Swap Iceland’s Blue Lagoon For The U.S.’s Own Hot Springs, Complete With Northern Lights Views

Enjoyable in geothermal sizzling springs and looking out as much as see the Aurora Borealis dancing overhead is an idyllic expertise that many individuals dream of and is one thing that pulls tens of millions of individuals to Iceland’s Blue Lagoon every year.

In actual fact, Iceland has the selection of each the Blue Lagoon and the Sky Lagoon, that are excellent for taking a soak in crystal clear blue water whereas, should you’re fortunate, gazing up at one of many earth’s biggest phenomena, portray the sky in pinks and greens. Nonetheless, Iceland is notoriously costly to get to and keep in.

However, there’s a probability to get this mesmerizing expertise proper within the U.S. Chena Springs, one of many best hot springs in the US, offers not solely a tremendous sizzling spring, however an opportunity to witness world-class Northern Lights views. Let’s discover out extra about the place this spa spot is, find out how to get there, and all the main points it’s worthwhile to know.

Chena Sizzling Springs In Fairbanks, Alaska, Is An Ultimate Different To Iceland’s Blue Lagoon

Get pleasure from Northern Lights views with out the large crowds and worldwide airfare

Situated about an hour and quarter-hour outdoors of Fairbanks, AK, alongside the Chena River, lies the Chena Hot Springs Resort. This distant, naturally stunning resort is dwelling to a healing hot spring that truly gives you some of the most stunning views in the world.

Very like Iceland, Alaska is one of the best places to see the Northern Lights, and also you get pleasure from not having to depart the US.

Right here you possibly can take a dip within the geothermal lake or the indoor mineral swimming pools that sit round 106 levels Fahrenheit all 12 months spherical. As such, it is an ideal hidden hot spring to visit in the winter, when these Alaskan temperatures take a nostril dive.

Winter can be a good time of 12 months to see the Northern lights at Chena Sizzling Springs Resort, when the skies are darker, in addition to within the fall and early spring. Summer season is a much less dependable time to see them. Nonetheless, so long as the skies are clear, there’s a probability of seeing them.

In contrast to the Blue Lagoon, Chena Sizzling Springs is not crammed with influencers and vacationer crowds. Its distant nature prevents precisely that. As it is so distant, the dearth of sunshine air pollution signifies that you are truly extra prone to see the Northern Lights right here than on the Blue Lagoon in Keflavik.

Chena Sizzling Springs Resort data

People have to be 18+ to make use of the new spring lake. Nonetheless, these beneath 18 can use the indoor heated pool and indoor and outside sizzling tubs.

What Can You Do Round Chena Sizzling Springs Resort?

This resort is a hub for wellness and rest, surrounded by nature

So, whereas the geothermal lake is the primary draw to Chena Sizzling Springs Resort, there are many issues to see and do. The resort additionally boasts sizzling tubs and indoor swimming pools containing mineral spring water, which helps increase your normal well-being. When you go to through the winter, the resort additionally hosts snowmobile excursions and ice fishing experiences within the space.

Onsite, additionally, you will discover the Aurora Ice Museum, opened in 2005, and containing over 1,000 tons of ice and snow from across the resort. You possibly can take a 45-minute tour across the museum after which get pleasure from a cocktail on the chilly ice bar. The resort additionally presents a kennel tour the place you possibly can be taught all about Alaskan huskies and the roles they play in Alaskan mushing tradition.

Relying on the season, there are ATV excursions, canine sled excursions, mountain climbing, horseback rides, and extra that you may get pleasure from. Alternatively, you possibly can calm down and unwind onsite with Chena Sizzling Springs’ intensive therapeutic massage remedy choice. All of this, on the doorstep of the Chena River State Recreation Area.

There’s a vary of lodging choices at Chena Sizzling Springs, together with cabins, yurts, and suites. Within the hotter seasons, there’s additionally a campground for each tents and RVs.

How To Get To Chena Sizzling Springs Resort

Attending to Fairbanks might be tough

With Chena Sizzling Springs being over an hour outdoors of Fairbanks, it is not the simplest place to get to. There’s a shuttle from downtown Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs and back, which is $180 per individual for a spherical journey and $90 for one-way. The 60-mile route from Fairbanks to Chena Sizzling Springs is open all 12 months spherical, so if you’re driving a rental automobile or your personal automobile, you may as well get right here.

There isn’t any public transport from Fairbanks to Chena Sizzling Springs, so you possibly can both pay for the shuttle or drive. To get to Fairbanks, you possibly can fly into Fairbanks Worldwide Airport. This has a ton of inner routes in Alaska and connects to the continental US by means of Seattle Tacoma Worldwide Airport.

You too can get the Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Fairbanks. This route takes 11 hours, 40 minutes, and runs as soon as a day at 8.20 a.m. Grownup costs one-way begin from $285, and this scenic route provides you superb views of Denali Nationwide Park. Remember that this prepare solely runs between mid-Might and mid-September.

Within the winter months, touring by means of central Alaska might be very tough. Be sure to are snug with winter driving circumstances, have snow chains, and a automobile that may deal with adversarial Alaskan circumstances. In any other case, persist with shuttles.

So, should you’re on the lookout for a sizzling spring and Northern Lights expertise, however do not wish to journey to Iceland, take a look at Chena Sizzling Springs Resort in central Alaska. This resort has a lot to see and do, from outdoorsy vibes to light rest.