Learn night-sky camera skills, then ride to Charlie Dome for aurora viewing from heated yurts
6.5 Hours
Transport, heated yurt, drinks
Learn how to photograph the night sky, then head up Charlie Dome for a guided aurora viewing experience with warm shelter and hot drinks. You’ll get hands-on instruction for smartphone or DSLR and plenty of time on the summit to practice.
Please arrive 15 minutes before the tour starts. Aurora visibility cannot be guaranteed, and no refunds or rescheduling are issued due to lack of aurora activity. Warm winter clothing is recommended, and you may bring a smartphone or camera gear such as a tripod and extra batteries.
24+ hour advance notice is required for cancellations. Sales are final within 24 hours of the booking, and no refunds will be given at that time.
Arrive at the activity center 15 minutes before start time. The itinerary includes a 60-minute workshop in the upstairs conference room, a 15-minute break to prep for the SUSV trip (then meet back at the activity center), and a 5-hour aurora viewing experience.
Bring a smartphone or DSLR/mirrorless camera, extra batteries, and a tripod. Gloves that allow easy camera use are recommended.
This experience is for ages 16+.
Chena Hot Springs Resort
About an hour and a half outside Fairbanks, this resort delivers one of Alaska's most genuinely memorable experiences. Soaking in a natural hot spring while snow blankets the landscape and the Northern Lights ripple overhead is the kind of thing people come back from talking about for years. The outdoor pool runs warm, the ice museum is a real highlight, and the aurora guides who hang around at night are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about sharing what they know. A few practical things worth knowing before you go: bring water shoes, as outdoor footwear isn't allowed in the pool areas, and definitely pack a water bottle since the springs are surprisingly dehydrating. Towels and swimsuits are available on-site if you forget yours. For food, the cafe is a more wallet-friendly option than the main restaurant. One recurring note from visitors involves water quality in the springs, which some find a bit off-putting, so that's worth factoring in if you're sensitive to that sort of thing. Overall, the sentiment here leans strongly positive, and for good reason. The setting alone is hard to beat, and most visitors leave feeling like it was well worth the drive.
Took about 1hr 20mins from Fairbanks to get there.
Susan Baker
May 19, 2026
Took about 1hr 20mins from Fairbanks to get there.
Susan Baker
May 19, 2026