Midnight Sun Soak at Chena Hot Springs from Fairbanks

Aurora Ice Museum tour with mineral water soak in naturally heated springs

A six-hour tour from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs, 60 miles north, combines a visit to the year-round Aurora Ice Museum with a soak in geothermal pools under Alaska's midnight sun. The route passes through wilderness where moose, foxes and bears are often spotted. Transport, museum admission and hot springs pool access are included. A live English-speaking guide leads groups kept intentionally small.

The experience

The drive itself is part of the draw. You leave Fairbanks heading north through backcountry where the guide knows which stretches hold wildlife and when to slow down for a sighting. Moose, foxes and the occasional bear move through this landscape, and the guide's years exploring these roads means you stop at the places locals know. The van carries water and snacks for the ride, so there's no pressure to eat at the activity center or the restaurant. Both can run slow during peak hours.

At Chena Hot Springs, the Aurora Ice Museum arrives first. The structure is built entirely from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, and inside you move through rooms carved and sculpted to stay frozen year-round. The ice bar is there if you want an Appletini served in a hand-carved ice glass (optional add-on). Otherwise you walk through and feel the cold holding the whole thing together. Then you shift straight into the opposite: the natural geothermal pool, where mineral-rich water stays warm because of heat rising from the earth. You soak under the midnight sun if the season aligns, or under the long twilight that passes for night in summer. The water's reputation for soothing properties is real enough that people come back.

The group stays small by design, which changes how the day moves. No rushing through stops to keep a schedule tight. The guide adapts the route based on what's happening, where wildlife is active that day, whether the light is worth lingering for, what the group wants to linger on. It's the difference between being one of thirty on a bus and being one of a handful in a van with someone who chose to live here.

What’s included

• Round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned van from Fairbanks.
• Aurora Ice Museum admission.
• Chena Hot Springs pool pass.
• bottled water and snacks during the drive.
• live English-speaking guide leading a small group.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturdayDeparts at 17:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.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.

Paid on siteUS$ 5

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Heart of Alaska Tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads small groups, so the commentary stays personal and you're not competing with thirty other people for the guide's attention or the best spot at each stop. If you want to move at your own pace and have time to soak without feeling rushed, this format delivers that.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife might I actually see on the drive to Chena Hot Springs?

Moose, foxes and bears move through the Alaskan wilderness along the route, and the guide knows the stretches where they're often spotted. Sightings are not guaranteed, but the guide stops at places where wildlife is active and watches for movement.

How does the Aurora Ice Museum stay frozen year-round?

The Aurora Ice Museum is a permanent structure built from over 1,000 tons of ice and snow, engineered to remain frozen even during Alaska's warmer months. You walk through carved ice rooms and can order drinks at the ice bar inside.

Is the midnight sun actually visible when I soak in the hot springs?

The midnight sun is visible during the summer months (roughly June through early July in Fairbanks). If you travel in other seasons, you'll soak under the long twilight or darkness depending on the time of year.

What should I bring for the hot springs soak?

Bring a swimsuit and a change of clothes. Towel rental is available at the springs, though the guide recommends borrowing from your lodging if possible. The tour includes the pool pass but not the towel rental.

How much time do I actually spend soaking in the hot springs?

The tour is six hours total from Fairbanks, including the 60-mile drive each way and the time at the Aurora Ice Museum. The soak itself takes up a significant portion of the visit, though the exact time depends on how the guide structures the day and what the group wants to do.

Does the tour include meals?

The tour includes water and snacks in the van. The activity center and restaurant at Chena Hot Springs sell food and drinks, but the guide discourages eating there due to possible long service times during busy periods.