuation from a trip, canceled flights due to weather. We have made arrangements with our trusted travel insurance provider for you to purchase a comprehensive travel insurance plan. Please contact us for details

Jenni & Bill: I just wanted to say how much we LOVED our time in Alaska. The trip far exceeded expectations. I notice there is a place on your website for reviews. Not sure how to do that, but I would love to post something. I also post trip reports on Fodors.com and plan to sing your praises. Everything worked so smoothly from day one. The staff at all of the hotels and through all of the tour companies (especially the tour to Coldfoot) could not have been better. Of course it was also nice of you to ensure good weather and great Auroras *;) winking! Seeing the Aurora was a dream of my husband's since he was a little boy. But beyond the aurora viewing, the trip really gave us a sense of what life is like in northern Alaska. Thanks SO much for everything.

The Complete Guide to Chena Hot Springs in the Winter and My Honest Review

I just returned from a 2-day winter trip to Chena Hot Springs to see the Northern Lights. We really lucked out and saw a great display of lights while we were there. To say it was incredible is simply an understatement.

We booked our entire stay right at Chena Hot Springs Resort. I learned a lot and will go over all of the details (including whether I’d stay there again).

This article is not sponsored and I paid for the trip on my own. All information is from my personal experience during my winter stay.

For a comprehensive winter guide to visiting Alaska, you can read it here .

About Chena Hot Springs

Chena Hot Springs is the most accessible hot spring in Alaska. It also has the added perk of being a resort. There’s a restaurant, a small bar area, a pool house, many hot tubs, cabins & rooms, an ice museum, dog kennels, and many different tours.

The tours include dog sledding, kennel tours with the sled dogs, northern lights tours, ice museum tours, ice fishing, sunset tour, and snowmobiling (locals call it snowmachining).

There are rooms, cabins, and large family rooms that span many buildings. The basic hotel rooms run about $250-300 per night, and the dry cabins are around $240-300 per night. Many cabins can hold up to 8 people, just keep in mind that a dry cabin means there’s no running water (showers are available at the pool house and there are outhouses at each cabin).

The family suites can hold up to 6 people and include a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker.

Hot springs passes are included with your stay and are open from 7:00am – 11:45pm.

There’s also an Aurora Ice Museum which can only be viewed with a guided tour. Be sure to book your tickets ahead of time to secure a spot.

Getting There

Chena Hot Springs is 66 miles away but due to the icy/snowy roads, it takes a solid 90 minutes to get there.

When we went, most of the drive consisted of incredibly icy roads with no gravel. It was clear, glare ice and we fish-tailed a few times on the drive out and back.

We paid for the resort shuttle because I didn’t want to deal with renting a car or driving on the roads myself. Since this was only a two-day trip, I also wanted something easy and seamless. I prefer to only drive icy roads if I have studded tires and all-wheel drive, and one of those rentals would have cost much more.

If you’re not comfortable driving on icy, snowy, wintery roads, I’d highly recommend the shuttle service.

The other option is to rent a vehicle and drive there yourself. Be sure to compare the rates of the rental car to the shuttle as rental cars can be quite expensive.

See Also: An Epic 10-Day Alaska Winter Itinerary

Know Before You Go

Chena Hot Springs is in the middle of nowhere, which is great for viewing the Northern Lights. This also means there aren’t any amenities nearby. And since it’s a 90-minute drive, it’s not likely that you’ll want to go back into town to grab things you forgot.

There is a small store at the resort which has some sandwiches, chips, snacks, bottled beverages, and some frozen meals. There weren’t too many healthy options, and unfortunately, there wasn’t any fruit for sale.

Hot springs are full of sulfur, and all of the water at the resort tasted like it. If you’ve never had sulfur water, it has an eggy smell and taste (and sometimes tastes like metal to me). It’s not my favorite.

Our room didn’t have a refrigerator, so unfortunately there was no way to keep anything cool.

Here’s what I’d recommend grabbing at the store before you head out:

• Alcohol – the only alcohol available for purchase is inside the restaurant.
• Snacks (we didn’t have a refrigerator, so check your accommodation and plan accordingly)

Winter Weather

We went in mid-March and the average temperature was around zero (0F). At night it would get down to -15F without wind chill. It was breezy when we were there which meant it was much colder than -15F. We were told that the wind is not normal at Chena so it’s unlikely you’ll have much wind while there.

This is actually fairly warm for Fairbanks in the winter. It can get much colder – sometimes down to -50F. I’d plan for negative temps or around zero. It’s better to over-prepare than under prepare when it comes to proper winter clothing!

The Hot Springs & Pool Area

I didn’t go in with many expectations of the hot springs, but this was an area that completely exceeded my expectations. These hot springs are 100% worth the trip! The water was a perfect temperature and the setting was really beautiful with the frozen ice and snow surrounding the springs.

When you enter the building, you take off your shoes and socks and are met with a heated floor. Then you walk into the changing area with locker rooms (no heated floors here unfortunately).

There is a change machine in the lobby if you want to pay 50 cents to lock your locker. We skipped that and just put our belongings in an empty locker.

Then you walk down a small covered corridor to the springs. It’s nice that that part is covered, otherwise, it would feel much colder getting there in just your swimsuit!

There is a ramp and railing to ease you into the water, and there are various levels once you’re in. Much of it is around 3-4 1/2 feet, and some people were sitting on rocks that went around the perimeter of the springs.

The floor is covered in small pebble rocks, so if that isn’t your favorite I’d recommend some water shoes .

