Chena Hot Springs & The Coddled Traveler

We bid farewell to the Santa and the North Pole on Wednesday around noon. Our goal, Chena Resort and the famous hot springs, which are so popular Fairbanks has a nonstop flight to Japan in the winter to cater to the strong demand from Japanese tourists. Chena Hot Springs is 61 miles from Fairbanks, which, fun fact, is Alaska’s second largest city with a population of 32,000 (although there are 100,000 in the surrounding area).

The drive to Chena is 1 hour and 15 minutes. Like a lot of driving in remote parts of Alaska, the drive is up a two lane mountain road paved half way before it becomes a well tended gravel road. Only one way up and one way down. At about Milepost 28 there is an old school, two pump only, gas station and small convenience store. Top up here because you have to make it back to Milepost 28 for any refills. Otherwise, it's $25 for two gallons of gas at the hot springs.

Upon arrival at the resort registration was professional and friendly and we were directed to our room in the Moose Lodge. We were only staying one night and with our mid afternoon arrival, we huddled to map out a strategy. Most important: massage, soak in the hot springs, visit the ice museum and eat dinner.

Sue and I donned arctic coats and with a small group entered and explored the museum of ice with a friendly and knowledgeable guide. One of the highlights of our trip was meeting the young people who work in Alaska during the short summer season. They come from all over the world and are enthusiastic, knowledgeable and have boundless energy and patience.

There is a 45 minute limit for stays in the ice museum. We looked at the bedrooms ($600 per night), sat at the bar, sipped Appletini’s, and watched a carver make ice glasses. Hands and toes freezing, we both agreed it was a unique and enjoyable experience!

From there it was off to the hot springs! The lure of health benefits from the sulphuric hot springs drew us to Chena. Given the number of RVs and tourists, we were not alone. A short tantalizing trip past the pool, duck pond, and registration, then down a plexiglass tunnel landed us at the hot springs. While the locker room was filled with people, there was plenty of room in the water. The steam was rising and we were warned that the far end of the springs boiled people like lobsters in a pot!

And yes... it was hot. Really hot. Gracie stayed in the shallows and Sue and I walked slowly into the lobster pot at the far end. It was worthwhile for us all and we felt reenergized after leaving the springs. A good preparation for a deep sleep!

Sue in ice bed