Chena Hot Springs and Northern Lights tour from Fairbanks

Reviews

What travellers say4.6 · 1,331 total

• 599macarenaz

  Great experience

  It was a wonderful experience that I highly recommend. The tour guide was incredibly nice and friendly, and the location is stunning. Being in the hot spring with temperatures at -30C is just incredible.

• Theresa_D

  Northern Lights

  The entire experience was fantastic, from the ice museum to the hot springs. The Northern Lights were spectacular. Make sure to dress warmly and use heated gloves. A tripod is essential for capturing the Northern Lights photos.

• I8182RFbrendag

  Night at Chena Hot Springs.

  The Ice Museum lacked excitement and visibility due to poor lighting. A non-alcoholic drink option for the ice cups would have enhanced the experience. We faced a long wait at the restaurant, opting instead for a limited menu in the cafe, though the salad lettuce was quite fresh. The walkway to the hot springs could benefit from heating. The Aurora viewing room needs to be bigger for the number of visitors. Everyone was friendly, and our guide, Dillan, was outstanding. He provided clear instructions and kept us informed. He even stopped safely for us to photograph moose. On the return trip, he looked for Auroras, but we didn't see any significant views that night. It would have been helpful to have windows that we could open for taking pictures without leaving the vehicle.

• KingstonNate

  Great tour, restaurant is a hot mess

  The tour itself was excellent, with Dylan serving as a superb guide. The ice museum, apple martini, and hot springs at Chena make it a worthwhile journey. However, the Chena Resort was disorganized; we waited over an hour for a table. Guests should be informed about the long wait to pursue other activities, like the hot springs, before returning. Even though we were on the list and many tables were free, it took an unreasonably long time to be seated. Generally, the staff at Chena Resort appeared untrained and unprofessional. Additionally, I found the inappropriate comments about America from foreign staff unwelcome and not what I had paid for.

• Rebecca_R

  It’s a wonderful...

  This experience is truly fantastic and well worth the money. Make sure to bring flip flops or shower shoes, as that essential detail was not mentioned on the site.

• Travel11761575861

  Trip of a Lifetime

  This trip was truly unforgettable. Jessica was an excellent guide who ensured we experienced the Northern Lights, which was breathtaking. Relaxing in the Chena Hot Springs felt rejuvenating, and after that, I enjoyed a deep sleep free of discomfort.

• FloOsborne

  Northern Lights

  The hot springs and Northern Lights were fantastic, but the accommodations seemed somewhat outdated.

• M240YZrichardb

  Don't waist your time and money with this company

  We took two tours with Alaska Wildlife Guide on March 13 and 14, 2026. The first tour, the "Northern Lights & Aurora Lodge Viewing," was enjoyable thanks to Christopher, a fill-in guide from his own small company, who was excellent. However, the follow-up "Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour" led by Dylan, a guide with only two weeks of experience, was terribly disappointing. Dylan drove too fast over bumpy roads, causing one person to get sick. We waited for over an hour for pickup that was supposed to be at 3:45 PM. After that, he took a detour to find a restroom, making us stop at a 7-11 where he ate snacks. Once on our way to the Hot Springs, he continued to drive poorly—10 miles over the speed limit at times. Dylan played loud and inappropriate music despite complaints, which spoiled the mood and caused headaches. The windows were fogged up, limiting our view. At the Hot Springs, he offered minimal guidance, leaving us mostly to figure things out on our own. We had to track him down for departure instructions, which were vague. We stopped twice to view the Northern Lights on the way back with no help or encouragement to enjoy them. By the time we got out of the van, everyone was ready to leave. Overall, it was frustrating since the Northern Lights were visible, and we felt it was a waste of time. Most participants appeared annoyed with Dylan, who failed to share any interesting facts about Alaska. This was the worst tour experience I’ve had, and I’ve reached out to the company regarding these issues. I highly recommend thinking twice before spending money with this company.

• taunyac

  It's a dated hot spring

  This hot spring feels outdated and in need of improvements. Our driver, Dylan, arrived an hour later than expected and played his personal playlist instead of something more neutral. He shared some local information during the long journey and even stopped for a moose sighting, while keeping us informed about our schedule. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the Northern Lights on the way back. The locker room was quite cramped, with limited seating to keep belongings off the wet floor. You’re required to remove your shoes at the entrance, so bring extra socks or wear water shoes. There were also not enough hooks for towels, which made finding a dry spot a challenge. My towel ended up wet due to melting snow. The hot springs themselves were soothing, set amongst beautiful boulders and scenery, and the grounds were well-maintained. There's a gift shop with food options like salad and ramen, although I didn't eat there; others enjoyed the salmon dinner. This is a popular activity worth experiencing once for the chance to view the Northern Lights outside the city, but I wouldn’t plan on returning.

• Explorer47611989446

  very bad

  This was the worst experience. I encountered racial discrimination at the restaurants, and non-Americans were overcharged. After the restoration policy changed, only 20% was adjusted for us, while Americans received a 15% discount, affecting our time at the key hot springs.

Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.