4 Dog Sledding Experiences in Michigan + Where to see Sled Dog Races

Otter River Sled Dog Training Center and Wilderness Adventures is a place that you can visit to share our passion for everything about sled dogs

Basic Kennel Tours: Learn about the dogs and what it's like to be a musher. If there is snow, get ready for a ride at the end of the visit! 2 hour, $100.

Per Hour Tours: We will provide two sled dog teams for groups up to 10 people, and three to four sled dog teams for groups over 10 people that can be driven on the trails around our kennel. Instructions, help, and supervision will be provided by our guides and handlers. More than 10 guests, $350/hour, Less than 10 guests, $250/hour.

Custom Sled Dog Trip: Based on availability of guides and weather, talk to us about a customized adventure. We may be able to include camping, ice fishing and possibly black powder hunting for Whitetail with your dog sled adventure. Prices vary.

25% must be put down in order to reserve your spot

Owned by Kim Darst, who in 2009 became the first musher from New Jersey to embark on Alaska’s Iditarod, brought her team to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to be able to train her team. Now you and your family can learn about this unique and fascinating mode of travel and feel the incredible power of dog sledding for yourself.

Summer Tours: Meet and greet with the dogs. Learn how the sled is built and works, the dog truck which is used for transporting them, and learn about the history of the Iditarod. The temperature has to be below 50 degrees for a ride with the dogs at a cost of $75 per person which includes a tour of the kennel. Kennel tours alone are $25 per person.

Winter Tours: Start out with a kennel tour, talk about the history of dog-sledding, give instruction on how to handle the team and sled on a run. Then head out on an 8-10 mile run with the instructor/team. On our return snacks and water are given to the dogs and put them back in the yard in their respective dog houses. Then head over to the heated hangar for some much needed hot chocolate and cookies as we go over the pictures taken during the run. Total time spent is approximately 3-4 hours. $200/person

Winter tours are subject to change without notice (at our discretion) due to any one of the following: inclement weather, guest(s) wearing improper attire, guest(s) arriving late, or of other unforeseen reasons beyond our control. Non-refundable 50% deposit is required.

Owned by Ed and Tasha Stielstra, who have owned sled dogs for more than twenty years and love sharing this magical sport with others. They offer adventure tours for guests of any age and ability. If you are up for the trip, they are located in the Eastern Upper Peninsula, near McMillan, Michigan.

Drive Your Own Team Tour: After receiving detailed instruction from your guide, you will get to drive your own dog team for the entire ten mile trip. The guide will run a lead team and you will be following the guide.

Riding Tour: Sit back, relax, and let one of our mushers do all the driving while you ride in the sled. This option is great for small children and provides a great opportunity for taking photos and videos.

Driving & Riding Tour: There must be two people in your group for this option; one person drives the dog team while the other person rides with the guide. Guests can switch driving/riding positions at the halfway point.
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Half Day Trips: Begin at either 9 am OR 1 pm. The time frame of your tour includes sled driving instruction, the opportunity to help hook up and un-hook the dogs and a stop along the trail for photos.
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COST: Weekday trips: $290 per person to drive your own sled, $530 for a 1 driver/1 rider option, or $480 for two riders.
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Weekend/Holiday trips: $310 per person to drive your own sled, $570 for a 1 driver/1 rider option, $520 for two riders.

Sarah Dobbrastine, a local nurse who rescues Sled Dogs, brings her Second Chance Mushers to Schuss Mountain on the weekend for Dog Sled Rides when trail conditions permit.

The dog sledding trail is about a mile long and is located at Schuss Village (based out of the Nordic Center). The ride itself lasts about 15-20 minutes and are scheduled in 30-minute time slots. This allows additional time for a dog meet-and-greet, instructional time, and sanitization between rides.

Rides are $65 each and have a strict 200-pound rider weight limit (mix and match your sled occupancy up to the weight limit with 1 adult, 1 adult + 1 child, 2 children, ​1 child).