Note you don’t need to stay at the resort to enjoy the hot springs. Instead, you can purchase day tickets on their website (which I’d recommend doing ahead of time).

In addition to the hot springs, there’s an indoor pool with a few hot tubs as well as an upper outdoor hot tub with a view of the springs below.

Dining Options

The only restaurant at the resort is located in the main building. This is also where the bar is at, so although the website makes it seem like they’re two different places, it’s all housed in one place.

There’s no phone number to call and no phone lines in the rooms, so the only way to make your reservation is to walk up in person. They also do not have buzzers or any way to reach you, so you have to wait in the building for your turn.

Since there’s only one restaurant serving hundreds of people, it gets quite busy, especially at dinner time.

We arrived at 6pm and weren’t seated until 8:15pm (so we waited over 2 hours!). I believe when we put our name on the list there were about 18 people ahead of us.

We also were told that the main courses were taking about an hour. Since we had a 9:30pm Aurora Tour, we just grabbed some appetizers and salads since those were only taking 25 minutes and we were running out of time.

There is a room in the back to hang out. They have free coffee, tea, and there were some Godiva chocolates as well.

If you have kids, be sure to bring plenty to keep them entertained while you wait for dinner. I’d also recommend snacks and drinks to avoid eventual crankiness.

Breakfast and lunch weren’t as bad. We grabbed breakfast the next morning at 10am and there was no line, but 10am is a bit late for breakfast.

We were told that there are some staffing issues currently, which could explain the long wait times, so your experience may be different.

The bar top is first come, first serve. There are only about 8 seats at the bar so if there are more than two of you, I’d stick to the reservations.

Small Store

There is a small store with sandwiches, soup, some salads, candy, and non-perishable snacks. There are also beverages. Check to see if your room has a fridge before purchasing the perishable stuff.

Vending Machines (Cash only!)

There’s a vending machine in the activity center that’s open 24hrs, so if you arrive super late like we did, this is your only food option. The drink vending machine does not have water.

There are also vending machines in the pool house, but it closes at 11:30pm.

The Northern Lights Tour

We booked the 9:30pm Aurora Tour through the resort. We met at the Activity Center and once everyone was ready, we headed up on SUSV’s, or Small Unit Support Vehicles. They are Swedish and pretty cool machines for the snow. They took us up to the top of the mountain.

At the top, we were led into a yurt. The yurt is heated and they provide free hot drinks (coffee, tea, apple cider, hot cocoa) and ramen noodles. There’s a separate men’s and women’s toilet outside of the yurt. The women’s is heated and the men’s is not. Sorry guys.

Unfortunately, the night we booked the tour, we didn’t see anything. So we mostly hung out in the yurt all night. I didn’t plan for this to happen. If I were to do it again I’d definitely bring my Kindle (the newer one with the light) or have some games or something to do on my phone.

Can You See the Northern Lights without a Tour?

Yes, you can see the Northern Lights right from the resort. And actually, the only northern lights we witnessed were the first night right outside the activity center.

In the activity center, there’s an ‘Aurora Viewing Room’ that’s open all night. It faces North where you’re most likely to see the lights and has windows across the wall. There are many seats and it’s heated, which is a welcome change from the bitter cold outside.

I was surprised that other tour companies were using the facility as well. They drove in for a few hours and then left to check out other viewing spots. This could be another great way to see the lights and get different types of photos.

Since we saw the lights the first night (our tour was booked for the second night), our photos were taken from the parking lot. So there were some vehicles and a motorhome that made their way into the foreground. It’s not a huge deal, but I ended up cropping out most of the lower portion of my photos.

Our Accommodation

I usually try to steer away from being negative on here, but I wanted to provide our actual experience and not just the fluff. I also had a hard time finding any real information online about what it’s actually like at the resort.

We stayed in a ‘Fox Room’ in Building 101. When we entered our hotel room, it was hot and humid and had a funny smell. The thermostat had been turned up to 75 degrees F so we promptly turned it down. The room itself didn’t have any ventilation, which is why it was so humid.

And since it’s humid, the windows were completely frozen shut, so there was no chance of getting fresh air.

Overall, the entire place looked like it had seen better days. The bathroom wasn’t super clean and the furnishings were really dated.

Aside from that, the actual bed and pillows were comfortable. The water warmed up quickly, and the thermostat worked just fine.

It’s also important to note that there’s no refrigerator in the fox rooms.

I didn’t mind that it wasn’t completely clean, and honestly, I didn’t expect it to be a nice resort so it essentially met my expectations. I knew I was booking the place to simply be able to rest my head.

The worst part was the stuffy air and the inability to open the windows. It made me feel a bit claustrophobic. The hallway was even warmer so that also wasn’t an option.

This was just my experience in the fox rooms. It’s very possible the dry cabins or larger family rooms are a different experience.

Read Next: An Epic 7-Day Alaska Winter Itinerary

My Overall Experience

The Hot Springs and the Northern Lights were hands down worth the trip! I grew up near Anchorage which typically gets fewer displays of lights than further north (like Fairbanks and Chena). I wish we were able to see them on the night of our tour, but I really can’t complain.

In fact, the apps and data predicted that the best lights would be on the night of our tour. But the storm (a solar storm, that is) actually hit hours earlier than predicted.

The best lights were out at 5:30am. Sadly we called it a night at 4am. This leads me to an important bit of advice: If the lights are out and still looking good, stay out! The sky was still a green hue when we went to bed.

