The 15 Best Hot Springs in the USA

1.Northern Lights & Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,278 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $250Our pick

You’ll drive from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for the Aurora Ice Museum, a 106°F mineral soak, optional dinner, and late-night aurora watching. Guides such as Savvy, Jessica, Tyler, Shannon, Gina, and Kathy have helped visitors find clear skies and safe viewing stops.

“Although the northern lights weren’t visible, we had a lovely time at the ice museum, restaurant and hot springs. It was a magical and very cold night. Savvy did a great job as our tour guide.”

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2.Small-Group Zipline Tour in Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 711 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $66Top rated

Meet guides at Adventureworks in Hot Springs for a 90-minute zipline tour through old-growth forest and over ponds. You’ll use provided gear, ride about 10 lines, hike between platforms, and tackle an 850-foot line 70 feet above the ground. Small groups make it easy to ask questions.

“Tanner and PJ were very great at what they were doing. They made our first experience a great one. Even though I'm very tall they still accommodated me”

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3.Hoover Dam & Hot Springs Kayak Tour with Lunch & Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 318 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $289

Kayak from the base of Hoover Dam through Black Canyon on a 12-mile flat-water route, stopping at Arizona Hot Springs and a sauna cave. Guides such as Ryan, Faith, Chris, Michael, and Ashley lead the trip, with equipment, lunch, snacks, and water included.

“Everything was great. Our guide Micheal was great. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. We had a great time.”

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4.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $210

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group and an English-speaking guide. Soak in 106°F mineral water, visit the Aurora Ice Museum, and learn how the resort uses geothermal power. Lunch, drinks, towels, and optional activities cost extra.

“Mediocre all around. Long drive if you’re only going for water. Facilities below average Hot pool ok but there are a lot better in other states”

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5.Lake Yellowstone Half Day Kayak Tours Past Geothermal Features

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 211 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $120

Meet your guide at Grant Village Marina for a four-hour paddle along Yellowstone Lake. Annie, Spencer, Matt, Megan, and other naturalist guides lead small groups past shoreline thermal features, explain the lake’s geology and wildlife, and provide kayaks, dry bags, snacks, and water.

“The kayaks and gear are very good, the guide, Matt, was great, the weather was nice. You paddle your kayak hugging the shore for about 4 miles, and you see the geothermal vapor from the kayak, not close. Still it was a good day to be out in the water kayaking.”

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6.Glacier Hiking & Geothermal Cave Pools Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 139 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Join Adventure Colorado Tours for an eight-hour small-group outing to St. Mary’s Glacier, Indian Hot Springs, and Idaho Springs. Guides such as Tyler, Dan, Trey, Matt, and Briana lead the 1.5-mile hike, provide snow gear when needed, and keep the day flexible for groups of up to four.

“Tyler was awesome. Great time. Loved the small group. Would highly recommend. Beautiful scenery, very knowledgeable and helpful guide. Exceeded expectations. Tyler went above and beyond.”

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7.Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour | Wildlife & Hot Springs | PRIVATE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 127 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $424

Start early from West Yellowstone for an eight-hour private tour with guides such as Tin, Mike, Lisa, Kat, and Spencer. See Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone Canyon, Hayden Valley, West Thumb, and more, with lunch, snacks, drinks, binoculars, and a spotting scope included.

“Very well organized, well timed lunch and restroom breaks, guide Lisa very knowledgeable without overloading us with information, very good with children, bringing coloring book for 5 year old and asking age appropriate questions for her. Felt that we saw major sites and came away with a much deeper knowledge of this national park. Lunch prepared well to suit individual wants/needs. Highly recommend.”

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8.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 117 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $200

Spend about six and a half hours traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs, with a guided visit to the Ice Museum, an optional geothermal tour, and time to soak. Guides such as Ash, Paul, Joe, Jeff, and Ed have led informative trips, though the guide and vehicle can vary.

“Our tour guide Ash was amazing. He is a true Alaskan with such an interesting life and wonderful stories. We did not realize the hot springs didn’t allow under 18 so that was a bummer but the ice museum was really fun and Ash made a little extra stop at a river bend (since we were really ahead of schedule).”

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9.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $215

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with an English-speaking guide and a group of up to 14. Tour the ice museum, eat at the resort, soak in 106°F mineral water, and search for the aurora before returning around 2 to 3 a.m.

“100% recomendado!! Los guías Dave y Ruby son excelentes y de lo más amables. Dave estuvo haciendo paradas en varios puntos para intentar observar las luces”

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10.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

Ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an Ice Museum visit, a warm soak, and a late-night aurora watch. Guides such as Ed, Jake, Paul, and Randy have helped make the long ride engaging, but the resort portion can feel self-guided. Bring swim shoes, dinner money, and serious cold-weather clothing.

“Northern lights tour experience had great potential. The ice museum was amazing. Unfortunately, with snow, the northern lights could not be seen. And because of having to close the Hot Springs didn’t get a chance to experience them at all. Awaiting a refund from Viator for partial on our experience.”

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11.Yellowstone Lake & Hot Springs / 3 Hour Morning or Twilight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Join Prismatic Tours at Grant Marina for a three-hour morning or twilight kayak trip on Yellowstone Lake. Guides such as Dylan, Maddi, Tiffany, and Allen provide gear, safety instruction, and stories about geology, wildlife, and park history as you paddle toward West Thumb Geyser Basin.

“Our guide Maddi was awesome! The weather was perfect, the water was calm and the scenery was breath taking. Maddi did a great job of explaining the different land and water features and making it fun for our whole family! Great all around experience!!”

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12.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · from $210

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks in a small group of up to 14 with an English-speaking guide such as Rachel or Jodie. Visit the Aurora Ice Museum, learn how Chena Hot Springs uses geothermal power, and soak in its mineral water. Food costs extra, and the rock pool has age and pregnancy restrictions.

“Really enjoyed our experience at Chena Hot Springs. Guide was friendly and knowledgeable, we had plenty of time to explore the ice museum, dog kennels, and take a long soak in the hot springs.”

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13.Chena Hot Spring Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 8 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $190

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 14 people. Soak in the included mineral pool, then consider the separately ticketed Aurora Ice Museum. Pickup, transport, and return to your hotel are included, with a total tour time of about six to seven hours.

“The place is great has decent lockers and showers. Id bring some quarters for the lockers if not they have some on hand. Bring flipflops or sandals the floor is cold on the path to the water. The water itself is very nice and u dont ferl the cold from outside. But bring something to cover ur ears just in case. The museum is also a nice experience and thr martini is good”

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14.Bryson City: Fontana Lake Guided Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3 reviews · 3 hours · from $54Best value

Join an English-speaking NOC guide for a relaxed kayak trip on Fontana Lake near Bryson City. Paddle a single or tandem kayak for 2 to 2.5 hours, watch for otters, kingfishers, and osprey, and enjoy mountain views. No experience is required, and children from age four can ride tandem.

“Wonderful staff and very relaxing and beautiful kayak trip.”

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15.Bryson City: Guided Sunset Kayaking Tour on Fontana Lake

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · 2h 30m · from $118

Join an English-speaking guide for a private 150-minute sunset paddle on Fontana Lake near Bryson City. Explore quiet coves, hear about Cherokee and Pioneer life, and learn how Fontana Dam reshaped the Smoky Mountains. Kayaks and safety gear are included, with no experience required.

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