Sled Dog Demonstrations

One of the highlights of Denali National Park is the sled dog demonstration at the kennels behind headquarters. The dogs are beautiful and accessible (the ones not behind fences are chosen for friendliness and patience with people), and the anxious collective howl they orchestrate when the lucky six dogs are selected to run is something to hear.

Naturalists give a talk about the current and historical uses of dogs in the park, their breeding and training, different commands for controlling them, and the challenge of maintaining a working kennel in a national park. Then dogs are hitched up to a wheel sled and run around a gravel track. The enthusiasm of the dogs to get off the chain and into the harness is an eyebrow-raising glimpse into the consciousness of Alaskan sled dogs—they live to run.

Demonstrations are given daily at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. A free shuttle bus leaves the Denali Visitors Center and the Riley Creek bus shelter 30 minutes before the demos. Don’t miss this one!

© Don Pitcher from Moon Alaska, 10th Edition