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Alaska, United States

Chena Hot Springs

Hot springs resort at the end of the road; 2 nights for soaking and aurora watching. Below: 1 sight, 2 activities and 2 outdoor spots, plus how Chena Hot Springs fits into a longer trip.

Plan Chena Hot Springs with friendsBrowse 6 places
Chena Hot Springs, Alaska, United States
Places
6

1 See · 2 Do · 2 Outdoors · 1 Stay

Curated routes
1

Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage

Best season
Dec – Mar

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

19°C / 66°F avg high

Coolest month
January

-16°C / 4°F avg high

Wettest month
July

about 131 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Chena Hot Springs

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Chena Hot Springs.

  • See

    Aurora Ice Museum

    Year-round museum built from ice and snow, with carved sculptures, ice chandeliers and a bar serving drinks in glasses of ice.

    Tip Tours run several times a day; the museum is kept below freezing, so keep your coat on.

    • $$
    • 45 min
    • Evening

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Chena Hot Springs.

  • Do

    Rock Lake hot spring

    The resort's outdoor, rock-lined hot spring pool, fed by natural springs and steaming in air far below zero.

    Tip It is adults only; soak after dark and watch the sky for the aurora.

    • $$
    • 1.5 hr
    • After dark
  • Do

    Aurora viewing tour

    Night tours from the resort by snowcoach to a ridgetop above the valley, with heated yurts to wait in between displays.

    Tip Book on a night with a good forecast; the higher ridge often sits above valley fog.

    • $$$
    • 3 hr
    • Late night

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Chena Hot Springs. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Outdoors

    Angel Rocks Trail

    Loop trail off Chena Hot Springs Road climbing to granite tors above the North Fork of the Chena River.

    Tip Carry traction devices for the icy climb, and start early to finish in daylight.

    • Chena River State Recreation Area
    • Free
    • 3 hr
    • Midday
  • Outdoors

    Chena River State Recreation Area

    Large state recreation area along Chena Hot Springs Road with trails, frozen river views and public-use cabins.

    Tip Rent a public-use cabin through Alaska State Parks for a night on your own under the aurora.

    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Daytime

Stay

Places to stay in Chena Hot Springs.

  • Stay

    Chena Hot Springs Resort

    Geothermal-powered resort with lodge rooms, cabins, a restaurant and the springs, in a valley with little light pollution.

    Tip Rooms sell out on holiday weekends; book well ahead.

    • $$$

How to fit Chena Hot Springs into a trip

Chena Hot Springs is stop 1 of 4 on our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route. Follow it as-is or lift Chena Hot Springs into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Chena Hot Springs month by month

Average daily highs run from -16°C / 4°F in January to 19°C / 66°F in July. July is the wettest month, with about 131 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Chena Hot Springs weather and the best time to visit →

Near Chena Hot Springs

2 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Chena Hot Springs questions, answered

How many days do you need in Chena Hot Springs?

Our route notes suggest 2 nights in Chena Hot Springs. On our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route it is stop 1 of 4 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 10 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Chena Hot Springs best known for?

Hot springs resort at the end of the road; 2 nights for soaking and aurora watching. Standouts on our list: Aurora Ice Museum (Year-round museum built from ice and snow, with carved sculptures, ice chandeliers and a bar serving drinks in glasses of ice); Angel Rocks Trail (Loop trail off Chena Hot Springs Road climbing to granite tors above the North Fork of the Chena River); Chena River State Recreation Area (Large state recreation area along Chena Hot Springs Road with trails, frozen river views and public-use cabins).

When is the best time to visit Chena Hot Springs?

Our Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route is best Dec – Mar. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (19°C / 66°F), the coolest in January (-16°C / 4°F) and the most rain in July (about 131 mm).

What are the best things to do in Chena Hot Springs?

Start with Rock Lake hot spring, Aurora Ice Museum, Aurora viewing tour, Angel Rocks Trail and Chena River State Recreation Area. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 1 sight, 2 activities, 2 outdoor spots and 1 place to stay.

What is near Chena Hot Springs?

The closest destinations in our guides are Fairbanks (about 82 km / 51 mi) and Talkeetna (about 363 km / 226 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Chena Hot Springs with your crew

Open the Fairbanks, Talkeetna & Anchorage route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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