Chena Hot Springs

★5.0
Rock Pool at Chena Hot Springs

Frank K. from Anchorage, Alaska, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted

Geothermal resort featuring mineral-rich hot springs pools, outdoor soaking lake, and year-round relaxation experiences surrounded by scenic wilderness.

General Information

Hours:
Daily: 7am to 11:45pm for hot springs pool access with last admission around 11:30pm
Fees:
Adults (18–59): about $20
Seniors (60+): about $18
Youth (6–17): about $17
Children 5 and under: Free
Additional fees may apply for towels or activities
Pet Policy:
Pets are allowed in designated lodging rooms for an additional fee but are not permitted in pool or hot spring areas
Closest cities with hotels:
Fairbanks (60 mi)
Seasons:
Open year-round; winter is especially popular for northern lights viewing while soaking, and summer offers easier travel conditions
Location:
56.5 mile Chena Hot Springs Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Website:
chenahotsprings.com

From Fairbanks (60 mi): Take Chena Hot Springs Rd east from the city and follow the paved road for about 60 miles until reaching the resort at the end of the road.

Overview

Chena Hot Springs is a hot spring, resort, and community in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, 56.5 miles northeast of Fairbanks near the Chena River State Recreation Area. Chena Hot Springs has visibility of the Aurora borealis, especially around the March equinox.

The purpose of the Ice Museum is to boost the tourism of the resort and showcase the artwork of resident ice artists Steve and Heather Brice. The museum is open throughout the entire year, including the summer, when the temperature can reach up to 90ºF(32ºC). The present museum is made of a steel framework with hollow walls and consists of a great hall and a lounge. Some of the ice sculptures include a gigantic ice tower and life-size jousting knights. One of the rooms even has a non-functioning ice toilet. Visitors are offered the opportunity to purchase a vodka "appletini" in a hand carved ice glass for an additional fee during the tour.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Chena Hot Springs, Alaska", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0

Enrico Blasutto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
Craig Talbert, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted
David Lippincott, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Image Size Adjusted