I loved the hot springs. I’m pregnant right now so I was unable to fully enjoy them, but I still went in up to my hips. My friend stayed in for about 45 minutes, and you could come and go as you pleased.

It wasn’t packed by any means and everything was clean. The setting looked quite magical, and it’s open until 11:45pm if you want to experience the springs under the stars.

It’d be nice if they added a deli or cafe for more food options. But if you plan ahead of time, you can mitigate this issue.

The restaurant itself was in great shape and super cute. The inside reminded me of a German brewery with wooden walls, beams, and low ceilings. It was quite cozy. The food was good and there was surprising variety. They had salmon, halibut, and scallops, but also things like yellow curry and pho.

The way they have their service setup needs to be improved so you aren’t waiting hours for a table. I’d definitely recommend heading to dinner at 4pm to avoid the long wait.

How to Take Photos of the Northern Lights

I wouldn’t recommend learning how to use a camera in sub-zero temperatures. And actually, if you don’t take the time to learn your camera before heading out, it’s not likely that you’ll get many shots. So learning your camera is my biggest piece of advice. Don’t skip this part!

Specifically, learn how to set it to manual and be able to change the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture (specific settings listed below). If you can set the custom dials, then set them so you can easily change these settings (or practice until there are no problems adjusting it).

Check to see if your camera can do intervals, meaning take a photo every 10 seconds or whatever you set it to. This setting allows you to set the number of images you want the camera to take and at what timing interval. I set my camera to 12 seconds and 30 images.

This way, you can set up your camera, and then head inside while it gets to work.

Another way to do this is by controlling your camera remotely. Mine can be linked via Bluetooth or Wifi to my phone, although I kept getting an error while we were there. I’m not sure if it was too cold or if something else was going on, so I didn’t end up using that setting.

Learn how to change your lens to manual focus and then get it to focus. I have a Canon R6 and it shows me when I get the lens in focus (the focus area I select has this green square and line indicating it’s all in focus).

The Best Camera Settings

• Shutter speed 5-8 seconds
• ISO 1200-2500
• Aperture 4.0 – 8.0
• Change your lens to Manual Focus. Your camera will not be able to focus in the dark, so you will need to manually set it. Every time you zoom in or out, or change your location, update your focus.
• Set timer to 2 seconds or take photo remotely via bluetooth or wifi. Many newer cameras have this as a built-in option, or you can purchase a remote timer that goes on your hot shoe. The reason for a timer is to avoid camera shake when you press the shutter.

My favorite settings were 5 seconds, ISO 1600, and an aperture of 5.6.

Get your settings ready before you go outside. Even if you’re excited, it’s much easier to do this inside where there’s more light and it’s still warm.

Camera Equipment Needed

• Tripod – You simply cannot take photos of northern lights without one! There would be too much camera shake. If you don’t yet own a tripod, I’d recommend not getting the cheapest one you can find, but also not spending $600 on a tripod (they get expensive!). For about $100, this is the best travel tripod on the market (and my personal favorite). It’s light, sturdy, compact, and made of carbon fiber. It also comes with a stability hook that allows you to add weight in case there’s wind.
• Gloves with finger openings – This is so you can adjust your camera settings and not freeze your fingers. I recommend these ones .
• Extra Batteries – the cold doesn’t help battery life, so stock up on extra batteries!
• Charging Station or Battery Pack – If your stuff dies, be sure to have a way to charge it back up.
• Extra Storage Cards – If you luck out with multiple hours of northern lights, you’ll definitely need more storage to capture all your shots. I brought two 128GB SD cards with me, but more is always better.
• Wide angle or versatile zoom lens – I’d recommend a lens that can zoom wider than 40mm. I had a 17-40mm lens which worked great – I was able to capture most of the sky with just this lens. I do wish I had something a little more versatile such as the 24-105mm. This way I could have zoomed in on some more interesting foreground features and include the sky.

What about an iPhone?

I am not a pro at iPhone photography, but our guides said that if you don’t have a 12 or newer, you cannot take good northern lights photos.

Preventing Camera Issues and Damage

Do not take your camera inside and then outside all night. Every time you take it inside moisture will build up inside the camera. Then when you go outside it will freeze. Our guides explained that many people have completely broken their cameras by doing this.

Instead, set your camera up outside and take the battery in with you. When the lights start, you can simply put the battery back in your camera and start shooting.

Other Shooting Tips

• Set focus to manual. Continuously check your focus by reviewing your images. If I had blurry images, it’s because I got excited and forgot to check that the ground was in focus.
• Setup your settings BEFORE you go outside
• Be willing to make adjustments as you go. If it’s too bright, drop the shutter speed and/or ISO. If it’s too dark, boost the ISO or add more time to your shutter.
• Learn to use your interval timer and/or wireless function
• Be gentle with your equipment. When it’s below zero, things can get brittle and break easier, so keep that in mind when working with thousands of dollars of equipment.

This photo cracks me up. It was our attempt to take an iPhone photo with a long shutter speed. We didn’t know how long the shutter speed would be, so we stayed still for about 10 seconds then moved….well, we should have stayed still longer. Hah!

