NPS Photo / Jacob W. Frank There's no better way to experience the winter spirit of Denali than from the back of a sled, behind a team of dogs. The National Park Service maintains a sled dog kennel at Denali, where rangers continue the tradition of dog team patrols that began with the first rangers in the 1920s. Visitors with their own dogs are also welcome to participate in this traditional Alaskan activity by mushing or skijoring in the park. While pets are generally prohibited on park trails (with a few exceptions; see pet regulations), working dogs are allowed from October 1 through April 14 each year. To be considered a working dog, dogs must be in a harness and be pulling a person or a sled (e.g. skijoring, dogsledding, or freight hauling). When not actively pulling a load, all dogs must be on a leash no longer than six feet. Where to GoTravel is easiest along the routes already put in by rangers (described below), but you may set your own path and mush or skijor off-trail if you wish. In late fall and early winter, you can begin mushing from a parking lot near the kennels. Just beyond the Headquarters flagpole and parking lot, a side road winds downhill to the kennels area. Tie offs are available for dog teams and you'll find a short connecting trail that leads either back up to the main road, or to our Spring Trail, depending on conditions. The Spring Trail runs parallel to the park road, through the woods on the south side of the road. After several miles, it eventually connects back to the park road. Download a print-friendly map of the Headquarters area. In mid- to late winter, plowing begins on the park road. Once the road is open to Mountain Vista (Mile 13), typically in mid-February, you are welcome to drive there to begin your trip. Parking for mushers is available just past the Mountain Vista Rest Area, at the gate where the road is closed. Please park off to the side and do not block the gate. The mushing route begins on the south side of the road and initially runs parallel to the road as it heads west. Look for the short access paths that drop from the road down to the mushing route. This print-friendly map of the Mountain Vista area illustrates where mushing access is available. You must also get a backcountry camping permit for overnight trips. Skijoring is possible on all of the mushing routes mentioned above. Popular locations include parking at Headquarters (Mile 3) to skijor west on the Denali Park Road or, after mid-February, beginning at Mountain Vista (Mile 13) to skijor west on the mushing route or the park road. Be prepared to yield to dog teams—stop and move to the side of the road or off the trail if a dog team approaches. While most trails in the frontcountry area are too narrow or steep to comfortably skijor, the Roadside Bike Trail and loops within Riley Creek Campground are good, shorter options that are occasionally groomed when conditions allow. Expect to encounter other visitors walking, snowshoeing, and skiing on these trails. Trail ConditionsSnow can fall any time from September onward, but conditions are often poor until mid-November or even early December. Winter conditions can be extremely variable and snow may be deep, wind-blown, icy, or nonexistent. Contact us for current conditions. Typically, the eastbound lane of the Denali Park Road is packed with a six inch base of snow, while the westbound lane is left soft and un-groomed. Often, you'll find ski tracks in the powder of the westbound lane. As you travel west from Headquarters (Mile 3), the road climbs gradually uphill until near Mile 9, gaining about 1,000 feet of elevation. From there, the route drops slightly back downhill toward Mountain Vista (Mile 13). Generally, there isn't enough snow to use the Spring Trail until later in winter. Use extreme caution on this trail—it is never wide enough for dog teams to pass head-on and is heavily forested. Ice domes and sections of exposed rock can also occur. MapsThe map below shows common routes that are used each year. These routes are not always passable, and often have serious hazards and challenges such as deep snow, open water, bare ice, wind-scoured bare ground, and more. You can also download the routes for your own use. Note that these files represent general routes. They do not represent current conditions and the actual route you find in the park may deviate slightly in course and location.
Need Dogs? Denali Dog Sled Expeditions |
Last updated: October 25, 2024