Visiting Happy Trails Kennels, Big Lake, Alaska

Arriving at the kennel, you will be greeted by between thirty and sixty sled dogs resting comfortably on their houses in the dog lot. 

Your tour begins with a welcome and a brief introduction to Happy Trails, with some guidelines for appropriate behavior with our dogs.  They are all friendly -- almost too.  They love being petted and snuggled but are high energy!!! 

In our Visitor Center your virtual trip along the Iditarod trail begins. Via a twenty-minute video, you travel from Anchorage to Nome.  Martin’s narration includes anecdotal stories from his thirty-five years of racing, as well as a great deal of Iditarod history.

The next stop on your tour is the log amphitheater.  The campfire and wall tent, a mockup of the checkpoint at Cripple, set the stage for a description of life on the trail. The presentation includes an in-depth look at how the real athletes -- the dogs – are cared for and outfitted for the elements, complete with a "runway" model wearing the latest trail fashion.  

A dog sled demonstration run is the noisy part of the tour.  A team of six lucky dogs is harnessed to the gang-line.  You will see and can photograph them as they pull an ATV on a short, highly visible loop.  During the harnessing, the uproar of barks of “take me” prohibits any discussion and the smiles on the dogs’ faces show visitors what our sled dogs love the most ~ running.

We do not give rides.  Martin’s saying is “You don’t give pony rides with race horses.”  Most guests understand readily after seeing the team take off like a rocket. 

Puppy time is the GRAND FINALE and most visitors’ favorite part of the tour!  You will get to hold puppies and be a part of our socialization program since a major goal at Happy Trails is to raise happy dogs!!!

We maintain a small Gift Shop with a large selection of unique HTK ( Happy Trails Kennel) items. 

Your tour can be as long or short as your interest.  Some folks have to pet every dog before leaving.  We feel fortunate to have and share our life with dogs.

Directions to Happy Trails 

From Anchorage:
North on Hwy 1 (Glenn Highway)
Hwy 1 turns into Hwy 3 (Parks Highway )
Go through Wasilla
Turn left on Big Lake road at mile 52
Go 3 ¼ miles on Big Lake road turn right on
Beaver Lake road,
Go 1 mile, turn left onto West Lakes Boulevard
(long name, short sign "W.Lks.Blvd")
Go 4 ½ miles to our driveway on right.  Look for kennel sign.

Book a Tour  

Minimum Booking of 2 adults for a summer tour!!!!

Book your Summer Kennel Tour here:

Tours begin at 2:00.

First choose a date between May 26, 2020 and September 5, 2020.  You can type in the date in the box, or click on the calendar to pick your date directly.  Days shaded in green are available.  If you have chosen a date, a listing of the tour will appear below the calendar.  Click on Book Now. Enter the number of adults and children in your group.  Click on Price to update then click on continue.  You will see a tour on the chosen day with the cost reflecting the number of guests you entered. 

Payment is requested when you arrive for your tour.  We appreciate your arriving 5 - 10 minutes prior to 2:00. 

5% discount to ALASKANS, Seniors & US Military with ID.