More Alaska Articles

• The Only Anchorage to Seward Driving Guide [and Itinerary!] You’ll Need
• 49 Beautiful Photos of Southcentral Alaska to Inspire your Next Trip
• 19 Fun Family-Friendly Kid Activities in Alaska

13 Gifts for Anyone Who Loves Alaska

• How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Alaska [2022 Edition!]
• Alaska Packing List: Essential Items for Your Summer Vacation
• All Alaska Articles

I'm Brea, an Alaskan with a serious case of wanderlust. Join me as I share insider information and firsthand accounts to help with your travels. Find destination guides, itineraries, general travel tips, learn how to take better photos, and more! Follow me on Instagram for all my up-to-date travels @travelingigloo

Similar Posts

An Epic 7 Day Alaska Winter Itinerary: The Highlights

The Perfect Alaska Winter Travel Guide

An Epic 10-Day Alaska Winter Itinerary (from an Alaskan)

Things to do in Girdwood [Alaska] + Itinerary

17 Best Things to Do in Seward, Alaska (from an Alaskan)

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Tours To Chena

Day trip to chena.

Check out our resort with a relaxing day trip, enjoy the 60 mile scenic ride and soak in our natural hot springs.

Northern Lights Tour

Enjoy a scenic 60 mile ride in our shuttle, soak in our natural hot springs water and await for auroras to show.

Sled Dog Day Tour

Check out our resort with a relaxing day trip, enjoy the 60 mile scenic ride and soak in our natural hot springs. We have the coolest year-round Ice Museum. And as the name says it, learn how mushing works in Alaska and take a ride with our sled dogs!

Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour From Fairbanks

Gazing up at the night sky, a traveler once likened the dance of the Northern Lights to a mystical symphony playing out across the heavens. Imagine being part of this ethereal performance on the ‘Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour From Fairbanks.’

The allure of witnessing this natural spectacle amidst the Alaskan wilderness is undeniable. As the tour unfolds, the promise of an unforgettable night under the stars awaits, leaving guests with a sense of wonder and anticipation for what lies ahead.

• Night trip to Chena Hot Springs offers Northern Lights viewing opportunities.
• Enjoy Ice Museum visit, dinner at the resort, and hot springs relaxation.
• Guides enhance Aurora viewing and ensure a memorable experience.
• Some guests find the tour cost high for the offerings, but guides receive praise for their efforts.

Here's some more nearby activities we've reviewed

• Fairbanks Snowmobile Adventure From North Pole
• Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole
• Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour From Fairbanks
• Arctic Circle and Northern Lights Tour From Fairbanks

Tour Overview

The Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks offers a captivating nighttime adventure. It combines a visit to the Fairbanks Ice Museum, relaxation in the hot springs at a rustic lodge resort, and the chance to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights dance across the Alaskan sky.

The hot springs present a perfect opportunity for guests to unwind and rejuvenate while gazing at the star-studded night sky. The warm waters of the springs contrast beautifully with the cool night air, creating a serene and tranquil atmosphere for visitors to enjoy.

As darkness falls, the brilliance of the Northern Lights illuminates the sky, painting it with vibrant colors and mesmerizing patterns. This provides a truly unforgettable experience for all those fortunate enough to witness this natural spectacle.

Inclusions and Services

Guests embarking on the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks can anticipate a comprehensive array of inclusions and services that enhance their evening adventure. The tour includes a driver/guide providing live commentary, hotel pickup and drop-off, and the option to purchase alcoholic drinks. Dinner at the Chena Hot Springs Resort restaurant is provided, along with gratuities and admission tickets to the resort.

However, guests should be aware that there are additional expenses for entrance fees and food. In terms of cost comparison , some guests find the tour to be expensive for the offerings provided. Nevertheless, the dining options at the Chena Hot Springs Resort restaurant are often highlighted as a significant part of the experience.

Customer Experiences

Immersing oneself in the captivating experiences of the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks reveals a tapestry of memorable moments awaiting adventurous souls. Guests delight in the enchanting Aurora sightings , filling the night sky with dancing colors and awe-inspiring beauty.

The visit to the Ice Museum adds a unique touch to the evening, with the Ice Bar offering a fun and chilly experience. The highlight of the night is often the relaxation in the soothing hot springs, providing a perfect way to unwind and rejuvenate.

Guide Experience

Guides like Tony and JT engage guests with fascinating insights and ensure an enhanced experience during the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks. Their expertise shines through in various ways:

• Providing interesting information
• Facilitating Northern Lights viewing
• Ensuring enjoyable experiences at the Ice Museum and Hot Springs
• Keeping guests informed about Aurora likelihood
• Going above and beyond to enhance the tour experience

Tony and JT’s dedication to making the tour memorable by sharing their knowledge, creating a comfortable environment, and making sure guests are well informed about the Northern Lights significantly contributes to the overall enjoyment of the experience.

Cost and Feedback

The tour cost for the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks is approximately $30 plus gas, with additional expenses for entrance fees and food.

While some guests find the tour expensive for the inclusions, positive reviews highlight enjoyable experiences. Some guests wish for more time to view the Northern Lights, but overall , there’s appreciation for the guides’ efforts to enhance the tour experience.

Guides receive praise for their knowledge and facilitation, with guests acknowledging their role in ensuring a memorable trip. Despite some guests finding the tour cost to be high for the offerings, customer satisfaction remains relatively high due to the relaxing and enjoyable experiences in the hot springs and the memorable Northern Lights viewing opportunities.

Additional Information

Guests on the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks can anticipate experiencing a night trip to Chena Hot Springs with the opportunity to view the mesmerizing Northern Lights.

Travel Tips

Dress warmly and in layers for the cold night.

Bring a camera to capture the stunning Aurora Borealis.

Follow the guide’s instructions for the best viewing spots.

Stay patient as the Northern Lights might take time to appear.

