Published: Jan 01, 2016
Last Updated: Feb 24, 2023
Dog sledding in Alaska is the most popular shore excursion. Dog sledding tours typically include a helicopter trip into the mountains and a dog sledding ride with Alaskan sled dogs on a glacier. These trips offer a glacier tour experience most people only dream of: the exhilarating dog sledding ride, sweeping beautiful views from the helicopter, and first-hand stories and experiences from guides.
Dog sledding has been a popular sport in Alaska for generations. Iditarod mushers will take you on a a dog sled ride, tell you stories from the world-famous race, and let you cuddle with sled dogs.
Read on to find our picks for the best dog sledding in Alaska:
Port: Juneau
Points of Interest: Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Icefield
Highlights: Dog Sledding, Helicopter, Glacier
Our most popular dog sled tour, and one of the best things to do in Juneau, is the Juneau Dog Sledding Tour. The 3-hour trip includes 25-30 minutes of flightseeing via helicopter and 1 hour at the dog sled camp. To see not one but two glaciers, try the extended trip.
Port: Skagway
Points of Interest: Denver Glacier
Highlights: Dog Sledding, Helicopter, Glacier
Skagway visitors can embark on the Skagway Dog Sledding Tour . The exciting two hour trip includes helicopter, glacier, and dog sled time. You’ll get the chance to drive the dog sled or relax and enjoy the awe-inspiring views. This is one of the more popular things to do in Skagway.
Port: Seward
Points of Interest: Godwin Glacier, Resurrection Bay
Highlights: Helicopter Tour, Dog Sledding, Wildlife
If your itinerary includes Seward, you can enjoy the beauty of winter during summer on a 90-minute helicopter tour and dog sledding ride. On this trip, you can enjoy views of Resurrection Bay and a dog sled ride on top of Godwin Glacier.
Port: Juneau
Points of Interest: Mendenhall Glacier, Juneau Icefield
Highlights: Dog Sledding, Helicopter, Glacier
On this dog sledding excursion, you ride a helicopter to Mendenhall Glacier, where the dog sledding camp is located. Alaskan sled dogs will take you on a thrilling mushing experience atop the glacier.
Port: Denali
Points of Interest: Husky Homestead
Highlights: Iditarod Husky Team, Play with Sled Dogs
Tour Iditarod Champion Jeff King’s Husky Homestead and experience Alaskan lifestyle. You’ll get a look at what goes into creating and training a championship Iditarod team. Plus, you can cuddle cute sled dog puppies!
Points of Interest: Knik River Lodge, Troublesome Glacier
Highlights: Helicopter Tour, Dog Sledding, Wildlife, Bears
This is a classic adventure and the only dog sledding tour in North Anchorage. If you need transportation from downtown Anchorage, book this version.
Port: Juneau
Points of Interest: Tongass National Rain Forest
Highlights: Play with Sled Dogs, Musher’s Camp
On the Juneau Musher’s camp tour you can learn about the lives of sled dogs and take a ride on a custom-designed wheeled sled. Afterward, you can grab a refreshment and wander through the camp to meet the dogs. This is a musher’s camp visit and the sled dog adventure is not on snow.
Port: Skagway
Points of Interest: Dyea, Gold Rush National Park
Highlights: Play with Sled Dogs, Musher’s Camp
The Skagway Musher’s Camp tour begins with an overview of historic Skagway as you drive toward Gold Rush National Park. Once there, sled dogs will take you on a beautiful ride through the backcountry of a historic gold rush site.
Port: Juneau
Points of Interest: Taku Glacier, Juneau Icefield
Highlights: Dog Sledding, Helicopter, Glacier
On this adventure, you can mush your own dog sledding team of huskies across a snow-capped glacier. This trip also includes a helicopter ride over Taku Glacier, which is recognized as the deepest and thickest temperate glacier known in the world.
The best dog sledding tours are:
There are dog sledding options in many ports, including Juneau, Skagway, and Anchorage. Each excursion typically includes a helicopter ride and dog sledding on a glacier. It's a must do in Alaska, but which port you try it in is up to you.
Yes! It is not uncommon to see three generations enjoying a dog sledding excursion together. For a milder adventure, a visit to a musher's camp is a good option.