Northern Lights And Chena Hot Springs Night Tour From Fairbanks

Our guide, Savvy, was so amazing! She was prompt, knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure we had an amazing time. The northern lights viewing was stunning! She stopped at multiple viewings spots along the drive and helped us get great photos. The help with booking and dining reservations at the hot springs helped us to just relax and enjoy the experience without having to worry about any of the logistics. I’m so thankful we got to spend time with Savvy and would highly recommend a tour with her to everyone!

We had a great time on the Chena Hot Springs Aurora Viewing tour. The pickup at our hotel was flawless. The ice museum was really cool (literally and figuratively!) and it was very fun to have an appletini at the ice bar. The hot springs were great, and we enjoyed all the different areas. What really made this tour the best was our guide Paul. It was a partly to mostly cloudy night, but Paul was determined we'd see the aurora and he delivered. We could see it a little bit behind some clouds at the resort, but he persevered and when it came out while we were driving back he stopped and we got to see it! We are so appreciative of his dedication to finding the aurora for us. And Paul also is a wealth of Alaska knowledge which he shared all night. He also is just a super friendly guy. Paul was, quite possibly, the best guide on any tour I've been on.

It was a good experience. The guide did his utmost to look for the Northern lights, but the weather was against him. Very knowledgeable.

Paul was a very knowledgeable guide and we enjoyed the experience very much! Even though the weather didn’t cooperate we had a great time!

This was our second tour with 1st Alaska Tours and it was another great experience! Our guide, Tanner, was entertaining, friendly, helpful, and professional. He helped us spot moose on the way up to the hot spring and did his best to ensure we all had an interesting drive up. Before even going to the spring, we toured the Ice Museum on premises. Small, but interesting in the diversity of the ice items they had. There was also an early escape if the cold got to be too much. The locker room at the spring was pretty much what you would expect from any locker room: lockers squeezed together in small areas, tight fit for heavy clothing in the locker, tight fit for women changing by lockers. However, it was clean and comfortably warm. Bring your own towel to avoid paying for one and bring quarters for the lockers! I was a little nervous about the locker key as there was no way to attach it to me, but I just left it on my flip flop, and it was fine. It was recommended that we go into the hot tub before going to the hot spring, but the tub was pretty crowded so we took our chances. Street shoes had to be left in the lobby so flip flops or slides are highly recommended and can be left close to the entry to the spring. Many of us wore hats since any part of you that was wet and not under water was subject to freezing (eyelashes, eyebrows, hair, etc). The short walk from the locker room to the spring was chilly but it was not difficult to transition from the walkway to the heat of the spring. There were pockets of intense heat in the spring and also some rocks around the edges so walking gingerly is recommended. The heat felt wonderful and we had more than enough time to enjoy it before getting dressed for heading outside to view the northern lights. We stopped a couple of places on the way back to town and the lights did not disappoint. Tanner knew where to find dark skies for us! A memorable night to be sure and I would highly recommend this tour.

It was a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience. Our guide, Colleen was friendly, knowledgeable, and really went out of her way to ensure we got an amazing experience. She showed us how to set up the cameras on our phones to get AMAZING pictures. Seems straightforward to set up, it's not. Phones can be finicky when trying to get northern lights pictures. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for an amazing adventure in chasing the northern lights. The Chena Hot Springs and Ice Museum were also wonderful, unique experiences and Colleen ensured we knew where to go, what to expect, and how to maximize the experience. That being said, the northern lights portion is something my wife and I will never forget. All pictures were taken with a plain Samsung S22+...not anything new or high-end and they turned out great! Thanks 1st Alaska Tours and Colleen for the experience of a lifetime and memories I will always cherish.

This was a fabulous experience! Tanner, our tour guide, went out of his way to make sure we got to experience Chena resort. We were also fortunate to have a great night of northern lights. Tanner made sure we visited spots with great viewing, and was a huge help with settings on our phone cameras.

Tanner was our guide. He was wonderful. He picked us up on time, gave tour details. He added a brief pull over to see the Alaska pipeline. After arriving at Chena Hot Springs he again provided details to the evening events and where to find him if necessary. He monitored the solar activity and when we would meet him he gave an update. During the Aurora showing he was on the lookout for flares that popped up and which way to look. On our trip back he added a couple pull offs with less lights to again get better views and pictures of Aurora. Above and beyond. He has knowledgeable about the Northern Lights and viewing. He was very personable with our group and great to get to know. He didn’t bring the lights but made the experience the best.