Enjoy the soothing hot springs after a night of Aurora hunting.

Local Attractions

Fairbanks Ice Museum

Chena Hot Springs Resort

Chena River State Recreation Area

Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center

Pioneer Park

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we have reviewed.

• Guided Fairbanks Snowmobile Tour
• Arctic Circle Day Trip From Fairbanks With Transportation
• Fairbanks Small-Group Aurora Chasing Tour (Mar )
• Fairbanks Small-Group Northern Light Photo Tour
• Fairbanks Ice Fishing Expedition in a Heated Cabin With Fish Cookout
• Alaskan Heritage and Sightseeing Tour in Fairbanks

Common questions

What is the best time of year to take the northern lights and chena hot springs night tour from fairbanks.

The best time of year to experience the Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs night tour from Fairbanks generally occurs during clear, dark nights from late August to mid-April. Ideal locations for viewing are those with minimal light pollution. Photography tips include using a tripod for stability and adjusting camera settings for long exposures.

Are There Any Recommended Clothing or Gear for Guests to Bring on the Tour?

Recommended attire for the tour includes sturdy footwear for walking, layering for changing temperatures. Guests are advised to bring camera equipment for capturing the Northern Lights and binoculars for enhanced viewing. Be prepared for an unforgettable experience!

Is There a Specific Area at Chena Hot Springs Resort Designated for Northern Lights Viewing?

At Chena Hot Springs Resort, a designated area for Northern Lights viewing enhances the nighttime activities . Guests can enjoy this special viewing location while also experiencing the relaxing hot springs, creating a memorable and engaging experience.

Can Guests Bring Their Own Food or Snacks on the Tour?

Guests on the tour should adhere to proper guest etiquette and refrain from bringing their own food or snacks. The tour options include dinner at Chena Hot Springs Resort restaurant and other amenities provided, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable experience.

Are There Any Wildlife Sightings Expected During the Tour?

During the tour, guests may have wildlife encounters , enhancing their nature viewing experience. Animal sightings can vary, offering unique opportunities for nature interactions. Guides are knowledgeable and aim to facilitate memorable wildlife encounters for guests.

Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• Fairbanks Heritage Sightseeing Tour
• Healy: Denali Aurora Quest
• A Full-Day, Small-Group Denali National Park Tour – Fairbanks
• Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour
• Fairbanks Private Northern Lights and Photography Tour
• Arctic Circle Expedition From Fairbanks
• Hot Spring and Northern Lights Photography Tour
• Northern Lights Photo Shoot With a Pro Photographer – Fairbanks
• Fairbanks to Denali Shuttle Service
• Alaska Railroad Aurora Winter Fairbanks to Anchorage One Way
• 2-Hour Guided Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks

Don’t miss out on the chance to witness the awe-inspiring Northern Lights and relax in the rejuvenating Chena Hot Springs on the ‘Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour From Fairbanks.’

With knowledgeable guides, personalized attention , and unforgettable experiences , this 10-hour adventure is a must-do for anyone visiting Fairbanks.

Book your spot now for a magical night under the dancing lights of the aurora borealis.

Similar Posts

Yala National Park: Leopard Safari Full Day Tour With Lunch

As visitors embark on the Leopard Safari Full Day Tour in Yala National Park, they often find themselves immersed in…

Prague Old Town New Town and Jewish Quarter Morning Tour

Set out on a morning exploration of Prague’s picturesque Old Town, New Town, and Jewish Quarter with a knowledgeable guide….

Bolgheri: Premium Wine Tasting With Winery Tour

Nestled among the rolling hills of Bolgheri lies a hidden gem awaiting discovery – a premium wine tasting paired with…

Private Transfer From Fredericia Port to Billund Airport (Bll)

Navigating the journey from Fredericia Port to Billund Airport (BLL) is akin to a well-orchestrated symphony, where every note plays…

Quebec City Guided Tour 4H With Driver/Guide

Set out on an unforgettable journey through the historic streets and captivating landmarks of Quebec City with the Quebec City…

Osaka Bay: Santa Maria Cruise Boarding Pass

Set out on a journey unlike any other as you step aboard the illustrious Santa Maria cruise in Osaka Bay….

How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska in 2024

T he National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says solar activity is intensifying and will peak (at a higher level than previously thought) in 2024. This means travelers will have more opportunities to see the northern lights around the world .

If you're considering a trip to Alaska to witness this atmospheric phenomenon, read on to discover the best months to visit as well as a variety of viewing options.

Category Navigation Box Enhancement : Table of Contents - Travel - How to See the Northern Lights in Alaska

The best time to see the northern lights in Alaska

According to the Alaska Travel Industry Association, the best time to see the northern lights is typically from Aug. 21 to April 21 , also known as the Aurora Season. While the aurora can appear at any time of night, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. are the prime viewing hours.

The winter solstice – which is the shortest day of the year, typically falling between Dec. 20 and 23 – is a particularly good time to be in Alaska for the northern lights. This day affords less daylight and more time to spot the aurora. In parts of Alaska, the amount of daylight during the winter solstice can range from around six hours in Anchorage to less than four further north in Fairbanks. Up in remote Utqiagvik (formerly called Barrow), about 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, there are roughly 67 days of darkness from Nov. 18 to Jan. 23, resulting in even more opportunities to spot the northern lights.

