Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour
Overview
Available languages
10 hours
Mobile ticket
Embark on one of our most popular evening adventures to Chena Hot Springs Resort, a renowned Alaskan getaway just 60 miles from Fairbanks. Keep an eye out for moose, fox, or beavers as you travel through the scenic interior.
Your night begins with a guided tour of the Aurora Ice Museum, home to stunning ice sculptures and the famous ice bar, where you can optionally enjoy an Appletini in a hand-carved ice glass. Then relax with dinner or a drink in the cozy resort restaurant, featuring fresh, locally sourced produce (meal not included).
Afterward, soak in the outdoor mineral hot springs, a rejuvenating experience under the stars, or explore the snowy grounds while waiting for a chance to witness the magical Aurora Borealis. Your guide will point out the best spots for viewing and provide tips to make the most of the night.
PLEASE NOTE:
You are eligible for a full refund up to 7 days before your tour.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in cold weather conditions; please dress appropriately
Please don't forget to bring bathing suits, bath towels, at least 2 quarter for each locker and photo ID for purchases at the bar.
The outside rock pool is only allowed for adults 18 years and up. However, children are allowed in the inside pool.
Pregnant travelers are not allowed in the outside rock pool.
We have enough room for a foldable wheelchair. The hot springs are wheelchair accessible.
We can only pick up from inside the city limits of Fairbanks or North Pole. For other locations, you will need to go to an agreed location (eg Walmart), please contact our office to discuss if you are staying outside the city limits.
Water is not supplied for this tour. We recommending bringing a refillable water bottle.
Every guest must sign a waiver before any tour so they clearly acknowledge the inherent risks of wilderness travel, assume responsibility for their own safety, and confirm they are medically able to participate.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Aurora Ice Museum
After being picked up, sit back, relax and enjoy the 60 mile (97 kms) journey out to Chena Hot Springs Resort. Keep a lookout for wildlife that might include a moose, beaver or fox. Upon arrival, you’ll be given 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 (optional-not included in price). You will then be shown to our table in the restaurant where you can enjoy some dinner and hot or cold beverages (optional and not included in price). Rejoin your group a little after midnight and head back to Fairbanks. Your guide may make a few stops along the way for further aurora viewing if it is active. Please note the aurora is an act of nature and it's appearance cannot be guaranteed.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
After arriving at the resort, you'll be taken to the restaurant 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. You can soak under the stars in an outdoor hot tub, or indoors in the heated pool. When ready, join your expert guide for a small-group outing to view the Aurora Borealis. Your guide will lead you through one of the best places on earth to 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. The lights are also visible inside the cafe's Aurora Room, which serves as a comfortable and warm location for viewings. Note: We can never guarantee the Northern lights sighting.
What‘s Included
Admission to the Aurora Ice Museum
Resort Pool-Passes (outdoor hot springs, hot tubs & swimming areas)
Hotel Pick-Up/Drop-Off Services
Local Guide
Standing Dinner Reservation
Gratuities
Resort Restaurant Meal Cost
Towels
Options
Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
1,328 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Don't waist your time and money with this company
M240YZrichardb,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00We had 2 tour trips with this company, Alaska Wildlife Guide, on March 13 & 14 2026. The only reason the first “Northern Lights & Aurora Lodge Viewing tour” was good is because we had Christopher who was filling in for the night because someone didn’t show up to work or something. He has his own small company which I cannot recall the name of, sorry, is not an employee of Alaska Wildlife Guide. I wish I knew his company’s name because he and his brother are awesome. But the next night we had scheduled with Alaska Wildlife “Northern lights and Chena Hot Spring Tour” and it was the worse evening ever. Our “tour guide” was Dylan with 2 wks experience and although a nice enough guy he had no idea how to be a tour guide. He was clueless and clearly had not been trained. I have a number of points so if your interested let’s get started. 1) He could drive the van although he drove so fast and it was so bumpy on the way out that one person sitting in the front throw up! 2) the company told us our pick-up time was 3:45pm, they told the other 7 people the same time but we were not picked up until 5:30pm then Dylan asked if anyone needed to use the restroom before our hour drive and one person said yes so Dylan started driving around town to find a restroom. The first place refused to let us use their restroom. We ended up at a 7-11 then almost everyone got out of the van to I guess use the restroom and buy snacks including Dylan. Then he sat and ate his snack. Final we got on the road toward the Hot Springs. 2) He drove 10 miles over the speed limit on the way out hitting every bump and sometimes it felt like we got airborne which I am sure is why the person throw up. Everyone complained to him and on the way back to town he drove 15 miles per hour UNDER the speed limit. 3) Dylan played extremely loud inappropriate music both ways even after someone complained about the vulgar lyrics. This caused my friend and I to get headaches and honestly be in a bad mood and it was hard to enjoy anything about this tour 4) windows so fogged up couldn’t see out to enjoy the view ~is this normal? 5) at the Hot Springs very few instructions or assistance was giving to any of us. We were basically on our own. He did tell us when to meet for dinner and got our table but that was the extent of his interaction with us. 6) we had to track him down to find out what time we were to leave. He said it was up to us ~ weird because with 9 people who gets to decide. 7) Stopped twice to “see the Northern Lights” on the side of the road heading back to town with not much instruction or help to see the them (they were out!!) but by the time I got out of the van people were finished with their 2min look and ready to leave so no time to watch the lights or get pictures which is the main focus of the tour. It’s in the title!!! After the second stop with the same problems, it was decided by the group not to stop again. It really was a waist of time. So sad because the Northern Lights where in the skies. Very disappointing 8) everyone seemed annoyed with Dylan and he seemed clueless to this fact 9) We did not learn one single fact about Alaska on this tour. Dylan did not seem to know one of his jobs was to make us fall in love with his state with interesting facts and tidbits. I assume if he had truly gotten proper training, he would have avoided a lot of what I have listed here. So really the company is to blame. This was by far the worst tour I have ever been on and I have emailed the company explaining all of these issues. So please think twice before spending our money with this company.
