13 Hot Springs in the USA Worth Booking

1.Hoover Dam & Hot Springs Kayak Tour with Lunch & Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 318 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $289Our pick

Paddle from Hoover Dam through Black Canyon to Arizona Hot Springs on a 12-mile, seven-hour trip. Evolution Expeditions provides kayaks, lunch, snacks, water, and guides such as Ryan, Faith, and Ashley. Expect steady effort, wildlife, geothermal pools, and a sauna cave.

“Amazing. Saw a grey fox, an eagle scoop up a duck, a pregnant mountain sheep, hot springs (fave part) and the most beautiful views”

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2.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 264 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $210

Spend about eight hours traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide such as Jean, Ray, or Gina. Soak in 106°F mineral water, tour the Aurora Ice Museum, see geothermal projects, and leave time for lunch, trails, or summer dog activities.

“This was an exciting trip. Our guide Jean was knowledgeable and shared a lot of stories about Alaska and their experience in this wilderness. The hot springs was a cool place and the outdoors spring pool was awesome. The ice museum was great and awesome. Cheers”

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3.Yellowstone Lower Loop Tour | Wildlife & Hot Springs | PRIVATE

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 127 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $424

Spend about eight hours exploring Yellowstone’s Lower Loop from West Yellowstone with a private naturalist guide such as Tin, Mike, Lisa, or Kat. You’ll visit Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, the Grand Canyon, Hayden Valley, and more, with a scope, binoculars, lunch, snacks, and hotel pickup included.

“My sister and I have had lots of guides but never our own, personal guide. The long drives in Yellowstone zipped by as Kat filled the time answering all our questions and so much more. Her knowledge of the area, animals, history and landscape was endless and fascinating. She even tailored the visit to match our interests. And her command of the English language was impeccable. Ask for Kat!”

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4.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 117 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $200

Spend about six and a half hours with a small group traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs. You’ll visit the Fairbanks Ice Museum, consider an optional geothermal tour, and soak in the resort’s thermal pools. Guides such as Ash, Paul, Joe, Jeff, and Ed are known for adding local stories and wildlife stops.

“Jeff, out your guide provided information on the area. He made a couple of detours showing us a beaver lodge and dam, plus a pretty lake. . He spotted a moose and stopped for additional viewing time. We were able to see the ice museum. Interesting place. If interested, you can drink martini from an ice martini glass. The hot springs were wonderful. Various temperatures and water guns. The water guns had cool water, very warm water, and with strong pressure with warm water that you could allow to hit your back. It was like getting a deep tissue massage. It felt magnificent. There is also a hot tub and…”

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5.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · from $215

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks with an English-speaking guide such as Gina or Greg, tour Chena’s ice museum, soak in 106 F mineral water, and search for the aurora. The small group has up to 14 people, with return to Fairbanks around 2 or 3am.

“Guide was great. She was helpful, knowledgable, pleasant, efficient and punctual.”

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6.Northern Lights and Chena Hot Springs Night Tour from Fairbanks

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 115 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $240

You’ll ride from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a driver-guide such as Ed, Jake, or Randy, tour the Ice Museum, soak in the springs, and wait for the aurora. The small-group trip lasts about 10.5 hours and returns around 4am.

“Our tour guide made this trip. The hour and half deive went swiftly by. We were first time travelers to Alaska and he talked about the area and answered alll of our questions. He did this with so much enthusiasm. He was fun and informative and helped everyone with their cameras when looking at the aroura. I absolutley loved the experience and would recommend to everyone. I will say dress really really warm. It was the coldest experience of my life waiting for the aroura. Just go. You wont be disappointed.”

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7.Yellowstone Lake & Hot Springs / 3 Hour Morning or Twilight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 94 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $125

Paddle 4 to 5 miles across Yellowstone Lake from Grant Marina with a guide such as Dylan, Maddi, or Tiffany. You’ll see geothermal features from the water, hear park stories, and may spot elk or bald eagles. Kayaks, paddles, life vests, splash gear, and dry bags are provided.

