Chena Hot Springs Day Tour
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
Sit back, relax, and take in the scenic Alaskan landscape as you're transported 60 miles east of Fairbanks to the famous Chena Hot Springs Resort. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled—you may spot moose, foxes, or even beavers in their natural habitat.
Start your visit with a tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, home to stunning ice sculptures made from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow. Feeling adventurous? Try an optional Appletini in a hand-carved ice glass (21+, not included).
Then, soak in the resort’s natural hot springs, explore scenic trails, or tour the greenhouse and geothermal energy facilities.
Hungry? The on-site restaurant offers fresh Alaskan seafood and produce (meal not included). Before returning to Fairbanks, stop by the gift shop for locally made souvenirs.
PLEASE NOTE:
You are eligible for a full refund up to 7 days before your tour.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
If going in the hot springs, you will need a bathing suit. You may also wish to bring rubber shoes and a towel. Towels are available at a cost of $5.
Lockers are available and take 2 quarters (50 cents). A change machine is on-site if required.
Photo ID is required to purchase an Appletini in the Ice Museum or other alcoholic beverages in the restaurant/bar.
Children under 18 and pregnant guests are not allowed in the outdoor rock pool, but may use the indoor pools.
Our vans are not wheelchair accessible. However, we have enough room for a foldable one and the Hot Springs are wheelchair accessible. Please contact us before booking.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Cancellation for a full refund is possible if the minimum capacity is not reached or due to dangerous road conditions.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Chena Hot Springs Resort
After arriving at the resort, you'll be taken to the restaurant for a bite of lunch where you can sample some home grown Alaskan fare (optional and not included in price). Enjoy a hot or cold beverage at the bar or don your bathing suit and head to the hot springs. The revitalizing mineral water soothes muscles with its warm temperatures of 106 degrees F (41 degrees C) year-round. Stay in the hot springs, or hit one of the many trails around the resort in the chance you might see wildlife, or just enjoy the beauty of Alaska's great outdoors. You can also take an optional tour of the resort's greenhouse and geothermal plant to learn more about how the resort is generating its own electricity and aiming to be more self-sustaining.
Aurora Ice Museum
After arriving at Chena Hot Springs Resort, you'll enjoy a tour of the Aurora Ice Museum and marvel at the cool sculptures carved out of ice. You can also indulge in an Appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass (not included in price and photo ID required). Then check out the activities available or take a stroll in the expansive grounds. You will be shown to our table in the restaurant where you can enjoy some lunch and hot or cold beverages (optional and not included in price). Spend the rest of the afternoon soaking in the healing waters of the hot springs or wandering the surrounding trails enjoying Alaskan nature. Rejoin your group around 4pm and return to Fairbanks, keeping an eye out for wildlife and stunning scenery along the way.
What‘s Included
Hotel pick-up
Hotel drop-off
Driver/guide
Admission to the Ice museum and Hot Springs
Transportation to/from Chena Hot Springs
Gratuities
Food and drinks (restaurant and cafe/snack bar is available at the location.
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Chena Hot Springs Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
264 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Disappointing Last-Minute Cancellation
AndreS1338,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We booked a Chena Hot Springs tour with Alaska Wildlife Guide LLC for New Year’s Eve, but they canceled the afternoon before, citing weather as the reason. While I understand that cancellations can happen, we felt misled because we were able to quickly arrange our own transportation and had no issues getting there or back. The hot springs were open and fantastic, and so were the restaurant, the Ice Museum, and the dog sledding. Everything up there was operating normally and made for a great New Year’s Eve. I later noticed in the disclosures that tours may be canceled if there are not enough participants. If that was the actual reason, I would have appreciated more transparency. Canceling the day before, especially on a major holiday, almost left us without a plan. That said, the silver lining was that by arranging transportation ourselves, we ended up saving quite a bit of money and still had an excellent experience at Chena Hot Springs.
Schedule time to do this more than once on your trip!
Rsf0009,,Dec 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was wonderful, from the front desk staff to the hot springs it self. Had such a great time in the hot springs and wish I would have planned better so we could do this again. Appreciated the hot tub and pool when we came in from the hot spring.Only suggestion would be expanding on the dressing rooms for it was very difficult to change with lack of room and so, so many people.
Absolutely Wonder
X552JHjudyb,,Aug 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kathy and Racheal were absolutely wonderful very knowledgeable and helpful. Would absolutely recommend them to tour. Unfortunately they are not taking us to the artic circle. Thank you thank you thank you
Chena Springs tour
bethf909,,Aug 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a great experience! Jody was extremely knowledgeable and wonderful to talk with!! A great tour to finish out our Alaskan trip!
Fabulous relaxing and chilled experiences at Chena Hot Spings. Way more than we expected.
L9814XAdebm,,Aug 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely loved our time from the great service of our guide Gavin, the Ice Museum, beautiful lunch and the hot Springs which were so relaxing. Added bonus was getting to see the huskies and go dog mushing. Our tour guide Gavin was polite, friendly and entertaining. Absolutely loved it all.
A 5 Stars Guide
Q7581SFphilipb,,Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gina was our guide and she was the best!! Very knowledgeable and had a great personality. Told us not only about the sights we were seeing but also additional things about the area. She recommend several great places to eat and visit. She’s a 5 star guide!!
Awesome day in Fairbanks!
Coastal06263987526,,Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a wonderful experience seeing the sights and learning all about the history of Fairbanks with Gina. She was incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and kind. She even catered parts of the tour to include things we were more interested in. I highly recommend this tour!
Relaxing
Alison P,,Jul 31, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our time spent at Chena Hot Springs was relaxing and had lovely nature views while in the Springs. The resort is a little dated and needs some upgrades but all in all a worthwhile visit. The icehouse was just ok and afterwards we walked on a path to see the sled dogs. Lunch was yummy. Gavin was an outstation guide and pointed out wildlife on the trip! We saw moose, a swan family and eagles.
Chena hot springs
Fearless773683,,Jul 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kathy was a great driver and guide. Unfortunately we didn’t see any moose on the drive but Kathy tried to help us look for some. She was very informative about the area.
Great day at Chena Hot Springs!
Diana M,,Jul 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00No wildlife today to be found but Kathy tried! The Ice Palace was cool, even with the parkas. The Hot Springs weren’t very hot but they adjusted the temperature after we left. Everything was clean and well kept.
From US$210.00
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Operated by Alaska Wildlife Guide LLC