Northern Lights
FloOsborne,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The Northern lights and hit springs were wonderful but the rooms felt a little dated
Trip of a Lifetime
Travel11761575861,Apr 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the trip of a lifetime. Jessica was a fantastic guide. She made sure we saw the Northern Lights and it was amazing. Wading in the Chena Hot Springs was medicine for my soul. After spending time in the hot springs I slept soundly and without any pain.
It’s a wonderful...
Rebecca R,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It’s a wonderful experience and worth the cost! Bring flip flops or shower shoes. That was one thing not listed on the site to bring with you.
Great tour, restaurant is a hot mess
KingstonNate,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour operator itself was great, Dylan was an excellent guide. The ice museum, apple martini and hot springs at Chena are well worth the trip. However, the Chena Resort is disorganized, the wait for a table in the restaurant was over an hour. Staff should advised guests it will be a long wait so they can go do something else (hot springs) and come back later. We were on the list and despite there being empty tables, it took an inordinate amount to get seated. The staff in general at the Chena resort, just seemed untrained and unprofessional. Also hearing inappropriate criticisms about America is neither what I paid for nor want to hear from the foreign staff.
Night at Chena Hot Springs.
I8182RFbrendag,Mar 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The Ice Museum was kind of boring. Really hard to see anything because of lighting. There should be a non alcoholic drink for the ice cups. That would have been a nice experience. The restaurant wait is too long (we opted to eat in Cafe/gift shop) and the choices in the cafe were limited. Though the lettuce in the salad (from the cafe) was very good. The walkway into the hot springs should be heated. The viewing room for the Aurora should be larger to accommodate all the people who wanted to be in there. The people there were nice. Our guide Dillan was the best. Explained where we needed to be and when. Kept in communication with us. He was able to stop safely and let us take pictures of Moose. On the drive back he stopped at locations to hunt for Auroras but it just wasn’t meant for us to see any big views that night. Would have been nice to have windows we could lower to take pictures without getting out of vehicle.
Northern Lights
Theresa D,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The whole experience was amazing from the ice museum to the hot springs. The Northern Lights were wonderful. Dress warm and have heated gloves. Bring a tripod for the Northern Light pictures.
Great experience
599macarenaz,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Amazing experience! Totally recommend , the tour guy was really nice and friendly, the place is beautiful! You are in the hot spring with -30C is just unbelievable
An Extraordinary Excursion
SalukiAdventurer,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had hoped to see some moose on the ride up, and were not disappointed. We saw about a dozen in all. Our guide, Ryan, was happy to stop so we could get photos from the van. It was one of many ways he made the trip a big hit. We especially enjoyed his stories about hunting and fishing in Alaska, and took away some recommendations for a future trip. The Ice Museum was interesting. There weren’t many sculptures but the ones on display were intricately carved and the Appletinis were a unique treat. We really enjoyed dinner at the resort’s restaurant and then took a dip in the hot springs. The locker room was crowded, but getting in and out of the springs was easier than anticipated. It was a bit brisk, to be sure, but manageable to scurry up the 20-foot ramp to grab your towel and get inside. No auroras for us that night, but we definitely had fun.
Do not miss this one!
Kimberly A,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an incredible excursion and an absolute MUST if you're visiting Fairbanks! We had dinner at the on‑site restaurant; the standout dish by far was the Clam Chowder (so delicious!)—the rest of the menu was just okay. But the Hot Springs? Absolutely AMAZING. Some of our best photos from the entire trip came from capturing the auroras at Chena Hot Springs and even on the drive back to the lodge. It was such a magical experience. If you’re in Fairbanks, do not skip this. 10/10 recommend!
From US$250.00
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Operated by Alaska Wild Lights