“I got altitude sickness and our guide Maddie was very helpful in getting me back to the dock..I was disappointed there wasn't more to see for the time I was on the trip. The rudder worked well. How can I get a tip to Maddue?”

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8.Spectacular Hot Spring Experience with Northern Lights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 70 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $245

Spend 8 to 10 hours traveling from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs with a small group of up to 14 people. Guides such as Tony, Chris, Savvy, Kevin, and Christopher combine the hot springs, Ice Museum, optional dinner, and a patient aurora chase.

“Tony was incredible! Just all around down to earth friendliest guy ever. Incredibly knowledgeable about everything aurora! We were able to see some lights at the hot springs but we did not see a show. Tony really wanted to experience a light show. He took us to another site and lo and behold we got a light show. He was incredibly flexible with how much time we wanted to do the specific activities! Take this tour! You will not be disappointed!”

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9.Chena Hot Springs Northern Lights Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 59 reviews · 10 hours · from $240

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs in a small group of up to 10. Tour the Aurora Ice Museum, spend about two hours in the hot springs, and watch for the northern lights with guides such as Joe, Ryan, Daniel, or Ash. Pickup is available from major Fairbanks hotels, not private homes.

“Paul was a great guide, knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic. Very much enjoyed the hot tub and springs”

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10.Full Day Ice Museum and Chena Hot Springs Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 32 reviews · 7 hours · from $200

Travel from Fairbanks to Chena Hot Springs for an ice museum visit, a geothermal-energy tour, and several hours in the pools. Guides such as Paul and Joe have led recent departures. Hotel pickup, museum entry, and pool admission are included, while lunch costs extra.

“Sadly, this trip fell far short. Guide’s commentary was not particularly informative during the hour plus drive to get there. The guide offered a folding plastic step stool to enter van that was cracked and broken to the point of being a safety concern. The van’s tire pressure alarm went off while driving and she just waved it off. Once there, the ice museum was closed due to a temperature variance, so that was a total bust (and the refund received for this was laughable). At that point, we were simply released to go find lunch (one available restaurant), visit hot springs or otherwise entertain ourselves til 5pm when she…”

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11.Chena Hot Springs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 16 reviews · from $210

Travel 60 miles from Fairbanks with an English-speaking guide such as Rachel or Jodie. Visit the Aurora Ice Museum, learn how Chena uses geothermal power, and soak in its mineral hot springs. The 8-hour trip includes pickup, admissions, and time for lunch, with food and drinks extra.

“Very knowledgeable and highly professional guide, very enjoyable and informative tour”

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12.Hot Springs: The Maxwell Blade Theatre of Magic

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $33Best value

Choose Maxwell Blade’s two-hour magic show, with grand illusions, comedy, piano music, close-up magic, and more than 12 performers, or Jonathan Erlandson’s intimate parlor show. Both take place at Hot Springs’ historic Malco Theater and cost $33 per person.

“Great. Felt welcomed as soon as i we walked in. Everyone was very nice. Show was SUPER”

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13.Hoover Dam Kayak Trip with 6 Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 8 hours · from $224

Paddle 12 miles downstream from Hoover Dam with an Adventure Child guide, stopping at Arizona Hot Springs, Infinity Hot Springs, Emerald Cave, and geothermal waterfalls. Guides such as Shawn, Johnny, and Cameron provide instruction, towing help, lunch, and local insight. Expect a demanding but rewarding day.

“We had an incredible experience as a family. The perfect November weather allowed Cameron (our guide) and his crew to shine. They provided activities for the whole family from age 83 to 27. It was everything it promised and more. I can not recommend this adventure enough! So grateful Cameron for the caves, the hot springs, the history, bonding with nature, the positive attitude, the pictures, and especially the tandem with Grandma on her bucket list trip! Can't wait to do it again.”

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