The Iditarod is such an important and fascinating part of today’s Alaskan culture. Something incredible about it is the yearlong dedication to the dogs and their care that keeps mushers busy for the entire offseason. At Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours you get to meet the mushers, meet the dogs, and learn just what it takes to get to participate in the Iditarod. This is a great opportunity to get up close with Alaska sled dog culture AND support a small business.
Located in Willow, very near Talkeetna, it’s easy to add this wonderful place to your travel plans on the way up to Denali National Park. And a bonus for anyone who’s extra interesting in sled dogs, the Iditarod or just having an immersive Alaskan experience, there is also a small bed and breakfast at Dream a Dream Sled Dogs!
Highlights of Visiting Vern Halter’s Dream a Dream Sled Dog Farm
When you visit Alaska it’s as much understanding the sense of place and the people as it is being wowed by the beauty. That’s a big reason visiting a mushing camp or sled dog farm is a great activity. Spending time with dog mushers, particularly ones who’ve run the Iditarod or are training for the epic race, is so important. Vern Halter, the owner of this particular sled dog farm is the coolest guy and has some incredible stories. He’s as much the main attraction as the sled dog experience is.
During my visit to Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours I got to meet and spend time with Sydnie Bahl, a dog musher in training for the Iditarod. Getting to hear from her about the physical challenges and how they prepare and care for the dogs was pure, passionate insight into a special side of Alaskan culture.
NOTE: You can help sponsor Sydnie in her pursuit of the Iditarod. Whether you can sponsor with a donation towards dog booties or sponsor an Iditarod checkpoint with dog food and straw, anything helps. Please take a moment to visit Sydnie’s musher site and support her epic goal!
Another fun element to visiting Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours is getting to see the dogs in their zone. During the off season, the dogs are still training, so to keep them in shape and following commands, the teams are hooked up to ATVs and go on courses through the woods. They can use engine assist to help the dogs learn, and they make sure the experience mimics what the dogs will do on the actual Iditarod route. It’s very special to see and learn about.
Gear for a Sled Dog Farm Tour
Bring your camera! Depending on when you’re visiting Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours you may be treated to meeting sled dog puppies. They are everything you’d expect and love to get all up in the camera, so be ready with one that you can maybe get a little wet or dirty.
Besides that, just be sure that you’re dressing warmly enough for you sled dog experience. Whether your walking around the property meeting the dogs or you’re being pulled by a team, you’ll want to be comfortable through the whole experience. I didn’t get wet and muddy, but the weather was great during my visit, so be ready for the good with the bad. You’ll have a great time either way.
Tips for Visiting Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours
I’m a cat person, and that didn’t matter one bit. Even if you’re not big into dogs, Vern Halter’s sled dog farm is a really special experience. Getting to meet the sled dogs, especially the puppies is really fun. They are so full of energy and love their people and visitors. Before interacting with the dogs, be sure to check with your host for guidelines around petting and get suggestions of which dogs to meet.
The other big tip for visiting Dream a Dream Sled Dog Farm is to ASK QUESTIONS! Being a working Iditarod mushing camp your hosts are some of the coolest, rarest folks you’ll meet in Alaska. They love their dogs and their sport so very much and are thrilled to share with their guests. If you’re able to sponsor the team for the upcoming year’s race, they are very appreciative, but your visit and tour fee is a big help also.
Note: another cool dogsled experience is the helicopter dogsledding on Godwin Glacier from Seward. It’s pricey but really cool and unique.
Directions and Parking at Vern Halter’s Sled Dog Tours
Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours is located in Willow, just short of Talkeetna, Alaska. It’s about an hour and a half from Anchorage, so plan your drive time appropriately if you’re coming from the city. There’s plenty of parking, but pay attention to the signs so you don’t block any gear or other vehicles.
As you head north on the Parks Highway, Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours is on the right hand side (left if you’re heading south). There is clear signage, but be sure to plug the address into your map just in case.
