Seward, AK Ididaride Dog Mushing Tour Chosen as one of Alaska's top 20 attractions, a must do for all Alaska visitors.
Your Seward Dog Sled adventure begins with a two-mile dog sled ride. Feel the power, excitement, and energy of sled dogs as they are harnessed to the comfortable wheeled dog sled. Upon returning to the kennel you'll tour the Seavey's family kennel facilities, laugh as a guest is dressed up as an Iditarod musher, and cuddle adorable husky puppies. Your guides are all Iditarod racers, and offer a delightfully humorous, behind-the-scenes look at the Seavey family's training for the most demanding dog mushing race on earth, the Iditarod.
The Real Alaska Tour
Seward, Alaska
This Seward tour package features all the attractions that truly make Alaska the Greatland. First, your guide shows you the sights of Seward. Learn why Seward was known as "the Gateway to Alaska" and "Mile 0" of the Iditarod Trail. See first-hand the effects of the 1964 Earthquake. Then, head out to Exit Glacier and enjoy a short walk along the nature trail that takes you to the face of the glacial ice. Watch for mountain goats, moose and bears. A hearty lunch will be served before you travel to the Seavey homestead and experience IdidaRide's Sled Dog tour. At the end your driver will return you to your hotel, cruise ship or the Alaska Railroad depot. All local transportation and lunch are included in this package.
Talkeetna, Alaska (towl-KEET-nuh)
Visitor Information and Recommend Activities and Tours • Lodging • Recommend Reading
Current Population: 840 (2006) Borough Located In: Matanuska-Susitna Borough Taxes: 5% Bed
Location and Climate Located at the junction of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, it lies 115 miles north of Anchorage at mile 226.7 of the Alaska Railroad. The paved Talkeetna Spur Road runs 14 miles east off the George Parks Highway, at Milepost 98.7. The community lies at approximately 62.323890° North Latitude and -150.109440° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 24, T026N, R005W, Seward Meridian.) Talkeetna is located in the Talkeetna Recording District. The area encompasses 41.6 sq. miles of land and 1.4 sq. miles of water. January temperatures range from -33 to 33; July can range from 42 to 83. Precipitation is 28 inches, including 70 inches of snowfall.
History, Culture and Demographics
The Talkeetna and Chulitna Rivers join the Susitna River at Talkeetna, a Dena'ina (Tanaina) Indian word meaning "river of plenty." Talkeetna was settled as a mining town and Alaska Commercial Co. trading post in 1896. A gold rush to the Susitna River brought prospectors to the area, and by 1910, Talkeetna was a riverboat steamer station, supplying miners and trappers in the Cache Creek, Iron Creek, and Broad Creek districts. In 1915, Talkeetna was chosen as the headquarters for the Alaska Engineering Commission, who built the Alaska Railroad, and the community population peaked near 1,000. World War I and completion of the railroad in 1919 dramatically decreased the population. Talkeetna has since developed as an aviation and supply base for Mount McKinley expeditions. Several of its old log buildings are now historical landmarks, and Talkeetna was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in April 1993. State land disposals and homestead programs helped the community grow.
The population of the community consists of 9.1% Alaska Native or part Native. Talkeetna is popular for its recreational fishing, hunting, boating, flightseeing, skiing and dog mushing. Local businesses provides services to Mount McKinley climbers. Middle and high school students are bused to Susitna Valley in Y, at Milepost 98. During the 2000 U.S. Census, total housing units numbered 528, and vacant housing units numbered 170. Vacant housing units used only seasonally numbered 121. U.S. Census data for Year 2000 showed 463 residents as employed. The unemployment rate at that time was 14.42 percent, although 35.15 percent of all adults were not in the work force. The median household income was $38,289, per capita income was $23,695, and 10.81 percent of residents were living below the poverty level.
Economy and Transportation
As the take-off point for fishing and flightseeing trips, and a staging area for Mount McKinley climbing expeditions, Talkeetna provides air taxis, helicopters, outfitters, and related services. Numerous air taxis provide transport to Kahiltna Glacier Base Camp. All climbers must register for Mount McKinley and Mount Foraker (Talkeetna Ranger Station phone is 907-733-2231.) Ten residents hold commercial fishing permits.
Talkeetna is accessible by the Talkeetna Spur Road, off of the George Parks Highway. There are two State-owned runways. One is an asphalt paved 3,500' long by 75' wide runway; the other is a 480' long by 85' wide gravel strip. There are three additional airstrips in the vicinity, including one owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. A new Alaska Railroad depot was completed in August 1997.
Talkeetna Visitor Information and Recommend Activities and Tours
Talkeetna Lodging, Hotels and Bed & Breakfast
Recommend Reading
Backcountry Safaris P.O. Box 1397 • Seward, Alaska USA 99664 1-907-222-1632 or toll-free 1-877-812-2159
Backcountry Safaris is a member of the following trade and travel organizations:
Three national parks, Denali, Katmai and Kenai Fjords. Brown bears, whales, wildlife, calving tidewater glaciers, Mt. McKinley, fall colors, hot springs and much more. (more…)
Alaska- just the name conjures up visions of the wild, wonderful creatures of the North Country, brown bears… wolves… Dall sheep… caribou… moose… (more…)
Winter Adventure It's all about fun!
Drive your own snowmobile
Alaska Snowmobiling Snowmobile in the best possible place. The Chugach Mountains will surround you as you navigate your own snowmachine through trails, open fields of powder, beaver ponds, frozen waterfalls.
Alaska
Rafting
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Kongakut River – 10-day Arctic National Wildlife Refuge rafting safari.
Located at the junction of the Talkeetna and Susitna Rivers, it lies 115 miles north of Anchorage at mile 226.7 of the Alaska Railroad. The paved Talkeetna Spur Road runs 14 miles east off the George Parks Highway, at Milepost 98.7. The community lies at approximately 62.323890° North Latitude and -150.109440° (West) Longitude. (Sec. 24, T026N, R005W, Seward Meridian.) Talkeetna is located in the Talkeetna Recording District. The area encompasses 41.6 sq. miles of land and 1.4 sq. miles of water. January temperatures range from -33 to 33; July can range from 42 to 83. Precipitation is 28 inches, including 70 inches of snowfall.
