Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase Tour

Chase the lights after a soak. This Fairbanks outing pairs a long afternoon at Chena Hot Springs with an evening aurora hunt, giving you two very different Alaska experiences in one day. I like the generous three to six hours at the resort, and I like that the small group, capped at seven, includes photography help and five edited aurora portraits at the photographer’s discretion. The main catch is simple: the northern lights cannot be promised, and the full outing can run 10 to 14 hours.

Guide Lindsay earns special credit here. On one difficult night with heavy cloud cover, she kept working toward a viewing spot and found success on the final possible evening for one party. That kind of persistence matters on an aurora chase. Still, you should be ready for a late return, outdoor bathroom stops away from the resort, and extra charges for hot springs access, the Ice Museum, rentals, and tips.

Key points to know before booking

• Two Alaska highlights in one long day: Spend the afternoon at Chena Hot Springs, then use the return drive for a full aurora chase.
• Small groups help: A maximum of seven people makes photography advice and weather-related decisions more personal.
• Lindsay is a strong guide: Her effort to find clear skies, even after several cloudy nights, is one of the tour’s biggest strengths.
• The resort time is flexible: You can soak, visit the Ice Museum and Hotel, take the geothermal tour, eat, or simply enjoy the property.
• Photography help is included: Bring a phone or camera and get assistance with settings, plus five edited aurora portraits when the photographer decides conditions allow.
• Budget for add-ons: The $285 price does not include the $20 hot springs pass, the $20 Ice Museum admission, equipment rentals, or gratuities.

One long Fairbanks day, split between steam and stars

This tour begins with a 3:00 pm pickup from Fairbanks or the North Pole area, then heads toward Chena Hot Springs. The total outing lasts about 10 to 14 hours, so you are signing up for a full day and much of a night, not a quick side trip.

That long schedule makes sense. Chena Hot Springs is far enough from Fairbanks to require real driving time, and an aurora hunt works best when the guide can adjust to cloud cover and changing conditions. You are not simply taken to one parking area, shown the sky, and driven home. The return portion becomes a full aurora chase, with the guide tracking current data and looking for a better viewing area if weather gets in the way.

I like this format because it removes a common problem with northern lights trips: waiting around in Fairbanks with no plan. You have a substantial afternoon activity first. If the aurora appears later, the day feels full. If clouds block the show, you have still had time at one of the area’s best-known hot spring resorts.

The tradeoff is stamina. After several hours at Chena, you may be tired before the night hunt even begins. A warm soak can make you sleepy, and the return trip may finish very late. This is best for people who can handle a long day in winter conditions.

The drive from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs

The journey leaves Fairbanks in the middle of the afternoon, with time for scenery stops and possible wildlife watching along the way. The exact stops depend on conditions, but the drive is not treated as dead time. You may have chances to take photographs and look for animals before reaching the resort.

Pickup is available from lodging in Fairbanks or the North Pole area within 25 miles of the airport. A small fuel surcharge applies if your pickup point is more than 10 miles from central Fairbanks, and pickup can be arranged within a 50-mile radius for a fuel fee.

The vehicle ride is part of the practical value here. You do not need to rent a car, navigate winter roads, or worry about driving back after midnight. That matters even more if you plan to drink nothing stronger than hot cocoa and spend the night watching the sky.

The group limit is seven. That is a useful middle ground: more social than a private outing, but small enough that the guide can help with cameras and adjust plans without managing a busload of people.

Three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs Resort

You get approximately three to six hours at Chena Hot Springs Resort, a wide window that lets you shape the afternoon around your interests. The hot springs pass is not included, and costs $20 per person.

The obvious choice is a soak. After the ride from Fairbanks, the warm water gives you a clear change of pace before the colder night ahead. You should know that the resort experience is not all-inclusive with the tour fee. The pass must be paid separately, so add it to the advertised $285 price when comparing this outing with other Fairbanks options.

The resort also offers several other ways to spend your time:

• The Ice Museum and Hotel, with a separate $20 admission fee
• A geothermal tour
• A restaurant and deli
• Massages, which need to be booked well in advance
• General time to enjoy the property

This flexibility is one of the tour’s best features. You can soak and keep the afternoon simple, or add the Ice Museum and geothermal tour for a fuller visit. If a massage appeals to you, do not wait until arrival. The information provided says appointments need to be arranged far ahead.

The Ice Museum adds a distinctly Alaskan touch, but it is not included in the tour price. If you are watching your spending, choose the hot springs and skip the museum. If you want a fuller resort visit and do not mind paying more, both admissions can make the long stop feel worthwhile.

Food is available at the restaurant and deli, but meals are not listed as included. Plan to buy food on site or ask the operator what timing is expected for meals. Simple snacks and makings for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea are provided during the tour, which helps once the evening turns cold.

Leaving the resort for the aurora chase

After your resort time, the guide heads back toward Fairbanks and begins the aurora portion of the outing. The schedule is deliberately flexible because the northern lights are a natural event, not a timed performance.

The operator tracks live information from NOAA and NASA. That does not guarantee a display, but it gives the guide useful data for decisions about cloud cover and aurora activity. The provided information says the aurora is visible in Fairbanks nine out of ten nights from August through April when it is dark. Treat that as a favorable regional statistic, not a promise for your exact night. Some shows are faint, some are strong, and thick clouds can block viewing entirely.

This is where Lindsay’s role matters. One party had already endured three nights of solid cloud cover and was facing its final possible night. Lindsay kept working to find a viewing opportunity, and another party also reached a pleasant viewing spot despite a generally cloudy day. Those details point to the tour’s strongest quality: the guide does not treat the first cloudy patch as the end of the night.

