Chena Hot Springs Day Tour: Ice Museum & Geothermal Soak

Ice Museum, geothermal innovation, and a soak in naturally heated springs 60 miles north

This guided day tour from Fairbanks visits the Aurora Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs Resort, where you tour the geothermal system powering the resort and soak in naturally heated outdoor pools. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Fairbanks, a live guide, and bottled water are included. The day runs roughly 6.5 hours, departing at 11:30am and returning by 6:30pm.

The experience

The tour leaves Fairbanks at 11:30am and covers 60 miles to reach Chena Hot Springs Resort, a location discovered by Alaska Natives and early miners. Your guide provides live commentary during the drive, and the route itself frames what makes this resort unusual: it sits on geothermal energy that heats the springs year-round. At 1:00pm you tour the Aurora Ice Museum, a structure built entirely from ice and kept at a constant 10 degrees Fahrenheit inside.

At 2:00pm, a guided geothermal tour walks you through how the resort harnesses natural heat from the earth to warm the springs and buildings. This optional stop explains the engineering behind what you're about to experience. By 3:00pm you're in the hot springs themselves. Outdoor pools fed by geothermal water. The contrast between the cold air and the warm water is the core of the day. You soak until 5:00pm, when the group departs for the drive back to Fairbanks, arriving around 6:30pm.

Food and drinks are available at the resort's on-site restaurant if you want to eat during the day. Children under 5 are not permitted on the tour. Guests 18 and older can access the outdoor Rock Lake hot springs. Younger guests use the indoor pool instead. A minimum of four people is required to operate the tour, though cancellations due to low bookings are rare.

What’s included

• Bottled water.
• driver and live guide providing commentary.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at selected Fairbanks hotels.
• entry to the Aurora Ice Museum.
• guided geothermal tour of the resort's heating system.
• access to the hot springs pools.

Information

Lasts 6h 30m, from US$ 200 per person, with a live guide in English and in groups of up to 14.

Days and timesNext departure: 15 May 20276 departing soon ›

GroupUp to 141 private ›

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 26 pickup points.

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by 1st Alaska Outdoor School

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup in Fairbanks means you don't need a car or arrange your own transport to reach Chena Hot Springs, which sits 60 miles away on a road most visitors don't drive alone. The fixed schedule (departing at 11:30am and returning by 6:30pm) fits a full day without eating into evening plans.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What is inside the Aurora Ice Museum?

The Aurora Ice Museum is a structure built entirely from ice and maintained at 10 degrees Fahrenheit inside. It showcases ice sculptures and installations, and the cold interior is part of the experience itself.

Can I eat at Chena Hot Springs during the tour?

Yes, the resort has an on-site restaurant where you can purchase food and beverages. The schedule allows time to eat during your visit, though meals are not included in the tour price.

How does the geothermal tour work?

A guide walks you through the resort's geothermal system, explaining how natural heat from the earth powers the hot springs and heats the buildings. This optional stop happens at 2:00pm, before you soak in the springs.

What time do we actually get to soak in the hot springs?

Soaking begins at 3:00pm and continues until 5:00pm, giving you two hours in the naturally heated outdoor pools. Indoor pools are also available if you prefer.

Do I need to be a certain age to use the hot springs?

Children under 5 years old cannot join the tour. Guests 18 and older can access the outdoor Rock Lake hot springs. Younger guests (5–17) use the indoor pool instead.