Mushing

Park sled dogs patrol Denali, and pack down trails for winter visitors to use.

NPS photo / jacob w frank

 

Denali visitors can most closely approach the spirit of the park in Alaska on the back of a sled, behind a team of dogs. On a good day trails can be well established, and dogs may cover 30 miles or more while the musher mostly stands on the sled runners. On days after or during a snowstorm, the trails may be completely obliterated, and mushers move out ahead of the team to break trail.

The National Park Service maintains a kennel at Denali, and rangers continue the tradition of dog team patrols that begun by the first rangers in the 1920s.

Have your own team?

If you have your own sled dogs, you're welcome to mush in Denali. Travel is easiest along the trails already put in by rangers, but you may set your own path if you wish.

Please be prepared for all conditions and prior to starting any trip contact or stop in at the Winter Visitor Center (Murie Science and Learning Center) for the latest park information and trail conditions:

Murie Science and Learning Center
[phone]
Open 9 am -4 pm daily, excluding holidays

Also, remember that you must acquire a backcountry camping permit if you wish to spend one or more nights in the wilderness.

Need dogs?

Visitors who wish to explore Denali by dog team, but lack their own dogs should consider booking a trip with a guide. Two businesses are permitted to run guided mushing trips into Denali National Park and Preserve.

For single or multi-day trips:

Denali Dog Sled Expeditions
Jon Nierenberg
P.O. Box 89
Healy, AK 99743
[phone]
www.earthsonglodge.com

Denali West Lodge
Tonya and Carol Schlentner
P.O. Box 40 AC
Lake Minchumina, AK 99757
1-800-607-5567
www.denaliwest.com