Chena Hot Springs Resort
By the HotSpringsFind editorial team · How we compile records · Reviewed September 2026
Chena Hot Springs Resort is a resort hot spring listed near Fairbanks, Alaska. Reported soak temperature: 106°F. See the visit fact sheet.
Current status
Open 365 days a year at the end of paved Chena Hot Springs Road (mile 56.5, ~60 mi/1.5–2 hr from Fairbanks) — Pool House day passes $20 adult / $18 senior / $17 child (6–17), under 5 free, no reservation needed, 7 AM–11:45 PM with last entry 11:30 PM; the outdoor Rock Lake hot springs (~106°F) is adults-only 18+, kids use the indoor pool and hot tubs.
Checked September 2026 · verified on the operator’s site · 5 sources ↓
Before you go
- Status: Open — last verified below — confirm via The MILEPOST — Chena Hot Springs Road route guide (paved all-weather road, mile 56.6, moose viewing).
- Cost: Reported $20 — confirm current rates before visiting.
- Getting there: Developed resort — confirm operating hours and any reservation requirement.
- Water: Reported soak temperature 106°F — always test the water before entering.
- Rules: Reported clothing required; pets reported not allowed — confirm current rules.
- Conditions: check weather, fire closures, and land-manager alerts the week you go — mountain access changes seasonally.
- Reservations/permits: None — day pass purchased at Pool House check-in.
- Best time to go: Weekday mornings for quiet; winter evenings (Aug–Apr) for soaking under the northern lights — the resort is an internationally known aurora-viewing site with wake-up calls.
- Clothing reality: Official: swimwear required in all pools — family resort, not clothing-optional. Customary reality matches.
- Kids: Allowed.
- Cell service: none — download maps and tell someone your plan.
- Accessibility: Pool House is a developed indoor facility; Rock Lake entry is a walk-in beach-style gravel edge — manageable for most with assistance; call ahead for specifics.
- Outdoor Rock Lake (the actual hot springs lake) is strictly 18+ — under-18s are limited to the indoor heated pool and hot tubs
- Lockers need quarters ($0.50); towel rental $5 — bring a towel and change
- No lifeguards on duty — children must be supervised at all times
- Last admission 11:30 PM, everyone out of the water by 11:45 PM
- Remote end-of-road location: no services for the last ~50 miles; fuel up in Fairbanks
- Winter driving (Oct–Apr): paved but icy/snowy — proper winter tires needed; allow 2 hours and watch for moose day and night
- Resort cell/data coverage is minimal to none — download directions in advance; resort WiFi available for guests
- Aurora season (Aug–Apr) makes evening soaks the signature experience — pair with the Aurora Ice Museum (separate paid tour)
- Hazard: Rock Lake is a natural-bottom hot springs lake ~106°F — gravel/rock bottom, no lifeguard
- Hazard: Moose on Chena Hot Springs Road are a genuine collision hazard, especially at dawn/dusk and in winter
- Hazard: Extreme cold: -20 to -40°F winter air temps between car and pool — walk quickly, robe recommended
- Hazard: Chena River along the road is cold with strong current — do not underestimate on side trips
About this spring
Alaska's most famous and most-visited hot springs, operating since 1905 — natural geothermal water feeds an outdoor rock-lined lake (~106°F year-round, adults only), an indoor heated saltwater pool and hot tubs. Geothermal power plant, Aurora Ice Museum, lodging, camping and world-class aurora viewing. Fee: ~$20 adult day pass; outdoor Rock Lake is 18+. Outdoor lake adults-only (18+); no lifeguards; winter road can be icy.
Chena Hot Springs is an unincorporated community and hot spring resort in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska, United States, 56.5 miles (90.9 km) northeast of Fairbanks near the Chena River State Recreation Area. The resort makes use of the first low-temperature binary geothermal power plant built in Alaska, and is working on several alternative energy projects, including production and use of hydrogen and vegetable oil for fuel. The resort is conducting collaborative experiments in greenhouse production of vegetables with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
Text from the Wikipedia article “Chena Hot Springs, Alaska”, available under CC BY-SA.
