If you’re looking to truly disconnect while visiting Alaska, Chena Hot Springs is the place to visit. Located an hour and a half northwest of Fairbanks you’ll find yourself in a beautifully remote area of interior Alaska that is also completely without cell phone service. Here you’ll find the Chena Hot Springs resort which is located at naturally occurring geothermal hot springs.
Travel Guide: How to spend 3 days in Fairbanks
Chena Hot Springs is also a great location to view the aurora borealis (in the correct season) because it falls in the Aurora Oval path (just like Fairbanks). And, since the resort is a much more remote location there is less light pollution than in Fairbanks, making it one of the best locations to see the northern lights.
How to get to the Hot Springs
Driving
You can access the resort by driving just over an hour from Fairbanks, but I’d suggest planning a little extra time. Once you get further outside the city you’ll have a beautiful drive with different pullouts to stop and take photos or just enjoy the view. Also, you may see wildlife along the way. Each way to/from Chena we spotted Moose just off the highway, eating in the woods.
Be sure to start your directions or download an offline map ahead of time, as cell service will disconnect about 30-40 minutes prior to arriving in Chena.
The road will dead end at Chena so there shouldn’t be too much issue finding the resort. Make sure to have the appropriate vehicle if visiting in the winter.
Shuttle
The resort does provide shuttle service to and from Fairbanks for a hefty fee. However, in the winter with unpredictable weather, this may be a better option to have a driver that is seasoned in winter driving.
The shuttle requires 72 hours advance notice for requests.
Staying at the Chena Hot Springs Resort
Since the drive is 1.5 – 2 hours each way, it really is worth staying one night (or more) to get the full experience of everything they have to offer. Pool and lake access are free to guests staying at the resort along with free towel service. Guests have access to the pools the day of check out. Confirm with the resort for cut off time.
There are different options on where to stay at the resort. Note that the cabins and rooms are pretty rustic and bare bones. I stayed in the Fox Rooms which was a short walk to both the pool house and main lodge for food.
In the summer, for the more adventurous (or budget) traveler, there are yurts as well as camping spots available. These do not include pool access or amenities.
There also is no internet in the cabins or lodges. You can only access wifi at the activities center, main resort lodge (check-in, restaurant & gift shop), and pool house.
There are limited food options at the resort. There is a cafe in the activity center and a bar/restaurant in the main lodge. Be prepared that during peak hours you may need to wait for a table. Both meals at the lodge (dinner and breakfast) were very good.
Note: Stays here are not cheap. The typical price is $250-300 per night for a room. You’re paying for the experience of the resort (beautiful setting, hot springs, northern lights viewing).
If you are an Alaska resident, or in the military you can get significant discounts on your room rate.
What to do while visiting Chena Hot Springs
Year Round activities at Chena Hot Springs
Swim in the Pools
The most obvious reason for visiting the Chena Hot Springs is to use the hot spring pools. If you’re like me, there is nothing better than enjoying an outdoor hot spring (or hot tub) while the air is cool and crisp to wind down and relax.
Things to note:
Day passes are available for the pools for visitors not planning to stay at the resort. Reservations recommended to confirm availability.
There is an all ages indoor pool, an outdoor hot tub, and an adults only outdoor lake.
Outdoor “lake” – open from 7am – 11:45pm
This is an adults (18+) only area which is truly wonderful if you’re trying to disconnect without the screams of children echoing around you. You’ll find the lake to be very peaceful and relaxing.
The water is constantly being circulated, and the lake is drained and cleaned weekly to ensure that it stays clean. The lake water is not chlorinated.
Unlike other hot springs I’ve visited, there aren’t any real seats built into the lake area. There are some rocks that you may be able to lean against, otherwise expect to stand while in the lake
The water temperature varies throughout the pool, you’ll find some spots can be very warm and others that are cooler. The resort team checks the temperature regularly to make sure it’s at the right temperature, typically around 106 degrees. While this seems quite hot, you will typically only have very hot water at areas where it is being pumped into the lake, and it will be cooler in the middle as there’s no direct heat source to maintain the temperature.
** Note – while we visited the hot springs, the electricity went out most of the night during our stay, which meant the water pumps also went down and the water was much cooler for our morning dip.
Outdoor hot tub
This is all ages located directly outside the pool house
The hot tub is chlorinated like a typical hot tub.
While there, we were not able to use the hot tub as it was mostly occupied by couples and was super awkward.
Indoor pool & hot tub
There is an indoor pool and hot tub located within the pool house. Both the pool and hot tub are all ages. The pool is heated to about 90 degrees.
Chena Hot Springs Tours
Kennel Tours
Alaska is well known for dog sledding, especially with its world famous Iditerod race with sled teams racing from Nome to Anchorage every March. This tour will teach you more about the history of sled racing in Alaska as well as the variation of the Alaskan Husky, which is different from the better known Siberian and Malamute breeds.
“Kennel” is a very loose term as these dogs are housed outside. Following the intro you will go outside to meet the dogs. Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and layers as you will be outside for the majority of the tour interacting with the dogs.
The dogs are all individually chained so you can walk around and meet as many as you want. Some are much more outgoing and active (i.e. may jump on you) than others, but they are not aggressive; they just like attention and want pets. If you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see some husky puppies.
The tour lasts around 40 minutes, so with time to walk to and from the resort plan for at least an hour.
Aurora Ice Museum Tour
If visiting Alaska isn’t cold enough for you, you’ll have an opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the chill by taking the Aurora Ice Museum Tour. This is a fun and unique experience. Aside from the incredibly detailed large scale ice sculptures on display, (almost) everything else in the museum is made of ice from the bar, to the railings, to the bedrooms.
- You are able to pre-purchase an appletini that is served from the ice bar, in a martini glass made of ice. After finishing, you are supposed to take the glass outside, make a wish, and smash it on the ground for luck.
- My mom and I split a single drink which was more than enough as they are both strong and sweet.
- If you don’t have the right winter attire, warm jackets are available to use while inside the museum.
- There are 3 bedrooms within the museum that can be reserved for those brave enough to attempt sleeping in the museum overnight. To date no one has succeeded.
- This 45 minute tour will have you ready to promptly change and jump into the hot springs.
Geothermal Tour
The resort electricity is entirely powered by geothermal activity and renewable energy. This tour will walk through the basics of how they power the resort and their on site greenhouse to provide fresh product and herbs for the Chena Hot Springs Resort year round.
- I was not able to attend this tour as we opted for the kennel and ice museum tours instead.
Massage
There is massage therapy also available at the resort to maximize your relaxation during your stay.
Seasonal activities at Chena Hot Springs
There are additional activities and Chena Hot Springs tours available to book through the resort that change based on the season as listed below.
- Aurora Viewing
- Dog sled tour
- Snow mobile tour
- Ice fishing
- ATV tours
Additional posts on visiting Alaska
- Travel Guide: How to spend 3 days in Fairbanks
- Top Reasons to Visit Alaska in the Shoulder Season
- How to Travel from Anchorage to Seward Alaska
- The Best Things to do in Seward Alaska
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