Of course, 2024 is expected to be a little different. Scientists say solar activity will reach its peak from January to October, expanding the typical time frame for spotting the aurora. Ahead of and during your visit, experts recommend utilizing these forecasting resources:

• Aurora Tracker: Whether you're a beginner or an experienced aurora chaser, you'll appreciate Explore Fairbanks' real-time Aurora Tracker . This online reference shows up-to-the-minute information on the temperature, weather and likelihood of catching the northern lights in Fairbanks. Much of the data comes from one of the world's foremost aurora research centers, the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska–Fairbanks. To further assist in your search, you can also download the My Aurora Forecast & Alerts app on your smartphone.
• Aurora Forecast: For other parts of the state, the Geophysical Institute website's Aurora Forecast has daily forecasts of geomagnetic activity up to three days in advance and taken at three-hour intervals. There's also a summation on the webpage of whether the aurora will be active – or not – and where you'll find the best visibility in Alaska.

Where to see the northern lights in Alaska

Below are the top destinations to consider when deciding where to see the northern lights in Alaska.

Fairbanks, known as the Golden Heart of Alaska, sits at 65 degrees north latitude, making it an excellent choice for aurora hunters, especially first-timers. It's easily accessible and offers plenty of accommodations , restaurants and other unique attractions . You can also be outside of Fairbanks within minutes to find excellent northern lights viewing locales.

Your chances of seeing the aurora display are excellent as the city sits where the activity of the polar lights is concentrated – under the ring-shaped zone known as the auroral oval. Local experts say that on clear evenings when the sky is very dark, you should be able to witness the skies light up on an average of four out of five nights in Fairbanks.

Where to stay:

• Aurora Villa : Located on the outskirts of Fairbanks, Aurora Villa offers luxurious guest rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows for viewing the northern lights in a cozy private space. The modern wooden cabin sits on 10 acres surrounded by forested hills, yet it's close enough to the city (less than 15 miles northeast) to explore all that Fairbanks has to offer.
• Pike's Waterfront Lodge : Located along the Chena River in Fairbanks, just minutes from Fairbanks International Airport, this property offers 180 rooms and 28 cabins for aurora-hunting adventurers. As a guest of the lodge, you can request that the front desk alert you when the northern lights appear – no matter the time of day or night. Pike's Waterfront Lodge also offers amenities to keep guests warm while viewing the light show outdoors.

Talkeetna sits about 115 miles north of Anchorage in south-central Alaska, at the base of Denali, the tallest mountain peak in North America. With its old clapboard buildings, log cabins and roadhouse dating back to 1917, this historic town offers a lot of outdoor fun beyond chasing the aurora. Main Street is filled with galleries, shops, restaurants and a brewery. The quirky village, once a former mining town, was the inspiration for the imaginary borough of Cicely in the TV show "Northern Exposure."

If you visit in December, check out the festivities at the monthlong Winterfest. This event features a parade of lights, a tree lighting ceremony and the Taste of Talkeetna food festival, plus entertaining events like the Bachelor Auction and the Wilderness Woman Competition.

When it's time to look up in the sky for the lights, local aurora hunters recommend heading out of town to Christiansen Lake or past the airport on Beaver Road. If you prefer to stay close by, look north into the sky toward Denali from Talkeetna Riverfront Park.

• Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge : Book a Mountain View room for views of Denali and the Alaskan Range. The cozy lodge offers multiple dining venues, including the award-winning Foraker Restaurant.
• Talkeetna Lakeside Cabins : These cabins provide peace and quiet on a private lake just 12 miles from Talkeetna.

Denali National Park

Denali National Park is another spectacular place to view the northern lights in Alaska – not to mention one of the top tourist attractions in the U.S. The National Park Service says almost everywhere within the park is free from city light pollution, so if the conditions are right (meaning that's it's clear and dark enough), you should be able to see the aurora borealis, especially when looking toward the northern horizon.

However, when wintertime rolls around – from September or October through April – it's more difficult to access parts of the park, even though it's open year-round. Keep in mind, too, that the lodges closest to the park are typically closed from mid-September to mid-May.

Where to stay: Located less than 15 miles from the Denali National Park entrance, the Aurora Denali Lodge offers year-round accommodations equipped with queen-sized beds, smart TVs and private bathrooms. Rates at the lodge include a continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi, free parking and complimentary hot drinks. What's more, the property says visitors can expect plenty of wildlife sightings, such as bears, moose, lynxes, owls and snowshoe hares, just outside your door.

Coldfoot Camp

Coldfoot Camp is situated above the Arctic Circle in the Brooks Mountain Range, near the Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The remote wilderness destination is ideal for aurora viewing since it sits directly under the auroral oval. It's also the perfect locale for backcountry snowshoeing, wildlife viewing and dog mushing.

Where to stay: The Inn at Coldfoot Camp offers rustic accommodations located in trailers that once housed Alaskan pipeline workers. The rooms include two twin beds and a private bathroom and shower. Guests can dine at the on-site Trucker's Cafe, which offers breakfast and dinner buffets in the summer months and all-day a la carte dining in the winter. When you're ready for a cold one at the end of the day, check out the Frozen Foot Saloon and order an Alaska-brewed beer.

If you prefer camping and have your own gear , you can camp free of charge on the property during the summer months. Coldfoot Camp also hosts a selection of year-round Arctic adventures and excursions, including a trip to the nearby village of Wiseman for aurora viewing.

This remote wilderness retreat has just 13 full-time residents. Wiseman is located in Alaska's Brooks Range, about 15 miles north of Coldfoot Camp, 60 miles north of the Arctic Circle and 270 miles from Fairbanks. The community sits directly under the auroral oval, making it one of the best places in Alaska to view the northern lights. You can expect to see the spectacle in the sky in Wiseman about 250 nights a year, especially between late August and mid-April.

