Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase Tour

The Northern Lights are only half the story here. You spend the afternoon at Chena Hot Springs, then use the night to chase clear skies around Fairbanks. Guide Lindsay works hard to keep the chase moving when clouds spoil the first viewing spot, which matters on a once-in-a-lifetime Alaska night.

I like the long stay at the resort, since you are not forced to rush through a soak or meal. I also like the small group limit of seven, plus photography help and five edited aurora portraits when the photographer can capture them. The tradeoff is the long, cold day, and the aurora is never guaranteed.

Key points at a glance

• Chena Hot Springs fills the afternoon: Plan on roughly 3 to 6 hours for the hot springs, Ice Museum, geothermal tour, food, and resort grounds.
• Lindsay leads the aurora chase: The guide tracks NOAA and NASA data and may change locations when clouds block the lights.
• The day runs long: Expect about 10 to 14 hours, beginning with a 3 p.m. pickup.
• The price covers more than a ride: Transportation, aurora instruction, photography help, snacks, hot drinks, and five edited portraits are included.
• Several costs come later: The soaking pass is $20 per person, and the Ice Museum costs another $20.
• Cold-weather planning matters: Very young children may struggle with a full night outdoors, and remote viewing stops may have outdoor restroom arrangements.

Why this Chena and aurora combination works

Many Fairbanks aurora outings keep you waiting in one lodge or cabin. This one gives the day more shape. You head north to Chena Hot Springs in the afternoon, spend several hours doing as much or as little as you like, then return toward Fairbanks for a proper aurora chase.

That combination is useful because the aurora may not appear at the first stop. Clouds can block the sky over Chena, while clearer conditions sit elsewhere along the route. The tour is designed around movement rather than a single fixed viewing point.

You also get a chance to warm up before the night portion begins. The hot springs pass costs extra, but a soak can be a welcome break before hours outside. If you skip the water, the resort still gives you other ways to fill the afternoon.

The full outing lasts about 10 to 14 hours. That is a serious commitment, not a quick evening activity. I would avoid booking it on a night when you have an early flight, an important dinner, or a packed morning the next day.

Leaving Fairbanks at 3 p.m.

Pickup begins at 3 p.m. from lodgings in the Fairbanks or North Pole area, within the stated service area. Transportation is included for lodging within 25 miles of the Fairbanks airport. Pickup farther from central Fairbanks can add a fuel surcharge, and pickups within a 50-mile radius may also carry a fuel fee.

The drive to Chena Hot Springs gives you time to settle into the day. The guide may stop for scenery photos and wildlife spotting along the way, but sightings are never promised. Keep your camera ready, though, since the road trip is part of the experience rather than dead time between attractions.

The vehicle carries no more than seven people on the tour. That small group size should make it easier to ask questions, get help with camera settings, and adjust plans when the weather changes. It also means you should expect a personal outing rather than a large coach trip.

Spending three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs

At Chena Hot Springs, you get about three to six hours on the property. That broad time range gives the guide some flexibility and gives you room to choose your own pace.

The central choice is the hot springs soak. The entrance pass is not included and costs $20 per person. The warm mineral water can be a fine way to prepare for a cold night, but you should bring a swimsuit and be ready for the simple logistics of changing back into warm outdoor clothing.

The property also offers the Aurora Ice Museum, where ice sculptures and an ice bar create a very different kind of Alaska attraction. Admission costs $20 per person. The museum may suit you better than a long soak if you dislike hot water, or if you want a shorter indoor stop before the aurora portion.

A geothermal tour is another option. The supplied details do not specify the tour length or exact route, so ask the guide or resort staff about timing when you arrive. You will want to leave enough room for the evening departure and any meal.

There is a restaurant and deli on site. Food is not listed as included, so budget separately for a meal or snack. The tour does provide simple snacks, along with makings for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea later on.

Massages are available at the resort, but they need to be booked well in advance. Do not count on arranging one at the last minute. If a massage is important to you, contact the resort before booking the tour and confirm that the timing works with your travel date.

Choosing your Chena afternoon

You have enough time to combine activities, but probably not enough to do everything at a leisurely pace if you spend several hours soaking. A practical plan might be a soak, a meal, and a short look around the property. Another plan could be the Ice Museum, the geothermal tour, and dinner.

I like that the tour does not force everyone into one resort schedule. You can build a quiet afternoon or stay active. Still, the flexibility comes with a decision: you need to watch the clock and make sure you are back at the meeting point when the group leaves.

The resort stop is also the least predictable part of the day in terms of personal satisfaction. Some people will consider the hot springs the main event. Others will see it as a comfortable base before the aurora hunt. The extra admission charges make it worth deciding in advance which parts matter most to you.

Turning back toward Fairbanks for the aurora

After Chena Hot Springs, the tour shifts from a fixed resort visit to a moving search for clear skies. The guide tracks live reports from NOAA and NASA and uses current conditions to choose viewing areas.

Clouds are the main enemy. The aurora may be active overhead, but a thick cloud layer can hide it completely. The tour does not promise a sighting, and that honesty is important. No guide can control solar activity or local weather.

The supplied information notes that the aurora is visible in Fairbanks about nine out of ten nights from August through April when it is dark. That does not mean every show will be bright. Some displays are faint, while others are much stronger. You should book this as a well-planned chance, not a guaranteed performance.