Sled Dog Farm Tour Address: 9373 N Rappe Dr, Willow AK 99688
Ethics of Dog Sledding and Sled Dog Operations
We are very careful about animal tourism of any sort and only share/write about operations and opportunities that we feel are ethical and sound. There’s often talk about dogsledding and concern that it’s not in the animals’ best interest or even, as PETA may say, is cruel. If you’ve ever met a sled dog or been to a sled dog farm or operation, then you know that’s not true. Sled dog mushers and their teams are some of the most caring, heartfelt people I’ve ever met. The way their dogs are treated is impeccable, often with the needs of the dogs being placed before that of the musher/sled dog owner.
If you see sled dogs before, during and after they’ve been training or racing, then you see the joy and purpose they find in dogsledding. They are so full of energy and excitement all through the process. Add to that the love and attention their mushers give them, and you’ll understand that dogsled culture is not cruel or unethical.
I absolutely witnessed this firsthand at Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours, both visibly with the dogs and in watching the staff interacting with them. It’s an amazing place.
Tour Operating Info
To complete your planning, here is all the information to plan and book your adventure.
- Operating Dates/Season: late May through late September, limited operation Sept 15 – Dec 1 (call to book)
- Tour office phone number: 907-606-0517
- Company website: Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours
- Tour check-in address: 9373 N Rappe Dr, Willow AK 99688
- Tour booking links: Summer Tours
More Things to Do around Willow / Talkeetna
Willow and Talkeetna are two great areas with lots of activities. Located in the MatSu Valley north of Anchorage on the Parks Highway, you’ll find a very walkable downtown area in Talkeetna with parks, shops, galleries, a brewery, bars and restaurants. Willow has a few food options and other tour services and campgrounds, but it’s close enough to Talkeetna to group them together. Here are a few additional things you can add to your time in the Willow/Talkeetna area to make the most of your visit:
- hiking – between state parks and forest lands, there are lots of trails
- fishing – from salmon to trout, there are plenty of options for rivers, lakes and guided trips (I like Montana Creek)
- check out a sled dog farm – Dream a Dream Sled Dogs is great
- jet boat tours – the Susitna River is a major waterway worth exploring
- Spencer Glacier – not far from Talkeetna, you can visit via the Alaska Railroad
- Kayaking tour or rentals – there are lots of great paddling spots around Talkeetna and Willow, particularly XY Lakes and Willow Creek
Dining in Talkeetna
Talkeetna is THE place to find restaurants in this part of the MatSu Valley. It’s pretty much the last big stop until Denali National Park, so options are limited as you head northward. I always like to set realistic expectations for anyone visiting a place for the first time, so if you’re visiting Talkeetna in peak summer season, know that you may have a wait and restaurants may have rotating/seasonal staff that may not be fully settled into their restaurant jobs. Be patient and just enjoy the experience of being in Alaska. Having said that, here are our top picks for dining in Talkeetna:
- Kahiltna Bistro – good local food with a nice patio set up, a bit away from the crowd of downtown
- Mountain High Pizza Pie – awesome pizza and more
- Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe – the best breakfast and baked goods in Talkeetna; long wait but worth it
- Talkeetna Roadhouse – I’d call it the nicest place to eat in Talkeetna (and it’s delicious)
- Talkeetna Spinach Bread – very popular airstream food truck with bread, snacks and more
- Denali Brew Pub – burgers, salads, beer and more
- Wild Alaska – interesting burritos and more, including salmon burritos
Where to Stay in Talkeetna or Willow
You don’t have to stay in downtown Talkeetna to have a great visit to the area. You’ll find plenty of options from vacation rentals to cabin resorts, lodges to roadside motels in the area. While the Talkeetna Wilderness Lodge is a favorite of my family, there are plenty of flexible options for any travel style here.
More ideas for your visit to the Talkeetna / Willow area:
I hope you’re excited to visit Dream a Dream Sled Dog Tours. Between the adorable, happy dogs and the Alaskan adventure culture, I know you’ll love it. If you have any questions about visiting Willow, Talkeetna, sled dog establishments or the MatSu Valley please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to help with travel planning for an Alaska Trip!
