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Year-Round Mushing

Dog ATV Tour

Ride a motor-assisted side-by-side ATV behind our team of working sled dogs as they pull you down the scenic Nature Trail. The sledding experience, year-round.
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dog atv ride

Quick Facts

Duration

30 Minutes

Location

Meet at Dog Yard

Age

5+

Intensity

Adventurous

Reserve Your Tour

$65 per person

Dog ATV Tour - Chena Hot Springs

Dog ATV Tour

At a Glance
Distance
1.5 mi
Min Age
2+
Vehicle
Side x Side
Power
Dog Team
Our sled dog team pulls a side-by-side ATV along the scenic Nature Trail
Motor stays on to assist the dogs — easier on them, same energy from them
Open to ages 2 and up — kennel experience for the whole family
Don't Let The Weather Stop You From Dog Mushing
1.5-Mile Nature Trail  ·  Ages 2+

About

Chena Hot Springs is home to a working sled dog kennel, and our dogs live to pull. On cool days we take them out for a run along our scenic Nature Trail — but instead of a sled, you ride in a side-by-side ATV. Same dogs, same energy, just an easier load.

The motor on the side-by-side stays on the whole time to assist the team. The dogs still pull, and they make it known — barking, jumping, and ready to go from the moment we start hooking them up. This is standard practice in the sled dog industry and is what lets the kennel run tours year-round without overworking the dogs in warmer weather.

Tour Details

Meeting Point
Chena Hot Springs Activity Center
Trail
1.5-mile scenic Nature Trail loop
Vehicle
Side-by-side ATV pulled by our dog team, motor-assisted
Min Age
Ages 2 and up
Why it works: Sled dogs still need to run when there's no snow on the ground. The side-by-side with the motor running takes the load off the team so they get the exercise they want without the strain of a full pull. Real working dogs, real Alaskan kennel.

Pricing

Per Person Ages 2+
See calendar

What's Included

Ride in our side-by-side ATV while our dog team pulls you along the scenic trail
Time at the kennel to meet the dogs as the team is hooked up
A working sled-dog experience, year-round, no snow required

What to Bring

Closed-toe shoes
Snacks of your liking and bottled water

What Not to Bring

Other dogs or pets
Live pricing: Current rates and availability are shown in the booking calendar to the right. Larger groups please call ahead.

The Nature Trail

The route is a 1.5-mile scenic loop through boreal spruce forest right behind the resort. It's the same trail the dogs train on, so they know every corner of it. Quiet, mostly flat, and built for the working dog — not for thrill rides.

The whole experience starts at the kennel. You'll watch as the team gets harnessed and lined out — there is no quiet moment in a sled dog kennel right before a run. From there, the team pulls and the motor assists, and you cruise out into the woods with the dogs doing what they were born to do.

The Side x Side Vehicle

The side-by-side seats guests next to the driver-guide. The motor is on for the entire tour, both to keep the load light on the dogs and to keep things safe in case the team decides to test gravity on a corner. The team out front does the work that matters.

Working sled-dog team out front, motor-assisted side-by-side behind
Open to guests ages 2 and up
Kennel time before the ride — meet the dogs, watch the hook-up

Before You Ride

Wear closed-toe shoes
Bring snacks and bottled water
Leave other dogs and pets behind — they cannot come on tour
Children must be accompanied by an adult

At the Kennel

Sled dogs are loud, excitable, and friendly working dogs — listen to your guide for how to greet them
Hook-up time is the loudest part of the tour. This is normal — the dogs are excited to run
Stay clear of harnesses and gangline once the team is hooked up

On the Trail

Remain seated at all times while the vehicle is moving
Do not exit the vehicle while it is in motion
Follow all guide instructions throughout the tour
Health Consideration: The tour involves riding on uneven, off-road terrain. Guests with back or neck injuries, or those who are pregnant, should consult with staff before booking.

Cancellation Policy

Notice Required
24-hour notice required for cancellations
Refund
Full refund with proper notice
No-Shows
May be charged full amount without notice

Arrival & Check-In

Arrival Time
Arrive at the Activity Center 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time
Walk to Kennel
A short 10-minute walk from the Activity Center after check-in
Walking Limits
If anyone has walking limitations, driving closer to the kennels is possible after check-in — just ask at the activities desk
Late Arrivals
Tour may depart without you if you arrive late
Weather Policy: Tours may be modified or cancelled for the safety of the dogs and guests due to weather or trail conditions. In such cases, we'll contact you and offer rescheduling or a full refund.
📋 Overview
▼

Our sled dogs live to pull, and on warmer days the side-by-side ATV is how we let them. The dogs pull, the motor assists, and you ride along our 1.5-mile Nature Trail with a real working dog team out front. Open to ages 2 and up.

Why it works: The motor takes the load off the team. Same dogs, same energy, no snow required.
💰 Rates
▼
Per Person Ages 2+
See calendar
What to Bring
Closed-toe shoes
Snacks and bottled water
What Not to Bring
Other dogs or pets
🐕 Experience
▼

The tour starts at the kennel where you'll meet the dogs and watch the team get hooked up. From there, the dogs pull a motor-assisted side-by-side ATV through 1.5 miles of scenic Nature Trail behind the resort.

Working sled dog kennel
1.5-mile scenic loop
Open to ages 2 and up
🛡️ Safety
▼
Closed-toe shoes required
No other dogs or pets
Listen to your guide at the kennel — sled dogs are loud and excitable at hook-up, which is normal
Remain seated at all times while the vehicle is moving
Do not exit the vehicle in motion
📅 Policies
▼
Cancellation
24hr notice required
Arrival
30 minutes early at Activity Center
Kennel Walk
Short 10-min walk after check-in (or drive closer if needed)
No-Shows
May be charged full amount

Book Your Tour

Live Availability
?
907-451-8104

FAQ

Check in at the Activity Center at the main resort 30 minutes before your scheduled tour time. From there it's a short 10-minute walk to the dog kennel where the tour begins.

If anyone in your party has walking limitations, it's possible to drive closer to the kennels after check-in. Just let the activities desk know when you arrive and we'll arrange it.

Both. The dogs pull and absolutely love their job — you'll see it in the barking and jumping as we hook them up. The motor on the side-by-side stays running to assist them, which is standard practice in the sled dog industry. It lets us enjoy time with the dogs without overworking them, especially on warmer days.

The trail itself is 1.5 miles along our scenic Nature Trail. Plan for around an hour overall from check-in through the walk to the kennel, time with the dogs as they're hooked up, the ride, and the walk back.

Guests must be at least 2 years old to participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

No outside dogs or pets on this tour. The kennel is a working environment with a full team of sled dogs, and outside animals can disrupt or stress the team.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Dress for the weather — the trail runs through the woods and can feel cooler than the resort grounds. We recommend bringing snacks of your liking and bottled water for the ride.

Sled dogs need to run year-round, not just when there's snow. Using a motor-assisted side-by-side ATV lets the team get the work they want without the strain of a fully loaded sled in warm conditions. It's how working kennels stay running through summer and shoulder seasons — and it means the tour goes whether there's snow on the ground or not.

Cancellations require 24 hours notice for a full refund. No-shows may be charged the full amount. Tours may be modified or cancelled for the safety of the dogs and guests due to weather or trail conditions, in which case you'll be offered a reschedule or full refund.

The tour involves riding on uneven, off-road terrain. Guests with back or neck injuries, or those who are pregnant, should consult with resort staff before booking.

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