Tanner was a great guide. Got lucky with a wonderful display of the northern lights. Tanner even stopped to let us see the Alaskan pipeline. He also made a couple of extra stops for photos in non light areas for us to get the best pictures

There are 3 facets to this review: 1) Chena Hot Springs: this was Ok but nothing to write home about. The Ice sculpture stuff was good, but then dropped when trying to get meal service (too busy short staffed blah blah blah). When we finally got in there the server (Juan) was great and the food was good - just did not give us enough time to enjoy the hot springs. 2) Tanner the guy who picked us up and brought us back. This dude was a ROCKSTAR! Personable, friendly and really knew his stuff about the Northern Lights! Took us to his honeypots for great viewing and tossed in the pipeline to boot! 3) Northern Lights - I guess we have Mother Nature to thank about this as they were spectacular! Thanks to Tanner for finding them for us!

Tanner was an absolutely wonderful driver and escort on the various stops. Our only complaint is that the seats are not suited for the length of the trip, but designed for an airport shuttle. Jake (not from State Farm) is a trivia king and enjoyed his knowledge. Colleen was a joy to have as a driver. Paul is very knowledgeable about the Auroras and enjoyed the stop for the spring water.

Tanner is the best! Hang on to him! Great tour guide! 10! Personable. Wishing him well! Sara & David

Tanner, our tour guide, did a fabulous job as our driver and guide to Chena Hot Springs and viewing the Northern Lights that evening. We very much enjoyed our tour because of Tanner's informative guidance.

Went to Chena Springs for the hot spring experience ice museum and possible northern lights. Our driver Paul was interactive and kept us amused on the long ride there and was very nice and considerate providing us water to drink. Chena springs was nice. The ice museum was neat and the restaurant was good but slow service. The springs itself are warm and toasty but changing clothes on wet nasty floors in the locker room are a bit tricky and one towel doesn’t cut it. It was snowing and weather wasn’t cooperating but Paul made the call to stay and wait and it paid off. We got to see some northern lights. Very happy and pleased overall with our trip.

I really enjoyed talking with you over dinner. The sky was so clear and the stars were incredibly beautiful. I’ll always remember how we all wished that we might see the Northern Lights that night, and how we drove around in the van searching for them under the starry sky. In the end, we couldn’t find them, and that made me feel very sad. But every moment has become a precious memory. The disappointment of not seeing the Northern Lights makes the memories of the times I have seen them before—and the joy I will feel when I see them again someday—even more meaningful. I sincerely hope that you will be able to see beautiful Northern Lights. I’ll be wishing that for you.

I really enjoyed the whole experience! Tanner was our guide and he shared his knowledge on the hot springs, northern lights, and this area of Alaska. I never felt uncomfortable being the only solo person in our group. We talked and laughed and genuinely had a great time together. Tanner had a lot to do with that. We represented 3 countries with different languages but it still felt like good friends sharing an experience. Dinner at the hot springs was beyond anything I imagined. The restaurant went out of there way to accommodate us even though they were already packed. 1st Alaska Tours!!! I hope to come back soon.

We had such a great experience on this tour! To begin, our tour guide, Tanner, was the best. He was full of information and stories and really made the whole night feel very personal and tailored toward our group. Chena hot springs and the ice museum were lovely, but the real attraction were the Northern Lights dancing and showing off for us at another location. Tanner was so helpful with tips and tricks for taking pictures, but the real thrill was just looking up and watching them go! I highly recommend this tour and 1st Alaska Tours.

Awesome experience and highly recommend for anyone visiting Fairbanks. The hot-springs are definitely worth the dip and provide a wonderful contrast to the frigid temps. The couldn't have been possible without our awesome guide Tanner. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone had a good time and provided valuable local information and recommendations. He pulled over to assist a stuck traveler and took us to multiple locations to see the aurora, even going out of the way to see the Alaskan pipeline. If Tanner's your guide, know you'll be taken care of!

