The Chena Hotsprings Road is a 56.5 mile/91 km highway. To reach the Chena Hotsprings Road, head out of Fairbanks on the Steese Highway and turn onto the Hotsprings Road at mile 4. The road traverses the Chena Recreation Area on its way to Chena Hot Springs Resort, one of the state’s most prominent resorts with swimming, hot mineral baths, resort accommodations, camper parking (no hook-ups) and numerous visitor activities. The resort is known to be one best places in Alaska for viewing the Northern Lights. The road to Chena Hot Springs is completely paved.
For a complete list of Things to do in BC, the Yukon and Alaska on your trip north, visit our Things To Do section. For information on places to camp, visit our section on camping in Alaska. To determine when you should plan your trip to Alaska, visit our page on the best time to visit Alaska.
0
Post Office on Old Steese Highway.
2.1
Bennett Road.
3.5
Steele Creek Road.
4.5
ESRO Telemetry Station. Satellite tracking station.
6.4
Nordale Road.
8.2
Parking.
11.9
Bridge over Little Chena River, parking.
18.3
Two Rivers School.
20
Jenny M Creek.
22.5
Gas and Groceries.
23.9
Pleasant Valley RV Park.
25.5
Geophysical Institute Radio Facility.
26.1
Chena River Recreational Area Boundary.
27
Rosehip Campground, tenting, water, toilets, hiking trails and fishing. Fee area.
28.6
River access.
29.4
Parking by the Chena River.
30
Twin Bears Camp and Ranger Station – Outdoor Education Camp.
31.4
River access.
31.6
Trailhead for Colorado Creek Cabin, Stiles Creek Cabin and South Fork Trail.
33.9
Four Mile Creek.
35.8
Parking.
36.4
Trailhead for Stiles Creek, shooting range. Mist Creek Trail on right.
38
River access.
37.8
North Fork Chena River (first bridge).
38.2
Parking
39.2
Access road.
39.5
North Fork Chena River (second bridge). Chena River State Recreation Area.
Tors Trail Campground, 21 camp sites, picnic area, water, tables, toilets, hiking trails and fishing. Handicap accessible. Fee area. Hiking tails include a 1 hour hike to Angel Rocks, a day hike to the Granite Tors or; a 3-day trip around the ridges of Angel Creek to Chena Dome. Facilities include 4 rustic cabins, which can be rented and a shooting range. For more information call 907-451-2695.
The granite tors draw hikers and rock climbers, photographers and geologists, they were formed 70 million to 90 million years ago when molten rock pushed upward and cooled before reaching the surface. The granite formations were exposed by the erosion of the surrounding earth which revealed the towering spires we see today.
39.6
River access.
41.6
River access and parking.
42.8
Red Squirrel campground, 5 camp sites, large picnic area with shelters, water, firepits, toilets. Fishing for grayling in lake. $8 fee.
43
Parking by river.
43.9
River access.
44.1
North Fork Chena River (third bridge). Good canoe float trip from here to first bridge. Good fishing.
45.5
Trailhead for West Fork Trail.
46
Parking.
46.7
Parking, fishing in river.
48.9
Trailhead for Angel Rocks and Angel Rocks – Chena Hot Springs Trail.
49.1
Trailhead for Lower Chena Dome, parking, water, toilets.
49.8
Angel Creek, grayling fishing.
50.5
Trailhead for Upper Chena Dome and Angel Creek Cabin, parking, toilets.
50.7
Chena River Recreation Area boundary.
52.3
West Fork Chena River, parking by river, reached by short side road.
55.3
North Fork Chena River, large parking area.
56.5
Chena Hot Springs Resort. The hot springs were discovered in 1905 by gold prospectors seeking to ease their painful rheumatism brought on by poor diets and grueling work. By 1912 Chena Hot Springs had become the premier resort of Interior Alaska, a mere one week trip by stagecoach from Fairbanks.
The hot springs are located at the center of a 40 square mile geothermal resource area. Water flows from the hot springs at 156 degrees Fahrenheit and must be cooled before bathers can take advantage of its invigorating properties.
The facilities include several indoor and outdoor tubs and Jacuzzis, including the outdoor Rock Lake – an artificial lake surrounded by boulders, perfect for soaking in the Northern Lights in the Winter. This part of Alaska is renowned for it’s Northern Lights viewing, as it is far from the city lights of Fairbanks and close to the Arctic circle. The resort offers many all inclusive winter tours that include a few nights of accommodation and the chance to see the beautiful Aurora Borealis.
The resort offers tours of it’s geo-thermal facilities as well as hiking, horseback riding, sled-dog cart rides, ATV tours, mountain biking, rafting, canoe trips, fishing for grayling, gold panning and even massage therapy.
Beyond the Hot Springs, Chena is also home to the Aurora Ice Museum, the world’s largest year-round ice museum with its very own ice bar!
Accommodations vary from hotel units to rustic cabins and a camping areas. There is plenty of RV parking and tent sites.
The main lodge features fine dining, intimate surroundings and a cozy fireplace and a coffee shop. 907- 452-7867
