Dew Claw Kennel
Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime Alaskan adventure.
We offer dog sled overnight camping trips in the beautiful White Mountains north of Fairbanks. You can book an overnight adventure which includes 2 days of mushing and a night at our private camp. Or you might enjoy a longer 3 night trip. This is an active adventure, you will be driving a sled with your own team of dogs. Guests should be comfortable standing and balancing for 3-4 hours outside in winter conditions with some periods of physical exertion.* All our trips can be custom tailored to our guests. Small group size allows us to focus on you, making sure everything from the length of the run to the meal choices is good for your group. This is your vacation, and we want to provide a unique experience you will remember for a lifetime.
What is a Dew Claw trip like?
click here to see a video created by a guests to see for yourself.
Who will you be traveling with.
Your experienced guides, Dan Kaduce and Jodi Bailey have decades of experience driving dogs. Both are veterans of the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest and Iditarod sled dog races. They are joined by Alex Pai, who has been mushing with Dew Claw for 3 years guiding, and competing in distance mushing events. Your friendly team of Alaskan Huskies have been bred and trained specifically for long distance mushing, and are super excited to show you just how incredibly adapted and capable they are at winter travel.
Each adventure is unique.
Small group size and our private camp site ensure your trip is all about you. There will be time for photos, dog snuggles,and storytelling. Traveling by dog team is an uniquely Alaskan experience. Working with your team of sled dogs to move over our snow covered wilderness is an amazing feeling. And we end the day at a campsite where humans and dogs can cozy up and relax for the night. Dogs are cared for, and dinner is cooked, and then its time to relax by the campfire and enjoy the night sky. If we are lucky the Aurora (Northern Lights) will come out and dance for us. In the morning you will leave from camp and head out on the trails for another run with the Dew Claw dogs finishing back at the kennel.
This is a fully guided trip, however if guests choose they are welcome to take part in all aspects of the trip, such as harnessing and feeding dogs, your guides will be happy to show you how and answer any questions you have.
We have heated tents, and provide cots, pillows, and sleeping bags so you will get a comfortable nights sleep. In the evening we cook dinner over the campfire, with sweets including s'mores for dessert. A full hot breakfast is cooked at camp in the morning. Hot drinks include: coffee, tea, coco, hot cider, and there are always snacks available.
Sample menus:
Herb butter Alaskan salmon with couscous and fire roasted veggies
Reindeer sausage with savory bean stew
Breakfast burritos with bacon, veg, and cheese
Continental breakfast with oatmeal, yogurt, granola, dried fruits and nuts, and various baked goods.
We can accommodate special diets and preferences please let us know when you book.
For folks who would like a more intensive instructional mushing experience we offer Mushing Boot Camps by request. If you are wanting to get a solid skill base or to improve your winter camping and long distance racing skills we can arrange an intensive personal hands on learning opportunity. These range from 3-7 days and are tailored to your personal mushing goals.
*Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or concerns about the activity level of our trips. We have options and adaptations that may make this trip more accessible, and we make every effort to be inclusive when possible.
THINGS TO KNON
At Dew Claw Kennel we believe that adventure is for everyone. We strive to be respectful and inclusive. We welcome guests from all religions and cultures, and are proud to be a safe space for LGBQT+, BIPOC travelers.
Rates for camping trips start at $1250 a night and include personal mushing and camp guides for the entire trip, 2 days of mushing, all meals, snacks, and drinks for the duration of the trip.
No previous dog sledding experience needed.
However please be aware that this is an outdoor active experience.
This price does not include transportation to/from the kennel. But we can help you arrange transportation.
We do have arctic gear to help supplement guests' clothing.
Please contact us if you are unsure about what to wear and bring on your trip.
There is additional information on our Tour Page FAQ