Best Alaska Dog Sledding Tours

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 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:

 

1. Juneau Dog Sledding & Glacier Helicopter Tour

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.

 

2. Skagway Glacier Sled Dog Experience by Helicopter Tour

Port: Skagway

Points of Interest: Denver Glacier

Highlights: Dog Sledding Learning Experience, Helicopter, Glacier

Skagway visitors can join the Skagway Dog Sledding Tour. The exciting two hour trip includes helicopter, glacier, and immersive dog sled learning experience. Assist the musher with dog sled preparation and observe a skilled musher demonstrate dog mushing techniques. This is one of the more popular things to do in Skagway.

 

3. Seward Dog Sledding and Helicopter Tour

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.

 

4. Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding and Helicopter Tour

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.

 

5. Denali Iditarod Husky Homestead Tour

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!

 

6. Anchorage Glacier Dog Sledding via Helicopter Tour

Port: Anchorage

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.

 

7. Juneau Musher’s Camp Tour

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.

 

8. Skagway Musher’s Camp Tour

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.

 

9. Juneau Dog Sled World & Glaicer Helicopter Adventure

Port: Juneau

Points of Interest: 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. 

 

FAQ

What are the best dog sledding tours in Alaska?

The best dog sledding tours are:

• Juneau Dog Sledding & Glacier Helicopter Tour
• Skagway Glacier Sled Dog Experience by Helicopter Tour 
• Dog Sledding Tour & Glacier Flightseeing Tour
• Seward Dog Sledding and Helicopter Tour
• Mendenhall Glacier Dog Sledding and Helicopter Tour
• Denali Iditarod Husky Homestead Tour

What is the best port for dog sledding?

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.

Is dog sledding a family friendly excursion?

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.