• Arctic Hive : Arctic Hive has the distinction of being the northernmost yoga studio in the U.S. A common fiberglass lodge allows guests to gather for cooking and meals, and meditation, educational gatherings and other activities are hosted in a geodesic dome. Arctic Hive also offers retreats that include northern lights viewing opportunities in February and March.
• Arctic Getaway : This bed-and-breakfast sits between the middle fork of the Koyukuk River and Wiseman Creek, offering three cabins. While here, you can learn what it's like to homestead in Alaska above the Arctic Circle and enjoy outdoor activities like dog sled rides across the vast wilderness, cross-country skiing , pack rafting and flightseeing by bush plane.
• Boreal Lodging : Reachable by vehicle, Boreal Lodging has several rental options, ranging from lodge rooms to larger cabins with living areas and kitchens.

Located in western Alaska overlooking the Norton Sound of the Bering Sea, Nome is the ending point for the more than 1,000-mile, 51-year-old Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race in March. Once the most populated city in Alaska, Nome had almost 20,000 residents and an average of 1,000 new people arriving daily during the height of the gold rush in 1899. Nome is a little quieter now, with a population of less than 4,000 residents.

Where to stay: Some of the best spots for viewing the aurora are at the end of town, where the 52-room Aurora Inn & Suites is located. The hotel conveniently offers car rentals on-site.

360 Kiosk Email : Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Situated on the banks of the Arctic Ocean, Utqiagvik is the northernmost city in the U.S. The town, formerly known as Barrow, changed its name in 2016 back to Utqiagvik, its traditional Inupiaq name. Utqiagvik is only accessible by plane: Alaska Airlines and other regional carriers offer service from both Anchorage and Fairbanks.

Where to stay: For accommodations, make reservations at a hotel named for its location – the Top of the World Hotel . The property's comfortable rooms offer views of the Arctic Ocean, and the on-site restaurant, Niggivikput (meaning "our place to eat"), serves traditional local dishes like reindeer soup. While you may be there for aurora hunting, don't miss the excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities: You may see polar bears, caribou, foxes, bearded seals, whales, walruses, migratory birds and the great snowy owl on the tundra.

Borealis Basecamp

One of the best glamping destinations in the U.S. , Borealis Basecamp is a remote 100-acre property that sits within a boreal forest 25 miles north of Fairbanks. The property features 20 individual igloos, resembling those you'd find at Arctic research stations and on polar expeditions, as well as five glass cubes. All accommodations allow guests to gaze up at the aurora and the starry night sky while snuggled up in bed. You'll also enjoy many amenities you'd find in a hotel, including full bathrooms with toiletries and a selection of coffee, hot cocoa and tea.

Choose from a variety of packages that include accommodations and activities like dog-sledding, UTV tours, helicopter sightseeing experiences and more.

Northern lights Alaska cruises

One of the best times to cruise to Alaska is during the aurora season. Aurora season sailings to Alaska are available with the following cruise lines this year.

If you're interested in excursions for aurora viewing, look for a line that offers cruisetours, such as Holland America. These tours offer the best of both worlds, giving you time on land and at sea to view the dancing night sky. Holland America's cruisetours range from overnight stays just 2 miles from Denali National Park at the McKinley Chalet Resort to a domed luxury train ride through Alaska's backcountry on the McKinley Explorer. On a Tundra Wilderness Tour in Denali, look for Alaska's "Big Five": grizzly bears, moose, caribou, Dall sheep and wolves. Just keep in mind that none of the above cruise lines can guarantee you'll see the northern lights during your journey.

The best northern lights tours in Alaska

If you want to experience the aurora borealis by joining a tour group, you'll find a variety of options led by expert guides and granting you easier access to many of the state's remote destinations, often with other activities included. (Just be aware that, on any tour or excursion, there's no way to guarantee that the aurora will be visible.) These are some of the best northern lights tours in Alaska:

Arctic Dog Adventure Co.: Aurora Overnight Tour

Dog-sledding is one of the top winter activities in Alaska, and you can choose to do it by day or night. If you want to experience an Alaska dog-sledding adventure while chasing the aurora, book a once-in-a-lifetime experience with Arctic Dog's Aurora Overnight Tour. Highlights of this two-day, one-night excursion – which starts in Fairbanks – are dog mushing your own sled team and glamping in a heated tent under an aurora-filled sky. Other features of the tour include cold weather gear, a photography lesson and Alaska-inspired meals.

Button Enhancement : Arctic Dog Adventure Co. - Aurora Overnight Tours

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour

Located around 20 miles northwest of the city, Murphy Dome is regarded as one of the best places to watch the northern lights in Fairbanks at nearly 3,000 feet above sea level. This location, once home to Murphy Dome Air Force Station with as many as 250 personnel stationed at the base, now houses a long-range radar station that detects military air threats from overseas.

Alaska Wildlife Guide leads 5.5-hour northern lights tours to Murphy Dome, typically from late August to early April – you can check with the company for day-to-day tour availability. Excursion prices include round-trip transportation from Fairbanks, 360-degree views of the north-facing sky, hot beverages and bottled water – in addition to (hopefully) hours of memorable aurora viewing.