The flexible chase plan is especially useful when the first location fails. Lindsay once kept working toward a better viewing area after several cloudy nights had already blocked the lights, and she found a spot despite generally cloudy conditions. That kind of persistence is exactly what you want from an aurora guide.

Still, a chase does not mean driving endlessly until the sky clears. The route, stopping points, and time outside depend on live conditions. You should expect cold, waiting, and some uncertainty even on a successful night.

What the photography help really adds

Photography support is included for both phones and cameras. The guide can help you set up for aurora pictures, which is useful because night photography often requires settings that are unfamiliar to casual photographers.

Five edited aurora portraits are included at the photographer’s discretion. This is a useful touch if you want a person in the picture rather than only a glowing sky. The wording matters: portraits depend on the photographer, the conditions, and the ability to capture a workable image.

You may rent a Sony A6600 mirrorless camera for $55 per booking or a Sony A7iii mirrorless camera for $50. A camera tripod costs $25, while a cellphone tripod costs $15. A memory card for a rental camera costs $15.

These extras are not necessary for everyone. If you already have a phone and want simple help, use the included instruction. If you want more control but do not own suitable equipment, compare the rental price with what you already have before adding anything.

Bring spare phone power if you have it. The tour data does not promise charging access, so it is sensible to start with a full battery. Keep your camera easy to reach rather than buried in luggage, since the guide may stop for scenery before the aurora chase begins.

Staying warm through a full Alaska night

The warm drinks and simple snacks are small additions, but they matter during a long night outside. You get the makings for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea, plus extra surprises depending on the weather.

Dress for standing and waiting, not just for walking from a vehicle to a building. The tour information warns that very young children may have trouble handling extreme cold for a full night. All ages are welcome, but families with small children should think carefully about the 10 to 14-hour schedule.

Restroom planning is less polished outside the resort. Chena Hot Springs has restrooms, but remote viewing areas may not have plumbing, and bathroom breaks are generally outside. That is a basic but important point to explain before you book, especially if you prefer frequent indoor facilities.

Alcoholic drinks at the Ice Bar are not included, and you must be over 21 for the martini. Since the aurora chase continues after the resort stop, keep your evening practical and follow the guide’s timing.

Is $285 a good value?

The listed price is $285 per person. That is not cheap, but it covers a long day with round-trip transportation from the Fairbanks area, the drive to Chena Hot Springs, a full aurora chase, aurora instruction, photography help, snacks, hot drink supplies, and the chance to receive five edited portraits.

The value improves if you would otherwise pay separately for transportation to Chena and a dedicated aurora tour. It also makes sense for you if you want a guide handling weather decisions and driving while you focus on the experience.

The price is less attractive if you only want a short aurora outing or if you plan to spend very little time at the resort. Add the $20 hot springs pass and the optional $20 Ice Museum admission, and the basic day becomes more expensive before food, tips, or equipment rental.

Gratuities are not included. If the guide spends the night adjusting the route, helping with your camera, and keeping the group comfortable, a tip is appropriate and appreciated.

Who should book this experience

I would choose this tour if you want one substantial Fairbanks day that combines a resort stop with a serious attempt to see the aurora. It fits couples, families with older children, and small groups that value personal guidance over a large bus operation.

It is also a good choice if you are unsure how to photograph the Northern Lights. The included help is more useful than simply being dropped at a dark viewing area and told to point your camera upward.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, cold waiting, flexible schedules, or outdoor restroom arrangements. I would also think twice if your main goal is a relaxing spa day, since the evening chase adds many hours and may end late.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but contact the provider in advance about mobility concerns or children under 12. The crew will try to accommodate specific needs, but remote stops and cold conditions can limit what is practical.

Booking and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided when you book. The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons, so choose your date carefully. If poor weather forces the operator to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

Because the aurora is a natural event, a cloudy night is always possible. Booking more than one potential aurora night during an Alaska stay can improve your odds, though this particular experience itself does not promise a sighting.

The tour is often booked well ahead, with an average booking lead time of about 37 days. That is especially worth noting for winter trips, when dates can fill before you arrive.

Should you book the Chena Hot Springs and Aurora Chase Tour?

Book it if you want a full, flexible day with Chena Hot Springs in the afternoon and a guided search for clearer skies at night. The strongest reasons are the small group, Lindsay’s persistent approach to changing cloud conditions, included photography help, and the combination of resort time with an active aurora chase.

Skip it if you need a short, predictable evening or cannot handle a long stretch in the cold. Also check the added cost of admission, food, and rentals before booking. For the right schedule and weather expectations, this is a well-rounded way to give yourself a real chance at the Northern Lights without arranging several separate outings.

FAQ

What time does the tour begin?

Pickup begins at 3 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience takes approximately 10 to 14 hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation to Chena Hot Springs and the aurora chase is included from eligible Fairbanks and North Pole area lodging. Pickup outside the central service area may involve a fuel surcharge.

Is the hot springs admission included?

No. The hot springs pass costs $20 per person.

Does the tour include Ice Museum admission?

No. Ice Museum admission costs $20 per person.

Is an aurora sighting guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon, and sightings cannot be guaranteed. The guide tracks live NOAA and NASA data, but thick clouds can prevent viewing.

Are photography services included?

Photography help for a phone or camera is included. Five edited aurora portraits may also be provided at the photographer’s discretion. Camera, tripod, and memory card rentals cost extra.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

All ages are welcome, but very young children may have difficulty staying outside in extreme cold for a full night. You should advise the provider if anyone in your party is under 12.