Still, patience is required. The aurora may appear late, briefly, or faintly. You may also spend time in remote areas with limited facilities. Away from the resort, bathroom breaks are generally outside because many viewing areas have no plumbing. The resort itself has restrooms, so use them before leaving.

Photography help and five edited portraits

Photography support is included with every tour, and it covers both phones and cameras. That is more useful than it may sound. Aurora photography often requires different settings from ordinary night pictures, and a quick bit of guidance can help you avoid returning with a collection of black screens.

The tour also includes photography portraits with the aurora, with five edited photos provided at the photographer’s discretion. The wording matters: the portraits are not an automatic guarantee for every person or every night. Conditions, timing, and the photographer’s judgment affect what can be produced.

You can bring your own phone or camera. If you need equipment, rentals are extra:

• Sony A6600 mirrorless camera: $55 per booking
• Sony A7iii mirrorless camera: $50 per booking
• Camera tripod: $25
• Cellphone tripod: $15
• Memory card for a rental camera: $15

The rental prices should be added to your budget before booking. A tripod may be worthwhile if you want to try your own long-exposure pictures, but ask about availability and setup during the reservation process. The included help is likely most valuable for people using equipment they already understand only partly.

Simple snacks and hot drink supplies are included. Those small comforts matter during a long wait in the cold, especially when you are standing outside for a possible break in the clouds.

What the $285 price really covers

At $285 per person, this is not a low-cost evening outing. But the price includes round-trip transportation from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs, the resort visit, a full aurora chase, guide support, photography assistance, snacks, hot drink supplies, and the chance to receive five edited portraits.

The value depends on how you would otherwise arrange the day. A rental car would add its own cost, winter driving responsibility, fuel, and parking concerns. Booking a separate Chena visit and a separate aurora chase could also take more time and produce a less convenient schedule. Here, one reservation handles the long drive and the night search.

The extra charges keep the real price higher. Add $20 for the hot springs pass, another $20 for the Ice Museum if you choose it, and any camera equipment or tip. A person who uses both main admissions pays at least $325 before gratuity. That is still reasonable for a 10 to 14-hour outing, but you should compare the final total, not just the headline price.

I see the strongest value for someone who wants convenience, a small group, and hands-on help. If you only want a quick soak, this is too much time. If you only want to photograph the aurora, the resort portion may feel like an expensive detour. If you want both, the combined schedule makes better sense.

Cold weather, children, and mobility notes

All ages are welcome, but very young children may struggle with a full night in extreme cold. Tell the operator if anyone in your party is under 12, and ask ahead about the conditions expected during your date.

Most people can participate, but you should contact the operator about specific mobility needs. The team will do its best to accommodate you, though the remote viewing portions may involve outdoor areas without plumbing and may not offer the same convenience as the resort.

Dress for a long period outside, even if you plan to spend part of the day soaking. The hot springs can make you feel warm and relaxed, but the aurora chase is a separate cold-weather activity. Use the resort restroom before leaving and keep expectations realistic about facilities in remote areas.

Booking timing and weather risk

This experience is often booked about 37 days ahead, so popular dates may fill well before the trip. Confirmation arrives at booking, and pickup details should be provided carefully, especially if your lodging is outside central Fairbanks.

The cancellation terms are strict. Your booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons. If the operator cancels because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

That weather clause is important because the aurora itself is never guaranteed. The operator does its best to follow NOAA and NASA data, but no guide can control cloud cover or solar activity. If seeing the lights is the single purpose of your Alaska trip, consider allowing more than one night for the attempt. This tour gives you a serious chase, not certainty.

Who should book this Fairbanks outing?

I would choose this tour if you want one organized day that combines Chena Hot Springs and aurora hunting. It suits couples, small families with older children, solo visitors who prefer help with transport, and photographers who want advice without booking a fully private guide.

It is also a good choice for a final-night attempt. Lindsay’s effort to find a viewing area after several cloudy nights shows why a skilled guide can matter when conditions are marginal.

I would think twice if you dislike long vehicle rides, need predictable indoor facilities, or want a relaxed spa afternoon without a late night. The duration can stretch to 14 hours, and the cold, remote stops are part of the deal.

Should you book the Chena Hot Springs plus Aurora Chase?

Book it if you value convenience, small-group attention, and a guide willing to keep searching when clouds spoil the first plan. The resort time gives you a solid daytime activity, while the return journey provides a serious attempt at seeing the aurora.

Skip it if you want a short tour, a guaranteed light show, or the lowest possible total cost. Before paying, add the hot springs admission, any Ice Museum ticket, equipment rentals, and gratuity to your budget. For the right visitor, this is a smart way to combine two Fairbanks highlights without driving yourself through a long and uncertain Alaskan night.

FAQ

What time does the tour start?

Pickup begins at 3:00 pm.

How long does the experience last?

The full outing lasts approximately 10 to 14 hours.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Round-trip transportation from Fairbanks or North Pole area lodging within 25 miles of the airport is included. Pickup farther from central Fairbanks may involve a fuel surcharge, and pickup can be arranged within a 50-mile radius for a fuel fee.

What is the maximum group size?

The tour has a maximum of seven travelers.

Is the hot springs admission included?

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

Is the Ice Museum included?

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

Is the aurora guaranteed?

No. The aurora is a natural phenomenon and cannot be guaranteed. Thick clouds can prevent viewing.

Are snacks and hot drinks provided?

Yes. Simple snacks and makings for hot cocoa, instant coffee, or tea are provided.

What happens if poor weather cancels the tour?

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