Alaska Jeep / ATV Tours
Taking a jeep or all-terrain vehicle (ATV) through the backcountry offers some great perks. Not only can you cover ground quicker than you do hiking, but it’s a lot of fun—although you’ll likely get a bumpy, and at times raucous ride. Here’s the difference between the two:
- Jeep Tours: You’re traveling mostly on dirt roads. Most of the time, you’re the passenger, with a skilled guide at the wheel and calling out points of interest. In some tours, though, you take turns behind the wheel of your jeep, following the guide in another jeep, using a two-way radio. And in others you even go it alone, using a GPS system as your guide. Tours that let you drive require a valid drivers’ license and minimum age of 25.
- ATV Tours: With these trips, you’re definitely off-road: dirt, gravel bars, even going across streams, maybe even right up to a glacier. You’ll likely have the option of driving yourself, after a quick primer on how to operate the four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles. Kids under driving age will always be passengers, though. You’ll often get narration through a headset or a two-way radio. Tours include safety gear and some outerwear, such as helmets and raingear.
Cost: What is the Price Range?
About $125 - $300 for tours ranging from a few hours to 6 hours. Kids and passengers get discounted rates.
What You Need
Though plenty of tours provide rain gear, come dressed to get dirty (and maybe wet), including closed-toe shoes.
Where to Go
The most popular Jeep and ATV tours take place near the following areas:
Denali View All
Tour both inside and outside the park across rolling tundra with mountainous backdrops. Denali ATV Adventures and Black Diamond ATV offer ATV tours near Stampede Road, made famous in the film Into the Wild. Or, discover the rugged Denali Highway with Denali Highway Jeep Excursions.
This is your chance to experience the spectacular scenery along the Denali Highway, a road recently ranked #2 worldwide as a ‘Drive of a Lifetime’ by National Geographic Traveler Magazine. You’ll be given the opportunity to take the wheel, or if you prefer, just sit back and enjoy stunning views of the peaks and glaciers of the central Alaska Range. There is a guide in the Jeep up front, but you can stop wherever, whenever, and as often as you ...more
This tour is an adventuresome alternative to a bus ride into the park. Denali ATV Adventures offers several tours that let you explore the areas surrounding Denali National Park. On your journey, you’ll splash through rivers, drive over tree root-rutted trails, and four-wheel up to some of the area’s most spectacular vistas. Drive your own ATV, or be the passenger and enjoy the ride.
Drive your own 4‑wheel all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on this exciting off-road journey through the backcountry adjacent to Denali National Park. Black Diamond puts you in control: stop whenever you want, take pictures of the spectacular scenery, and laugh as you experience Alaska as it was meant to be: rough and wild. Explore old coal-mining trails and spill out onto the Dry Creek River Bed, then head high up on Black Diamond Peak to take in the ...more
The Black Diamond ATV Treasure Hunt backcountry adventure, just outside Denali, offers both a skilled guide and a splash of think-for-yourself adventure. Your ride can be fast and exciting or slow and leisurely — it’s up to you. Unlike some other ATV trips, you don’t have to do the driving; a pro is at the wheel of the Polaris ATV. You’ll explore old coal-mining trails and the Dry Creek River Bed, where Athabascan Indian artifacts have been found ...more
Haines View All
Climb a mountain without the effort and all the reward.
Drive yourself on this guided off-road ATV tour in Haines and experience pristine wilderness, unforgettable views, and a delicious meal! And at the top, 1,500 feet above sea level, you’ll take in the sweeping vista of shimmering Chilkoot Lake, set in the stunning Chilkoot Valley.
Anchorage View All
Explore former mining areas and serious wilderness outside the city. Tours available as a day trip from Anchorage depart nearby from nearby Palmer, Wasilla, Willow, Glacier View, or Girdwood -- all within a 45-minute to 2 hour drive from Anchorage.
Experience Alaska ATV and Side by Side tours at historic Hatcher Pass. These half-day and full-day tours take place high in the Talkeetna mountains where you will venture through creeks, twisting trails, and climb to amazing views. This tour is suitable for beginners and more advanced riders! Located just an hour from Anchorage.
Pilot a utility task vehicle (UTV) — an ATV that’s fully enclosed — with family and friends as you splash through rivers, take in stunning views, and even pan for gold on this unique, 3‑hour excursion with Hatcher Pass ATV Tours out of Willow.
There’s great Alaskan backcountry ATV riding just a few miles south of Anchorage. Engage in the sights, sounds, and smells of the northernmost temperate rainforest while experiencing the thrill of the throttle through the winding wooded trails of the Chugach Mountain Range. In the alpine meadows of this wilderness area, there are frequent sightings of both brown and black bears, mountain goats, and Dall sheep.
With Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours, you can experience glaciers inaccessible by road. Never fear if you’ve never driven an before; this company teaches you to maneuver your ATV through the Alaskan wilderness with your guide at the lead. Your destination is the magnificent Knik Glacier, where you’ll enjoy lunch and gorgeous scenery.
Glacier View View All
2.5 half hours north of Anchorage on the Glenn Highway, and right next to the mighty Matanuska Glacier. Join Glacier View ATV Tours to discover the area.
Fairbanks View All
ATV under the midnight sun on a tour from Fairbanks.
Pilot your own ATV through the rugged Alaskan wilderness outside Fairbanks. Choose from morning or evening tours driving an ATV — a 2021 Can-Am Trail Maverick side-by-side in Fairbanks with Midnight Sun ATV tours.
Homer View All
Drive your own amphibious Argo on a scenic trail with views of mountains, glaciers, and alpine meadows
There are regular ATVs, and then there are ATVs built for exploring Alaska: 8 x 8 Argos. These simple to drive, amphibious vehicles make exploring the Alaskan backcountry even more fun — and you can find the unique opportunity to drive one with Destination Alaska, out of Homer.
Ketchikan View All
Explore over 10 miles of old logging roads through the Tongass National Forest with Adventure Kart Expedition.
Drive your own jeep along private logging roads that wind up into the mountains, on your way to an alpine lake. Paddle across the shimmering lake to a shoreline camp for a delicious snack over an open fire. Enjoy some storytelling, then go on a short nature walk through a beautiful old-growth forest.