What a lovely guy, saving up for his wedding too. We got to stop places off the side of the road and he accommodated to everyone’s needs and seems to actually love what he does. Funny too. You outa pick Paul cause Paul is great. It’s a better experience when the tour guide isn’t just there for the money but for everyone’s experience too.i was there for a while, it was beautiful and clear, crowd was not at all big, best for people who want a good experience lol.

This experience is a must when coming to Fairbanks!! The Chena hot springs is a relaxing experience, me and my group loved it so much we came back solo a couple nights later. This package included seeing the ice museum which was very cool and a must see. What really made this experience special and a standout was our tour guide Tanner. Tanner was incredible! Clearly loves Alaska and his job, passionate, knowledgeable and the BEST food recommendations for local spots!

This was an incredible New Years Eve experience! The Chena Hot Springs alongside a New Years Eve party including Elvis impersonator, fireworks, and breathtaking Northern Lights made for a unique and unforgettable night. What really made the trip special was our tour guide, Paul. He was knowledgeable, entertaining, and genuinely a great person. He went far above and beyond what was expected in so many ways including: finding ways to make our kids feel special, extending or making bonus stops based on our preferences, and not rushing us through the tour. We made unforgettable memories alongside our new friend, Paul, in Alaska.

Such a nice late-fall escape from the city. Even though we didn’t get to fully see the aurora, we loved our time at Chena Hot Springs, spotting moose, and listening to stories from our guides, who were both Alaska Natives. Their stories, photos, and genuine hospitality truly made the trip. Thank you, Joe, for your charisma and clear Alaskan pride—it shines through at any age. Thank you, Ash, for taking us out even when others canceled (due to weather and for staying out as long as you could to give us another chance at seeing the aurora. We are still in awe of ALL the work you do. And thank you to the Alaska tour team for helping us customize our experience. We would definitely do this again at the recommended time ( February) to potentially see the dog sled races and more !!! Pricing was fairly reasonable, with some elements outside of the tour’s control. The food was underwhelming, though this was not a reflection of the guides or their efforts.

We had such an amazing time on our first trip to Fairbanks and booking with 1st Alaska Tours was such a great experience. All the activities were well planned and they made everything so easy for us. We booked two tours with them the Chena Hot Springs aurora trip and the Dog Sledding trip. Our guide was Zach for the hot springs trip and he was very helpful and friendly and knowledgeable. Zach even gave us a couple hand warmers which was very nice. Our guide for dog sledding was Dan and he was also great and really took care of us with great concern to make sure we got warmed up quickly with the heater and hot chocolate and his wife showed us a good technique for warming up your fingers. This company rocks it!

This tour was AMAZING! Daniel with First Alaska was an awesome tour guide. He had such great energy and went above and beyond to ensure every single guest on his tour has the best experience possible. We were extremely lucky to see the lights, but even if we hadn’t been able to see them, Daniel would have made this trip worth it, He made sure to remember everyone’s name and talk story with us while also giving us time to explore all the attractions. On the way back he was very attentive to the lights, and managed to find a safe, impromptu spot to pull over and see the northern lights when he noticed they were putting on a show. He made sure that everyone got a picture that they were happy with in front of lights (even at the expense of his own phone battery). The ice museum was a unique work of art. It was amazing to see what all could be accomplished in that medium and we were given time to look at all the different sculptures after a quick tour from one of the guides at the resort. The hot springs itself was an incredible experience. Even though it was -30 degrees, we were plenty warm once we got in and the amenities made using the hot spring and pools seamless. Overall, I would definitely recommend this tour, but any tour with Daniel would have been awesome!

This is an amazing experience!! Don’t worry about freezing. Get in the hot springs. They are wonderful. Soothing to the body and making ice sculptures of your hair is so fun

Ash is the best guide I've had anywhere! He is a master storyteller who brings dimension and texture to every moment, granting participants a window into seldom seen aspects of Alaskan life. The Ice Museum was awe-inspiring and the hot springs were invigorating. Cloud cover prevented us from seeing the northern lights, but Ash did eveeything he could, including making extra stops along the way back to give us extra opportunities to try for a viewing.

