Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase Tour

Chena Hot Springs is the clever part of this Fairbanks outing: you get a long soak and resort visit before heading out to search for the Northern Lights. I like the 3 to 6 hours at the resort, which gives you time for the springs, Ice Museum, food, or a geothermal tour instead of rushing through every stop. I also like the small group, capped at seven people, and the included photography help.

The catch is the long day, usually 10 to 14 hours, with a 3 p.m. start and a late return. You also pay extra for the hot springs and Ice Museum, and no one can promise an aurora. Still, guide Lindsay’s flexible chasing helped one group find the lights after three cloudy nights, which is exactly the kind of persistence you want.

Key points to know before booking

• Chena comes before the aurora: You spend roughly 3 to 6 hours at the resort before starting the evening chase.
• The day begins at 3 p.m.: Plan on returning to Fairbanks late, sometimes after a 10-hour outing and possibly closer to 14 hours.
• The group is small: A maximum of seven people makes photo help and weather decisions more personal.
• Five edited aurora portraits are included: The photographer decides which images are suitable for editing.
• Admission costs extra: The hot springs pass is $20 per person, and the Ice Museum is another $20.
• Aurora sightings are never guaranteed: The guide tracks NOAA and NASA data, but clouds can shut down the show.

A hot spring afternoon followed by a night chase

This experience pairs two very different Fairbanks attractions. First comes a relaxed visit to Chena Hot Springs Resort, about 56 miles northeast of Fairbanks. Later, the focus shifts to dark skies and the moving bands of the Aurora Borealis.

That combination makes the tour more useful than a short evening aurora outing if you want more than a roadside wait in the cold. You can spend the first part indoors or at the resort, then use the night portion to seek clearer skies. The tradeoff is time. This is not a quick add-on to a Fairbanks trip. It takes most of your day and night.

Pickup begins around 3 p.m. from lodging in Fairbanks or the North Pole area, with standard coverage described as within 25 miles of the airport. Pickup farther from central Fairbanks can bring a fuel surcharge, and service within a 50-mile radius may also involve an added fuel fee. Confirm your exact pickup cost before you pay.

The drive to Chena Hot Springs

The road to Chena gives the guide time to stop for scenery photos and wildlife watching. The description does not promise a particular animal sighting, so treat this as a chance to keep your eyes open rather than a formal wildlife safari.

The drive itself matters because the resort is far enough from Fairbanks to feel like a proper outing. You leave the city behind and reach a place built around geothermal water, cold-weather recreation, and the northern night. Still, remember that every photo stop and road delay uses some of your available resort time or pushes the return later.

The vehicle carries no more than seven people on the tour. That is a useful size for a long drive. You are less likely to feel lost in a large coach group, and you can ask about the aurora, local conditions, or photography as the evening develops.

Three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs Resort

Once you arrive, you have about three to six hours to choose how to spend your time. The tour allows room for personal choice, which is good because not everyone wants the same kind of afternoon.

The main draw is the hot springs. Admission costs $20 per person and is not included in the tour price. If you plan to use the springs, bring that extra amount into your budget. You should also be ready for the practical reality of a long day: changing, drying off, eating, and getting ready for a cold night all take time.

The Ice Museum is another option. Admission is also $20 per person. It gives you something unusual to see on a warm-weather resort property and makes sense if you want a break from soaking. Alcoholic drinks at the Ice Bar are available only to people over 21.

You can also take the Geothermal Tour and look around the property. The information provided does not state that the geothermal tour is included, so ask the operator or resort about any separate fee and schedule before relying on it.

Food is available at the on-site restaurant and deli. Simple snacks, along with supplies for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea, are included with the tour. That is helpful later during the aurora chase, but I would not treat it as a full dinner plan. If you expect to be out until the early morning, use the resort’s food options to make the long night easier.

Massages are offered at the resort, but they must be booked well in advance. This is not a last-minute extra to count on. If a massage is part of your plan, arrange it before the tour date and allow enough time for the rest of the visit.

The switch from resort time to aurora hunting

After your time at Chena, you leave the resort and head back toward Fairbanks for the Aurora Chase. This is where the outing becomes less predictable. The guide tracks live information from NOAA and NASA and chooses viewing areas according to conditions.

An aurora chase is not the same as sitting at one fixed viewing site. The aim is to respond to cloud cover and current reports. That can improve your chances, but it also means you may spend part of the night in the vehicle or at remote pullouts rather than in a polished visitor center.

The guide gives an aurora discussion as part of every tour. You learn the science behind the lights instead of simply waiting for green streaks overhead. I value that because the sky may show only a faint glow, and understanding what you are seeing makes a quieter display more worthwhile.

The provider says the aurora can be seen in Fairbanks nine out of ten nights from August through April when it is dark. That is a broad seasonal estimate, not a promise for your particular night. Thick clouds are the main barrier, and even a clear sky may produce a faint show.

Photography help and included portraits

Photography support is included for both phones and cameras. That matters in the dark, where a few simple settings can make the difference between a black screen and a usable image. You can ask for help with your own equipment rather than paying for a photography lesson separately.

The tour also includes five edited photography portraits with the aurora, at the photographer’s discretion. Read that wording carefully. Five edited images are part of the experience, but the photographer decides which images are suitable and how the final selection is handled.

Camera gear is available for an added fee. A Sony A6600 mirrorless camera costs $55 per booking, while a Sony A7iii costs $50 per booking. A camera tripod is $25, and a cellphone tripod is $15. A memory card for a rental camera costs $15. These charges can add up, so you may get better value by bringing your own camera or phone and using the included help.

