Aurora viewing spot
Chena Hot Springs
Soak while the lights dance overhead — 60 miles east of Fairbanks
Distance
60 mi E of Fairbanks
Kp needed
Kp 2+
Access
Paved road year-round
Facilities
Full resort + hot spring
Chena Hot Springs Resort sits at the end of a 60-mile road east of Fairbanks, deep in the Interior. It combines genuinely dark skies with an outdoor geothermal hot spring, heated aurora-viewing cabins, and a staff team dedicated to waking guests when the lights appear. For many visitors it's the perfect aurora setup: warm and comfortable, with a guide doing the watching for you.
The outdoor hot spring
The resort's signature feature: a natural geothermal pool open year-round, even at −40°F. Soaking in the hot spring while aurora moves overhead is one of Alaska's most memorable experiences. Bring a towel and waterproof gloves.
Heated aurora-viewing cabins
Chena's staff monitors the aurora forecast and knocks on cabin doors when activity spikes — so you can sleep, get woken up, watch the show, and go back to sleep. The viewing cabin itself is heated so you can watch without freezing.
Aurora Ice Museum
An all-ice interior museum kept at a permanent 25°F — ice sculptures, an ice bar (real cocktails in ice cups), and carved ice furniture. Open year-round and worth seeing even during the summer hiatus.
Dog sledding add-on
The resort runs dog sled tours from the property — a natural pairing with an aurora trip, since most mushers prefer the same winter window.
Pro tip
Book the aurora cabin package rather than a standard room — you get the wake-up call service and access to the best unobstructed viewing spot on the property.
Other viewing spots
Murphy Dome
2,940 feet of unobstructed northern horizon — 27 miles from Fairbanks
Cleary Summit
Paved access, dark skies, 2,233 feet — 20 miles from Fairbanks
Coldfoot Camp
250 miles above Fairbanks on the Dalton Highway — aurora at Kp 1
Denali National Park
Dark skies at 63°N with North America's tallest peak as backdrop
Fairbanks
The aurora capital — 240+ nights a year directly under the auroral oval
Utqiaġvik (Barrow)
71.3°N — the northernmost US city, where aurora appears even at noon in winter