Our tour guide Paul made our Aurora tour unforgettable. On the drive to Chena, he kept us entertained with incredible stories from his many adventures, and he had such a fun, friendly energy that the whole group instantly loved him. After our relaxing soak in the hot springs, he even brought out games and books so we could pass the time while waiting for the aurora — something no other guide has ever done for us. Around 12:30 am, a faint aurora appeared near Chena. While many guides might have called it a night, Paul stayed hopeful and determined. He was so positive and truly committed to finding the best lights for us. He even brought along real fossils for us to hold and learn about — such a unique touch that showed how passionate he is about Alaska and its history. Because of Paul’s constant effort, sharp eye, and never-give-up attitude, he led us to a stunning aurora display around 2:30 am. It was breathtaking — and it happened because he kept searching while driving, checking the skies, and refusing to settle for anything less than magical. Thanks to Paul, we had one of the most beautiful nights of our trip. He was truly the best guide we could’ve asked for.

We were quite disappointed in this tour. We booked it months ago knowing that the odds of seeing the Northern Lights were low, and made that decision anyway. However, we were unimpressed with First Alaska’s lack of providing ANY information on the phenomenon. The bus driver was friendly but didn’t help in our viewing education. The “host” was even less. The viewing time was almost 3 hours and neither of them bothered to explain the Northern Lights, how to view them, where to look and what to look for. We had NO information, other than an hour fill-in talk from a dog musher. The night was rainy and with a pretty thick cloud cover, and that was the forecast before we left. I have researched the NL enough to know that the probabilities of seeing them is greatly reduced due to these conditions. The driver did state that even tho the weather wasn’t favorable, the “conditions and factors” were very positive. It’s not much of a leap to think that the reward of making $10,000 from our group far outweighed the decision to cancel the trip when they knew the odds were very slim. We talked to others in our group after the trip and they felt the same. Sad trip. Would not recommend.

Joe was a very funny and interesting guide full of stories of life in the Alaska wilderness. He found a giant moose cow in a pond eating lazily on the lake weed! And he waited patiently for the sky to clear for our view of dim but present Aurora!

Perfect package - covers most important highlights in and around Fairbanks, with great guides and really good/decent accomodations - everything worth the pricing of this package. I would 100% recommend this tour.

Picked up at our hotel and taken to the hot springs. Admission included the ice sculpture exhibits, time in the outdoor hot springs and a chance to see the lights. Unfortunaatly, mother nature didn't cooperate, buy ya gotta try. Still enjoyed the trip and time in middle Alaska!

This is a great tour to do. You get a little bit of everything, even the ride there is pretty. Ice museum was fun, we got to relax in the hot springs and then a great view of the northern lights. Our tour guy Paul was very knowledgeable and accommodating. On the way back he stopped by a few other places so we could have another view to the auroras that were active all night <3

I went to the Hot Springs looking for Auroras. Our tour guide, Paul, was really good. A cloud cover rolled over and we had to wait inside. He told us of some Alaskan history, and had us play games while we waited. Luckily it cleared and we all got great photos.

Wow. There are no words to correctly describe this tour for us besides life-changing. We started the night off getting picked up by Ash, who we had had as a guide the day prior. Immediately thrilled. Like the coolest guy ever. He greeted us by name, and it truly felt like we were good friends haha! On the drive over he is being sure to drive carefully and attentively, but also engage with everyone on the tour, asking questions, telling us stories and facts and talking about tonight. Well his stories are insanely incredible, of course, but he mentions tonight is supposed to be the craziest the lights have been in a decade. Holy sh*t he wasn’t wrong. Anywho, on the way up he’s answering all questions, we see some moose and things. He explains the process to us before we arrive and gives us tips and tricks. The hot springs were INCREDIBLE by themselves and the Aurora is popping in and out. About 12am, everyone is out of the spring and Ash comes back down to show us what is happening on the other side where it is darker. He clears it with everyone, and takes us in the van to a darker more secluded spot where he goes to see the lights better while the other tour guides take their groups to similar spots of their own favor. And oh. My. God. I cannot thank him enough. We saw the CRAZIEST dancing and flashing lights ever. 1st Alaska Tours has been incredible this whole trip and I can’t imagine what it would’ve been like had we booked through ANYONE else.

Van was old, driver talked about her medical issues and communication about food availability prior to arrival was inadequate at best.

Zachary was outstanding, very knowledgeable about the Auroras. Did his research before we left Chena Hot Springs. Knew of 3 stops outside Chena. Despite the low chances of seeing the Lights, his locations were spot on. His enthusiasm of the Lights was contagious, despite our exhaustion. We enjoyed Chena Hot Springs Resort’s ice museum, with all the ice sculptures and creations. The hot springs dip was phenomenal. Photography in the waters was difficult because of the steam.