Directions & trailhead access
17600 Chena Hot Springs Rd, ~60 mi east of Fairbanks at the end of the road.
Alaska geothermal context
Alaska's geothermal sites sit along the volcanically active Aleutian arc and scattered Interior fault zones. Most are reachable only by floatplane, boat, or long backcountry routes, and the realistic soaking season is short — roughly June through September. Treat every remote spring as a wilderness trip, not a roadside stop.
What a resort site means here
A resort spring is a commercial operation: developed pools or tubs with controlled temperatures, changing facilities, and usually day-use fees or lodging packages. Expect posted rules (swimsuits, quiet hours, age limits), staff on site, and in many cases required reservations — especially on weekends and holidays.
Best time to visit
June – September (Short Summer Access Window)Remote Alaskan geothermal sites have a brief accessible season — snow, ice, and limited road access close most areas outside summer. Midnight-sun June through early September offers the only realistic visiting window for most locations.
Fact sheet
| Reported soak temp | 106°F |
|---|---|
| Source temp (historical) | 106°F |
| Trail access | Recorded coordinates — access unverified |
| Access fee | Reported $20 — verify |
| Clothing policy | Reported clothing required |
| Pet policy | Reported no pets |
| Geothermal data reference | NOAA Thermal Springs List (1980 archive) |
| Check land status | The MILEPOST — Chena Hot Springs Road route guide (paved all-weather road, mile 56.6, moose viewing) |
Chena Hot Springs Resort FAQ
Is Chena Hot Springs Resort open right now?
Open 365 days a year at the end of paved Chena Hot Springs Road (mile 56.5, ~60 mi/1.5–2 hr from Fairbanks) — Pool House day passes $20 adult / $18 senior / $17 child (6–17), under 5 free, no reservation needed, 7 AM–11:45 PM with last entry 11:30 PM; the outdoor Rock Lake hot springs (~106°F) is adults-only 18+, kids use the indoor pool and hot tubs. (Status verified on the operator’s site, last checked September 2026.)
Is Chena Hot Springs Resort free?
Chena Hot Springs Resort is listed with reported fees near Fairbanks. Fees are reported; confirm admission, parking and permit costs with the site manager.
What temperature is Chena Hot Springs Resort?
Chena Hot Springs Resort has a reported soak temperature of 106°F and a historical source temperature of 106°F in survey records. Historical data may not reflect current conditions — always test water before entering.
Is Chena Hot Springs Resort clothing optional?
Chena Hot Springs Resort is listed as swimsuit-required in directory records. Confirm current rules before visiting, as policies change.
How do you access Chena Hot Springs Resort?
Chena Hot Springs Resort is a private venue with paid public admission. Confirm current hours, fees and booking requirements with the operator before visiting.
Where to stay in Fairbanks
For a stay at Chena itself, book with the operator. Fairbanks is an optional city base about 60 road miles away.
We may earn a commission from bookings through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Sources & references
- Chena Hot Springs Resort — official Pool House page (hours 7AM–11:45PM, rates $20/$18/$17, last entry 11:30PM, 18+ outdoor lake) — operator · 2026-09
- Chena Hot Springs Resort — official Hot Springs page (open 365 days, 18+ outdoor rule) — operator · 2026-09
- The MILEPOST — Chena Hot Springs Road route guide (paved all-weather road, mile 56.6, moose viewing) — official · 2026
- Chena Hot Springs Resort — official Getting Here page (60 mi / 1.5–2 hr from Fairbanks, shuttle option) — operator · 2026-09
- Roam States — Chena Hot Springs travel guide (Rock Lake ~106°F, quarters for lockers, towel rental $5) — community · 2026
Official website: chenahotsprings.com
Details above were verified against the named sources on their listed dates — conditions change, so recheck before traveling. · How we verify our data · Report a correction
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