Circle
Hot Springs | Chena
Hot Springs | Hotels
Before gold fever hit the Klondike, Circle was the
largest town on the Yukon River. Gold was discovered on
Birch Creek in 1893 and the town grew as a supply point,
servicing the new diggings with modern buildings and
services.
Circle is 50 miles (80 km) south of the Arctic
Circle, and was erroneously named by miners who thought
it was far closer. 162 miles from Fairbanks via
the Steese Highway (State Route 6), Circle provides a
scenic overnight side-trip with the opportunity to enjoy
two hot springs resorts, and to stand beside the
impressive Yukon River. Along the highway are old mining
camps, several excellent spots for viewing northern
wildflowers, picnic areas, and camp grounds. You'll meet
the Yukon River at the tiny village of Circle, set at the
very end of the road.
Chena Hot Springs is much closer to Fairbanks,
via the Steese Highway and then an 8.5 mile road.
Circle Hot Springs
The hot springs near Circle were discovered by
prospector William Greats in 1893. Many miners spent
their winters at the springs, using tents for bath
houses, when the creeks were too frozen to work. The
Circle Hot Springs Road junction is located 128 miles
(206 km) from the start of the Steese Highway. A side
road runs for 8.3 miles to the resort. The resort is
built around the Olympic-sized pool, and a historic hotel
which offers rooms, cabins, a hostel on the fourth floor,
and dining.
Most local residents live not in the village, but
along the river, coming to town by boat to pick up
supplies. The Yukon Trading Post houses the restaurant,
saloon, post office, a gas station, and liquor store. The
H.C. Company Store also has gas, and sells groceries and
snacks. To catch a feeling for the founding of Circle
during the 1893 gold rush, walk through the small Pioneer
Cemetery, with its old markers. You get there by walking
upriver on a gravel road, past a barricade, and to a
trail which is reached by crossing a private front yard.
Please respect this privately-owned access.
A campground is located two miles before you reach the
resort, and camping spots are also found at the end of
the road, beside the Yukon River. Here, there is a
parking area, picnic tables and toilets
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Chena Hot Springs
Chena Hot Springs Resort is accessible via
Chena Hot Springs Road. Turn off the Steese Hwy. at mile
4.6 (km 7.4) and drive for 56.5 miles (91 km). This is an
easy day-trip from Fairbanks, leading you to a relaxing
time in the large, enclosed thermal pool, a 2,800
square-foot redwood deck, and a 10-person whirlpool.
There is a dining room and overnight accommodations,
including hotel rooms, cabins, and camping. The resort
has an RV park with electrical hookups and dump station.
Winter activities include cross-country skiing, guided
snowmobile rides, and warm soaking with piles of snow
outside.
The first ice hotel to be built in the United
States was constructed in 2004 at the hot springs resort, 60 miles northeast of
Fairbanks. The gothic-style hotel was
designed and built by 10-time World Ice Art
Championships winner Steve Brice. Chena Hot Springs erected the first version of the Aurora Ice Hotel -- (renamed the Aurora Ice Museum --in January, 2004.
The museum features a gallery and ice bar, overhead chandeliers made of individually carved ice crystals which change color every six seconds mimicing the northern lights, countless sculptures including a gigantic chess set, life sized jousting knights, an ice fireplace and four galleries with varying themes. The architect of most of the art is 14 time World Ice Art Champion Steve Brice and his wife, Heather.
For more
information, go to the resort's
web site.
