Best dog sled tour

Question

We will be on a princess land tour staying at mckinley...we are looking at taking the shuttle to talkeetna to do a dog sled tour in the afternoon and then dinner in town...I found two dog sled tours...ak dog sled and susitna dog sled... any recommendations for either of those or any other ones we can get from talkeetna? Thanks!

Answer

Great question. Talkeetna offers some excellent dog sled (or “mushing”) experiences, and choosing between the kennels depends a lot on what kind of interaction or “ride” you want (sleded ride, kennel visit, summer cart, etc.), how much time you have, and how authentic you want it to feel.

Here’s a breakdown of the top dog sled tour operators in and around Talkeetna, with pros and recommendations:

Susitna Sled Dog Adventures — Probably your strongest pick for a true sled-mushing experience. Their kennel is based near Talkeetna, and they run classic winter sled rides, night rides, and half-day or overnight backcountry adventures. Their team is very experienced; the co-owners are seasoned mushers (Rohn & Alyssa Buser).
- Winter Classic Tour: About 1-hour ride (6 miles) with instruction, photos, and a turn driving or riding.
- Kennel Tour / Dog Walk (Summer): In the summer months they offer kennel walks, letting you meet the dogs, walk them, and learn more about their roles and personalities.
- Overnight & Multi-Day Adventures: They offer overnight trips to a backcountry lodge, giving a deeper, more immersive mushing experience.
Why choose them: High authenticity, very experienced mushers/racers, and real mushing trails.
Sun Dog Kennel — A very good option if you prefer something closer to town with a more relaxed, visitor-friendly kennel tour.
- You ride in a sled over local trails, though the ride may be shorter or less “race-style” than Susitna’s full mushing runs.
- There’s a narrated bus trip to the kennel, which gives historical and mushing context — good for families and first-timers.
- You’ll get time to meet the dogs, see them harnessed, and possibly play with puppies.
Why choose them: Easier logistically for a half-day trip from Talkeetna, less “adrenaline” mushing but more social and educational.
Alaska Wild Guides — They offer a combined snowmobile + dog sled / kennel tour.
- The trip is about 3.5–4.5 hours, combining a snowmobile ride with a kennel visit to meet the dogs.
- You’ll go out to their private trails, meet and learn from mushers, and get a feel for mushing + wilderness travel.
Why choose them: If you want a mix of quiet mushing + speed (snowmobile), or don’t want a pure sled ride but still want to see the dogs and hear their stories.

Which Tour Is Best for You?

Since you’re coming from a Princess land tour and plan to take a shuttle to Talkeetna for an afternoon and dinner, here are my tailored recommendations:

Go with Susitna Sled Dog Adventures if:
- You want the classic sled dog ride.
- You want a “real” mushing experience.
- You’re okay dedicating enough time (including travel to the kennel) to do it properly.
Choose Sun Dog Kennel if:
- Time is more limited (afternoon option, shorter ride).
- You want a laid-back, family-friendly experience.
- You're interested in interacting with the dogs, learning about their training, and seeing how a kennel works.
Pick Alaska Wild Guides if:
- You like a hybrid adventure (snowmobile + sled).
- You’re okay doing a few hours and want to see more landscape.
- You want to learn from mushers but don’t necessarily want to drive a sled.

Logistics & Tips:

Book early — especially in winter, dog sled tours fill up fast. Susitna’s overnight or specialty tours are very limited.
Ask your Princess land tour or shuttle provider how far the kennels are from Talkeetna drop-off and whether the shuttle can pick you up again later for dinner in town. (Some kennels are a bit outside of downtown.)
Dress in warm, layered clothing (thermal, waterproof outer layer, boots, gloves, etc.) — being out with sled dogs usually means cold.
If you want to combine dinner in Talkeetna, check tour end times to ensure you’re back in time — kennels may be outside town, so transit could be a factor.

Bottom Line: Of the two you named, Susitna Sled Dog Adventures is the top choice for authenticated sled mushing, while Sun Dog Kennel is great for a shorter, more accessible experience. If you want something a little different, Alaska Wild Guides offers a fun snowmobile + kennel combo. All are solid; pick based on how “deep” you want your mushing experience to be.

Best dog sled tour

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