**Unforgettable Chena Hot Springs Tour with an Amazing Host!** I can’t even begin to describe how incredible our Chena Hot Springs tour was! From start to finish, it was an experience beyond words. Our host, Ash, was fantastic—so knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. From the moment we met, it was clear that Ash truly cared about making this an unforgettable experience for us. The highlight of the trip was definitely the Northern Lights. We were lucky enough to witness the most spectacular display of the aurora borealis—literally dancing across the sky! The colors were vibrant, and the movement was so magical it felt like something out of a dream. Ash made sure we had the best viewing spots and shared fascinating insights about the lights and the area, adding an extra layer of depth to the experience. Chena Hot Springs itself was absolutely beautiful and the perfect way to warm up after a chilly night under the stars. Soaking in the natural hot springs while gazing at the northern lights was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. I couldn’t recommend this tour enough. If you’re looking for a unique adventure with an amazing guide, this is the one. Ash truly made this tour something special to remember for a lifetime!

We had a great time going to Chena Hot Springs. The hot spring with a very of the starry sky was very relaxing! It was a cloudy night, but our guide Colleen managed to drive us to a spot with clear skies and we got a spectacular view of the lights! Absolutely breathtaking!

Our guide, Joe, was great. Loves his job and the Northern Lights. We were lucky enough to be able to pull over and get pictures of a moose along our drive and saw some great Northern Lights. Good food, great hotsprings, food and people. Liked it so much we booked a last minute excursion with Joe the next night!

Paul was amazing. He was super informative along the drive to and from the Hot Springs and had snacks available for us on the way. He was always willing to help out, take pics, answer questions, etc. and while waiting for the Northern lights after the springs, he gave a show and tell, and had historical and other books about alaska available for us to look through. He also made us a traditional alaskan dessert (i can’t remember the name of), which was delicious. He freely gave his time and information to anyone around. Paul was an absolute delight!!

I felt like the tour was in general not very organized. The tour guide disappeared several times as we navigated through getting into hot springs and catching the northern lights at the Chena resort. It felt like we were just left at the resort to figure things out. I don’t think there was much planning or intentionality behind finding places for us to catch the northern lights either. We wasted a lot of time at the resort, most of us sitting in the activity room, when we could’ve scouted a few other darker spots to catch the lights. I think if your hope is to see the northern lights through this trip, you’re better off getting a dedicated tour for it by experts who do this for a living. This was more like a drop off on a van and go figure yourself out vibes.

Our driver, Joseph, was so kind and knowledgeable about the area, and drove safe on the ich roads to the Chena resort! I deducted 1 point because the Chena resort was disappointing. The ice museum was great, the restaurant awesome, but the pool area was smaller than anticipated. The changing area was DISGUSTING! I never saw such an amount of hair and garbage on the floor of any public pool. There was no toilet paper. Unacceptable for a resort. What you should know about this tour is that your driver isn't a guide for the resort or the Northern Lights experience - you are discovering everything on your own.

Northern lights tour experience had great potential. The ice museum was amazing. Unfortunately, with snow, the northern lights could not be seen. And because of having to close the Hot Springs didn’t get a chance to experience them at all. Awaiting a refund from Viator for partial on our experience.

Zack was considerate and thoughtful. He made stops so we could see the northern lights when they were active.

Jake is a very nice tour guide who took care of us very well. He is patient and very friendly to share and tell many stories and knowledge about aurora whatever you asked. Many thanks Jake!

This was the best experience every! I would definitely recommend this! The water was so warm. Some areas were more warmer then others. Best time I’ve ever had!

Wendy was a great tour guide with fantastic story telling of her own experiences and the lifestyle of Alaska. I was fortunate to have her as our tour guide :)

Seeing the northern lights, driver (Jake ?) was very experienced and knowledgeable about the lights. The ice museum was very overcrowded and the dining was not able to handle the amount of people but once seated the food was great

Every detail of the plan was very well organize, punctuality and guidance on timing, activities to do and so on made our experience in Chena Hot Springs unforgettable. Joe the driver is the best, so friendly and always ready to support.