Sled Dogs

Sled dogs have helped patrol and protect Denali as long as there has been a park.

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Sled Dogs Details

Sled dogs have helped patrol and protect Denali as long as there has been a park. Harry Karsten, the first park ranger hired at Denali, was a veteran musher who had helped naturalist Charles Sheldon conduct his landmark study on the park's Dall sheep; Sheldon was also an important early advocate for establishing what would become Mt. McKinley National Park. Karsten founded the park kennels, and his first job was to travel the park with his dog team to deter poaching. As more rangers were hired, more dog teams were established to go out on patrols that sometimes lasted for months. The designation of vast areas of Denali as Wilderness in 1980, where motorized vehicles are banned, helped reinforce the need for dog-sled patrols. Dog sleds still log more than 3,000 patrol miles each year and help transport Park Rangers, carry supplies, and ensure that illegal activity is not taking place on park lands. From the beginning, the dog teams have been one of the most popular attractions for park visitors. During the summer, daily sled-dog demonstrations attract more than 50,000 spectators each year. Demonstrations are held up to three times daily at the park kennels. Buses, some with wheelchair lifts, transport visitors from the Denali Visitor Center to the nearby sled dog kennels (there is no public parking, but you can also walk the 1.5 path to the kennels). The kennels are home to about 30 Alaskan huskies, enough to run three seven-dog sleds simultaneously. The dogs are specially bred to pull the sleds and survive the harsh Alaskan weather. Sled-dog demonstrations last approximately 30 minutes and include a tour of the kennels and Rangers explaining the operation of the sleds and how the dogs work together. Since there's no snow, the demonstration is done with a wheeled sled. The kennel amphitheater has limited seating, so arrive early if you want or need a seat. Buses leave the Denali Visitor Center 40 minutes before the start of the demonstration. No reservations are required, and the program is free. Check the event calendar for daily demonstration times. You can also visit the kennels anytime they are open (generally 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.) even if there's no demonstration taking place. The restrooms at the kennels can accommodate visitors in wheelchairs.

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