Button Enhancement : Viator - Alaska Wildlife Guide - Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

This full-day (14-hour) excursion, also offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide, begins in Fairbanks and crosses the Arctic Circle into Alaska's vast and remote wilderness. The tour includes a drive along the more than 800-mile Trans-Alaskan Pipeline and a half-mile walk along the loop at Finger Mountain with views overlooking the Kanuti Flats (depending on the season). Your guide will also stop along the riverbank after crossing the Yukon River Bridge.

During the tour, you'll learn about the history of the pipeline and hear narratives around the other included stops. A snack and warm beverage are included; then, if conditions are just right, you'll have the chance to see the brilliant light show dance across the dark, clear skies before you arrive back in Fairbanks at dawn.

Button Enhancement : Viator - Alaska Wildlife Guide - Northern Lights & Arctic Circle Tour

Alaska Journey Tours: Northern Lights (Aurora) Chasing Tour

Get picked up at your Fairbanks hotel (or meet at the Hyatt Place Fairbanks) for this three-hour northern lights tour in a heated SUV. Guides take photos of tourgoers as well as their own photos of the night sky, which are later shared with the group. Recent travelers praise this tour, and appreciate that the guides are always determined to give them the best northern lights viewing experience.

Button Enhancement : Viator - Alaska Journey Tours - Northern Lights (Aurora) Chasing Tour

Alaska Tours: Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure

Hosted by Alaska Tours, the Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure is available January to March and August to December. This excursion includes two, three or four nights at this wilderness lodge about 35 miles north of the Arctic Circle. During the winter days, enjoy outdoor Arctic sports such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing or stay warm indoors chatting with other guests at the Aurora Lodge. In the evenings, you can bundle up and head outside at one of the best places in Alaska to see the spectacle in the sky.

Prices include round-trip airfare between Fairbanks and Bettles, accommodations at the lodge, meals, a village tour and complimentary use of the Arctic gear (in season).

Button Enhancement : Alaska Tours - Bettles Lodge Winter Adventure

Alaska Photo Treks: Anchorage Aurora Quest

Alaska Photo Treks offers one of the best ways to see the northern lights in Anchorage – and you'll even learn how best to photograph the aurora, which can be a challenge to capture digitally or on film. This experience, the Anchorage Aurora Quest, is available nightly (when conditions are right), typically from mid-August to mid-April. The approximately six-hour guided tour with a professional photographer explains the science behind the northern lights and provides photo tips for budding aurora photographers in a small-group format. Tourgoers are picked up from their hotel by the guide at about 10 p.m. and return around 4 a.m., though that time can vary based on the aurora forecast.

On the Alaska Photo Treks website, you'll find a list of recommended camera equipment to bring. If you're using a smartphone, the tour group suggests downloading an aurora app and bringing a tripod. The company also advises that you'll be outdoors for about two hours, so you need to dress appropriately for the weather. For the best aurora viewing, the guides usually travel between one to three locations within a 70-mile radius of Anchorage. If you're in town for an extended stay, Alaska Photo Treks also offers a four-day pass for even more nocturnal viewing of the auroral activity.

Button Enhancement : Alaska Photo Treks - Anchorage Aurora Quest

Alaska Tours: Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Chena Hot Springs Resort is known for its therapeutic waters and aurora-viewing opportunities. If you prefer to head out with a guide rather than on your own, book the Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour with Alaska Tours. This package includes a four- to five-hour Aurora Expedition tour, four nights of accommodations, and access to resort amenities including cross-country skiing and snow machine tours.

Button Enhancement : Alaska Tours - Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights

Alaska Wildlife Guide: Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs

Day trips are also an option for those who'd like to enjoy the resort amenities and a chance at seeing the northern lights from Chena Hot Springs. This tour offered by Alaska Wildlife Guide includes admission to the hot springs and Aurora Ice Museum as well as pickup from local hotels. Recent travelers say the tour guides are top-notch.

Button Enhancement : Viator - Alaska Wildlife Guide - Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs

John Hall's Alaska: Alaska's Winter Wonders

For an extended land tour to chase the aurora – and experience Alaska's magical winter wonderland – book this bucket list eight-day adventure with John Hall's Alaska. The company's Alaska's Winter Wonders tour is offered in February and March; it features up to seven nights of northern lights viewing, as well as adventure-filled days with skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. You'll also take an awe-inspiring flightseeing bush plane ride over Denali National Park, which includes a fly-by of the Foraker, Silverthorne, Hunter and Moose's Tooth peaks before landing on the Great Gorge of Ruth Glacier – the deepest in the world.

If that's not enough adventure, test your skills at dog mushing and curling or take an aerial tram ride. Travelers can also check out the local breweries or just sit back, relax and enjoy the spectacular views. Additional highlights include spending two evenings under the dancing night sky in one of the domed igloos at Borealis Basecamp, as well as aurora borealis photography lessons.

All-inclusive pricing covers accommodations, meals, luxury land and small plane transportation, fully guided service, gratuities, and baggage handling – plus a black subzero jacket to keep you warm during your Alaska adventure.

Button Enhancement : John Hall's Alaska - Alaska's Winter Wonders

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi is an avid travel adventurer who fell in love with Alaska on her first visit to the state many years ago. She's returned several times on land trips and by ship for year-round outdoor adventure and to chase the northern lights in one of the best places on the planet to view them. She writes about the travel and culinary industries for a variety of major publications.

You might also be interested in:

• The Top Packable Jackets
• The Top Things to Do in Alaska
• How to See the Northern Lights in Iceland
• The Best Travel Insurance Companies

Copyright 2024 U.S. News & World Report