Our Mid-Day Summer Tour
June – September
We run this tour from early June through mid-September. Our last day of hiking usually coincides with the end of the best fall foliage.
An Alternative to Mushing
We recommend this tour for groups larger than 5 people, or for those parties who are looking to do something with sled dogs in the middle of the day. Â
Unlike other tour companies in Fairbanks, Black Spruce Dog Sledding is owned and operated by real long distance racing mushers. Jeff and KattiJo Deeter are veterans of the 1,000 mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race! Our experienced tour guides have lots of stories and insights to share, so come with your questions, and get ready to dive deep into dog mushing!
This tour includes many of the same aspects as our mushing tours. But the activity for the dogs is running loose on the tundra, instead of pulling in harness. While the dogs play, the humans walk and talk about all things related to Alaska, long distance racing, and living off the grid.
Tour Description
We start this hiking tour by introducing you to the sport of long distance racing, and our Alaskan Huskies. Find out where this special breed came from and why they are the most popular sled dog in the world. We encourage you to walk around the dog yard and meet our friendly canines!
After introductions, we’ll turn loose a group of dogs and hit the trail. The length of trail may be up to three miles, depending on weather, and the abilities of our dogs and visitors. Please let us know if someone in your group has limited mobility.
Having stretched our legs and taken in the Fairbanks scenery, we’ll wind down the tour by introducing you to this summer’s pups!
Before you leave, don’t forget to check out our winter mushing gear, including the dog sled, as well as human and canine clothing.
Tour Length
Most groups spend between 2 and 3 hours here, but this will vary depending on the length of the hike, and the amount of Q & A your group wants to do with your guides. Walks for older visitors and/or younger pups will probably be shorter. Hikes for energetic visitors and older dogs will be longer. Our longest trail is 3 miles of semi-hilly terrain. When making your booking, please let us know what level of activity is best for your group.
The trail is 5 miles in length, but the entire tour experience includes everything from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. Most people spend between 1.5 and 2.5 hours here, depending on their level of interest and participation. If you are someone who wants to ask lots of questions, pet all the dogs and take lots of pictures, that’s great! You’ll probably be here for two or more hours. If you are uncomfortable in the cold, don’t like dogs, or don’t have a lot of questions, your tour will wrap up sooner.
Group Size
You may book online for up to 5 people, but we can easily accommodate more than that. Just call, email or text and we will adjust your reservation accordingly.
Are you a solo traveler? We don’t run entire tours for just one person, but we can add you to another group that is already scheduled to go out. To make your reservation, go to the online booking calendar and find a date/time in which the “# seats left” language shows less than 5. Since 5 people is our maximum group size, any number less than 5 indicates a pre-existing reservation, and you should be able to join this tour. Call, text or email us if you need assistance.
Price
- $145 for adults & teens
- $125 for kids 12 & under
There is no charge for non-ambulatory kids (infants in carriers).Â
There are no discounts for military or large groups.
Transportation
Driving Yourself:
Most visitors drive themselves to our location. Our favorite rental car companies are Alaska Auto Rental and Fairbanks 4 x 4.Â
Getting a Ride:
We do NOT recommend using Uber or Lyft to get here. We are located about 45 minutes from Fairbanks, which means those services may bring you here, but don’t usually want to come pick you up.
For reliable transportation, consider using a shuttle service like Fairbanks Trails and Rivers. You can call or text them at (907) 750-5179.
There are other shuttle companies in Fairbanks as well. Contact the Fairbanks Visitors Center for more ideas.
Please arrange your transportation before booking your tour.
If you hire a taxi or cab, ask them to wait while you take your tour.Â
Drive Times:
Fairbanks/Airport – 45 minutes
Chena Hot Springs – 2.5 hours
North Pole – 1.5 hours
Cleary Summit – 1.5 hours
Healy / Denali National Park – 2.5 hours
We are located approximately 15 miles / 45 minutes northwest of Fairbanks. Drive times are longer if coming from Chena Hot Springs (2.5 hours), North Pole (1.5 hours) or Cleary Summit (1.25 hours).
We do not provide transportation to/from our location. Most of our visitors have their own personal or rental vehicle. Most of the time a small, compact car can make the trip up here just fine. However, in winter, snow storms may force us to temporarily restrict our tours to only those visitors with all-wheel drive (AWD) or (4WD).
Looking for a ride?
- Fairbanks Trails and Rivers at (907) 750-5179
- Avoid Uber/Lyft, as they have historically been very unreliable for getting to/from our location.
- Fairbanks Trails and Rivers at (907) 750-5179
- Avoid Uber/Lyft! These options tend to be very unreliable for getting to/from our location.
- Fairbanks Trails and Rivers at (907) 750-5179
- Avoid Uber/Lyft! These options tend to be very unreliable for getting to/from our location.
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We are located approximately 15 miles / 45 minutes northwest of Fairbanks. Drive times are longer if coming from Chena Hot Springs (2.5 hours), North Pole (1.5 hours) or Cleary Summit (1.25 hours).
Most of our visitors have their own personal or rental vehicle. Usually a small, compact car can make the trip up here just fine. However, in winter, snow storms may force us to temporarily restrict our tours to only those visitors with all-wheel drive (AWD) or (4WD).
Need a ride?
- Fairbanks Trails and Rivers at (907) 750-5179
- Avoid Uber/Lyft! These options tend to be very unreliable for getting to/from our location.
Cancellation Policy
To cancel your tour and receive a full refund, we require you give at least 24 hours advanced notice before the start time/date of your tour. If you do not give at least 24 hours advanced notice of your cancellation you will not receive a refund. No partial refunds are given.
On rare occasion, we must cancel or reschedule tours on account of poor weather. In the summer, this is typically extreme heat (for the dogs) or forest fire smoke. If we need to cancel your tour it is for reasons of safety and comfort for you or our dogs, and we will try our hardest to find a time in which to reschedule you. If we are unable to find an alternate tour time for your group, you will receive a full refund for your tour.
Please be aware that weather conditions can be drastically different between our kennel and the Fairbanks metro and North Pole areas. Don’t assume that tours will be canceled based solely on weather conditions in these other areas. We will always contact you in the event of a cancellation or need to reschedule.
Our Other Tours
Sled Dog Safari
This is Alaska’s best summer sled dog experience! Learn about long distance racing from experienced Iditarod mushers. Get up close and personal with some of the sport’s best athletes – human and canine. Come check it out!
Scenic Day Mushing
The #1 winter dog sledding tour in Fairbanks! All visitors try driving a dog sled as well as sitting and relaxing as a passenger. Learn how to harness and help hook up your team of huskies! Experience the only tag-sledding tour in Fairbanks.