Denali Horseback Tours
Authentic, personal horseback tours focused on sustainability, education, and equine well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I book in advance or can I just show up?
A: DHT is a very small business, so all rides need to be booked ahead of time. Since tours run out of a private residence, please no walk-ins. To hold your spot, reservations have to be paid in advance and include a non-refundable deposit (you can find the details on the Reservations page). I’ve been the only horseback tour operator in Denali for many years, and with a maximum of four riders per tour, I recommend booking early. If you have any questions, feel free to call, text, or email. I have limited internet access and spend most of my days outside, so it may take some time for me to respond. Text is the quickest way to reach me.
Q: Do you have weight limit?
A: Yes, the weight limit is 250 lb. Approximate height and weight information at the time of reservation (within about 10 lb) is important and can be essential for us to safely fulfill your booking. I have horses and saddles of different sizes, and I work to ensure that each horse carries only the amount of weight they can safely and comfortably handle. If there is a discrepancy between the information provided on your reservation and what appears at check-in, we reserve the right to verify your weight. Services may be refused without a refund if you fall outside the weight limit. Please don’t put us in a position where we need to bring out the scale. It is uncomfortable for everyone.
Q: Do I have to know how to ride a horse?
A: No prior horseback riding experience is required. However, horseback riding is a physical activity, so guests should be reasonably fit. You will need to be able to mount the horse on your own using a mounting block, ride balanced, and maintain control of your horse. Being able to mount independently is a safety precaution in case a rider needs to dismount while on the trail. Our one-hour tour is recommended for novice riders, younger children, and riders with health considerations. Please consult your doctor before booking if needed.
Q: Do we get to trot and canter?
A: No, all rides are walking only. Most of the trails are either too boggy due to tundra (and permafrost) or too rocky for faster gaits.
Q: Where are you located and do you provide transportation?
A: DHT is located about 12 miles north of the Denali Park entrance in Healy. Once a reservation is secured, you'll receive an email confirmation, including detailed driving directions. We don't provide transportation. Here are some transportation options:
- Denali Transit: (907) 522-5820, info@denalitransportationservice.com or visit www.denalitransitak.com
- Keys to Denali: (800) 683-1239, (907) 683-KEYS,(907) 378-4584, www.denalidomehome.com/Car-Rental-Denali.html
- Short term rental services of Denali Jeep Excursions (907) 683-5337 or visit https://www.denalijeep.com
- Turo.com (car rental version of Lyft/Uber)
We strongly recommend making your reservation ASAP since they might not be able to accommodate you on short notice!
Q: What time should I show up for the ride?
A: Please plan to arrive at your scheduled start time—for example, if your ride begins at noon, be there at noon. There’s no need to arrive early, as we won’t be ready until your start time. Early arrivals are welcome up to 10 minutes before the tour, but our gate may remain closed until then. Tours are operated from a private residence, so we kindly ask that you respect our home when arriving.
Q: What if we're late for the ride?
A: If other riders are scheduled, we won’t be able to wait, and you’ll be considered a no-show. If it’s just your party, let us know by your start time and we may be able to wait a few minutes and adjust the tour length. Full price still applies. We’re often busy getting the horses ready, so we may not be able to answer the phone. Texting usually works best for a quick response.
Q: Do tours get cancelled due to rain, inclement weather, or other unforeseen circumstances?
A: We plan to ride in rain or snow, so there’s no refund if you need to cancel for those reasons. Tours may only be canceled if conditions are unsafe, including temperatures at or below –10°F (–23°C). If DHT cancels a tour, you’ll receive a full refund. We don’t offer free cancellation for unforeseen circumstances like sickness, injury, travel delays, storms, wildfires, floods, or pandemics. We recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your trip.
Q: What kind of clothes do I need to wear?
A: The Alaskan taiga and tundra can be brushy, so pants must be long, and we recommend wearing durable ones. Dress in layers and bring an extra layer plus rain gear—we can attach these to your saddle. Make sure to wear boots or closed-toed shoes, preferably with a small heel. Sandals, flip-flops, clogs, and other open-toed shoes aren’t allowed.
Q: Can I ride the same horse as my child? Do I have to ride with my child?
A: Sorry, no riding double. Minimum age of a rider for the 1 hour tour is 9 years old, for the 2 hour tour it's 10, and for the half-day trip it's 12 years old. All children are required to wear helmets (provided by DHT).
Q: How long is the half-day trip?
A: The half-day trip is about 4 hours and is not suitable for inexperienced riders. It’s best for riders who ride regularly, as the length of time in the saddle can be uncomfortable for both you and the horse. We take a longer break about halfway at an old, abandoned trapping cabin, where you can stretch your legs. Bottled water and a small snack are provided.
Q: Do you take reservations for just one person?
A: Sometimes a rider wants to ride, but can't find any friends to join them. If another group can't be found and the rider would still like to go out alone, we charge an extra 25% solo trail ride fee. This fee does not apply if we can add the solo rider to another group.
Q: Do you sell gift vouchers?
A: Yes, we do. Here is how it works:
- the donor visits https://bookeo.com/denalihorsebacktours/buyvoucher or click
- the donor selects what to purchase, but does not book a date/time
- the donor pays, and receives a voucher that he can print out and include in a gift card
- the person receiving the gift visits the web address printed on the voucher, and books a date/time
- the price of the gift is never shown to the person receiving the gift
If a booking can have different prices based on the date/time (ex. shoulder season), the price of the voucher will be the highest possible price for that booking.
Additional information
- It is recommended that all riders wear a helmet. Adults may opt to sign out of wearing one. Riders 17 years old or younger are required to wear a helmet (provided by DHT and sanitized after each use).
- Backpacks and bags that strap over the body are not allowed on our rides for entrapment safety reasons. We provide horn bags for your smaller items (water bottle, camera, etc.) and bigger saddle bags are also available if needed.
- All riders must follow the trail guide's instruction. We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone who we feel would put other riders, themselves or our horses in danger. Any purposeful attempt to run or take a different turn will result in disqualification of your ride and you will be instructed to dismount. Most of our trails are not accessible by a vehicle so you'd have to walk back.
- We don't have running water at the barn so please be aware that there is no bathroom available, only a port-a-potty/outhouse.
- We accept debit/credit cards via our online booking system only. We are not able to process card payments at the homestead.
- If there is anything you are unhappy about please let us know as soon as possible! We welcome constructive criticism, so tell us if there is anything we could improve about our tours.
- Please remember that gratuities are not included in your tour price, so if you enjoy the ride don't forget to kiss your horse and tip your guide!
