eventsholic logo Home About Map Contact SignUp Add Event

About Sled Dog Demonstration at Denali National Park & Preserve

These are no racing dogs! Denali's Alaskan huskies are stockier than dogs used in races like the Iditarod - they're built for power rather than speed. Their winter job is two-fold, as their patrols around the wilderness of the park also end up leaving great trails for skiers or recreational dog mushers to travel. In summer, they are furry ambassadors, helping people understand what it means to travel in the Alaskan wilderness. At one of our demonstrations, you'll learn about the history of dogs in the park and watch a ranger ride a sled pulled by a team of sled dogs.

Demonstration times vary during the year, peaking at 3 demonstrations per day during the main summer months.

In 2018, the schedule will be:

 Morning: 10 am - 10:45 am.
Offered daily from May 20 - September 13
 
Early afternoon: 2 pm - 2:45 pm
Offered daily from May 15 - September 18
 
Late afternoon: 4 pm - 4:45 pm
Offered daily from June 1 - September 3

Please note, parking is very limited at the sled dog kennels. Therefore, we ask all demonstration attendees to come to the Denali Visitor Center early, to use our free bus system to reach the sled dog kennels. Buses begin departing from the visitor center 45 minutes before a program is scheduled to start - i.e., if you wish to attend the 2 pm demonstration, arrive at the Denali Visitor Center around 1:15 pm.

As many buses as are needed will bring attendees from the visitor center to the sled dog demo, until 15 minutes before the program starts - at that point, buses will no longer bring attendees to the kennels (i.e., if you arrive at the visitor center at 1:55 pm, you will not be able to catch the bus). So please, arrive early at the visitor center to ensure you are on time to see the program!
Before and after the program, you'll have a chance to pet some of the dogs and talk to rangers and volunteers who work in the kennels. Buses will bring all attendees back to the visitor center after the program, although on a nice day it is a great downhill walk (~ 1.5 miles) back to the visitor center.

Location: Sled Dog Kennels (Mile 3.1, Denali Park Road)
Fee Information: Free
Contact Name: Denali National Park
Contact Phone Number: (907) 683-9532