The photography portion is especially useful if you want a portrait rather than only a sky photo. Keep expectations sensible. The aurora is natural, and the quality of the portraits depends on the sky, darkness, weather, and the photographer’s judgment.

Why the guide can make or break the night

The strongest praise in the available feedback centers on Lindsay, who is described as informative, enthusiastic, and determined to keep searching. One group had three nights of solid cloud cover and saw the lights on its final possible night after Lindsay kept working to find a clearer spot. Another outing found a good viewing place despite a generally cloudy day.

That does not remove the risk of bad weather. It does show why a flexible guide matters. A fixed viewing site cannot change the sky, while an active chase can respond to new cloud breaks and updated aurora data.

Your guide also handles the practical side of the night: warm drinks, snacks, photography help, and decisions about where to stop. Ask questions early, especially if you need help with a camera or have mobility concerns. The operator says it will try to accommodate specific mobility needs, but remote viewing areas may not have paved paths or indoor facilities.

Cold, bathrooms, and the reality of a remote night

You should dress for extended time outdoors in severe cold. Very young children may have a hard time staying outside for a full night, even though all ages are welcome. Families with children under 12 are asked to advise the operator in advance.

Bathroom access is limited during the chase. The resort has restrooms, but many remote areas used during the night have no plumbing, so breaks are generally outdoors. This is a small detail with a big effect on comfort. Use the resort facilities before leaving and plan clothing accordingly.

The tour can run from 10 to 14 hours. That range is wide because weather, road conditions, stops, and the chase itself can change the schedule. You need enough energy for a late return, and you should avoid booking a demanding early-morning activity the next day.

Is $285 a fair price?

The $285 per-person price is not cheap, but it covers more than a simple ride to an aurora viewpoint. You receive pickup, round-trip transportation to Chena, resort time, a full Aurora Chase, the aurora discussion, photo help, snacks, hot drink supplies, and the possibility of five edited portraits.

The value improves if you already planned to visit Chena Hot Springs and wanted a separate aurora outing. Combining both saves you from arranging two trips and gives you a full day with one guide and one transport plan.

Extra fees change the final cost. Add $20 for the hot springs pass and another $20 for the Ice Museum if you want both. A massage, rental camera, tripod, memory card, meals, drinks, and gratuity can raise the total further. For two people choosing both admissions, the basic combined cost becomes $365 per person before food, rentals, fuel surcharges, or tips.

I would compare the price with the cost of arranging transportation to Chena on your own, then booking a separate evening chase. The small group and included portraits may justify the difference for you. If you only want a basic aurora outing, this package may include more resort time and expense than you need.

Who should book this long Fairbanks outing?

I would choose this tour if you want Chena Hot Springs and an aurora chase in one day, prefer a small group, and value help with night photography. It suits adults and older children who can handle a long schedule, cold outdoor waits, and a late return.

It is also a good fit if you have limited nights in Fairbanks. One strong aurora night is never assured, but an active guide gives you a better response to changing clouds than a fixed plan. Lindsay’s persistence is a real reason to consider this outing, though natural conditions still control the result.

I would hesitate if you dislike long drives, need guaranteed indoor bathrooms, or want a tightly timed evening. The tour may last 14 hours, and remote viewing spots are basic. Families with very young children should think carefully about the cold and length of the night.

The tour is offered in English. Most people can participate, but contact the operator ahead of time about mobility needs, children under 12, or pickup outside the standard area.

Cancellation and weather rules

The experience is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons after booking. If you cancel or request an amendment, the amount paid is not refunded, so book only when your plans are firm.

Weather works differently. If the operator cancels because conditions are poor, you are offered another date or a full refund. The operator does not guarantee an aurora sighting, and that risk remains even on a clear night.

Should you book the Chena Hot Springs and Aurora Chase?

Book it if you want a full Fairbanks night built around two highlights, not just a quick look at the sky. The small group, Lindsay’s active approach, included photo help, and long Chena visit give the $285 price a reasonable case.

Skip it if you want a short, low-cost aurora watch, need a predictable finish time, or do not care about the hot springs. The extra admission fees and 10 to 14-hour schedule are easy to underestimate.

My practical advice: book well ahead, since the experience averages about 37 days of advance booking. Bring warm clothing, plan for outdoor bathroom breaks, budget for the $20 hot springs pass, and keep your final night flexible enough to accept the aurora for what it is: a natural show, not a scheduled performance.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 3 p.m.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately 10 to 14 hours.

Is pickup included?

Pickup and transportation are included from lodging within the Fairbanks or North Pole area, within 25 miles of the airport. Pickup farther away may involve a fuel surcharge.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is seven people.

Is the Chena Hot Springs admission included?

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

Is the Ice Museum admission included?

No. Admission to the Ice Museum costs $20 per person.

Is food included?

Simple snacks and supplies for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea are provided. Chena Hot Springs Resort also has a restaurant and deli.

Is an aurora sighting guaranteed?

No. The Aurora Borealis is a natural event and cannot be fully predicted. Thick clouds can prevent viewing.

Can I rent photography equipment?

Yes. Camera, tripod, cellphone tripod, and memory card rentals are available for extra fees.

Are edited photos included?

The tour includes five edited aurora portraits, at the photographer’s discretion.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered a different date or a full refund if the experience is canceled because of poor weather.