Chena Hot Springs Road
Hot springs at the end of Alaska's backcountry road
The Chena Hot Springs Road cuts a swath through 56 miles of Alaska’s raw interior, starting where the pavement ends at mile 5 and continuing deep into the Chena River State Recreation Area. What begins as a gravel road quickly becomes a journey through caribou country, with the Chena River paralleling your route and countless unnamed peaks rising from the boreal forest. The road terminates at the famous Chena Hot Springs Resort, but the real draw is the dozen-plus river crossings and the granite tors that jut from the landscape like ancient sentinels.
This isn’t technical wheeling—any stock truck with decent ground clearance can make it—but come prepared for washouts, seasonal flooding, and road conditions that change with every storm. Summer brings mosquitoes the size of small aircraft and 20-hour daylight; winter offers aurora viewing but requires winter tires and survival gear. The payoff is soaking in 106°F natural springs after a day of bouncing over frost heaves, plus some of the most reliable northern lights viewing in North America. Fuel up in Fairbanks—there’s nothing out here but wilderness.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 56 mi / 90.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2400 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock high-clearance vehicle |
| Nearest town | Fairbanks, Alaska |
| Land manager | Alaska State Parks |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | dnr.alaska.gov |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Chena Hot Springs Road without modifications?
Yes. The trail is graded gravel with manageable water crossings — a stock high-clearance 4x4 is the minimum and handles it fine. Lifted rigs aren't required, but good all-terrain tires and solid ground clearance make the rougher sections more comfortable.
Is Chena Hot Springs Road accessible in winter?
The road stays open year-round, but May through October is the practical overland window. Winter brings extreme cold, icy conditions, and deep snow — it's doable but demands serious cold-weather prep, and you're not doing it for the scenery, you're doing it for the aurora.
Do I need a permit to drive or camp on Chena Hot Springs Road?
No permit is required to drive the road. Dispersed camping is allowed within the Chena River State Recreation Area under Alaska State Parks rules — no fee, no reservation, just follow Leave No Trace and the 14-day stay limit.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The road gets progressively rougher as you push east toward mile 50+, with washboarding, loose gravel, and creek crossings that can rise with rain or snowmelt. Nothing here is technically brutal, but complacency on the wet crossings or at speed on the washboard will bite you.
Is there any cell service on the route, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
Cell service is essentially nonexistent once you leave Fairbanks — plan accordingly and carry a satellite communicator. Fill up in Fairbanks before heading out; the resort at the end has limited services but you shouldn't count on fuel availability there.
Trail track
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