Stylized relief map of Alaska Backcountry Access country — Anchorage to Seward in summer, the Eureka glaciers in winter. Illustrative, not for navigation; every location is listed below the map.

Illustrative map — not for navigation

The places, in detail

Girdwood

Summer map

The valley where most trips begin.

Meeting point & access: Rental pickups at the Girdwood business location (operator pin on file); evening pickup window 6–9 PM.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Crow Creek Gold Mine Tour

summer
Duration
About 3 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$69 per person

Gold-rush history and creek-side panning in the Girdwood valley — an easy add-on to any Girdwood day.

Winner Creek Hike

summer
Duration
About 4 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$109 per person

A guided walk through the mossy rainforest behind Girdwood to the rush of Winner Creek.

Glacier Creek Whitewater Rafting

summer
Duration
About 3 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$125 per person

Glacier-fed whitewater right out of the Girdwood valley.

ATV & Side-by-Side Rentals (24-hour pickup)

summer
Duration
24-hour blocks, 1–5 days bookable online; pickup 6–9 PM in Girdwood or Portage
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
From $240 per day (CFMOTO CFORCE 500); Outlander MAX from $265, Ranger SP 570 from $295

Pick up a machine and ride on your own schedule. Three models; for other machines, durations of 6+ days, or delivery, text us and we’ll build it by hand.

  • Helmet included with every rental

Winter

Goldmine Snowshoe Tour

winter
Duration
About 3 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$119 per person

Snowshoe through quiet winter forest to gold-rush relics above Girdwood.

Bird Creek

Summer map

Forest trails close to Anchorage.

Meeting point & access: [VERIFY WITH ANDY]

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Bird Creek — Delivered ATV Trailhead Package

summer
Duration
Trailhead day package (11 AM – 5 PM window)
Difficulty
Good introductory forest trail
Price
From $380

We deliver the machine to the Bird Creek trailhead — you just ride. Forest trails close to Anchorage.

  • Delivery to the trailhead, park fees, end-of-day pickup, cleaning, and a full tank of fuel
  • Helmet included

Winter

6-Hour DIY Snowmobile Rental — Bird Creek

winter
Duration
6-hour rental
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$385

Self-guided winter riding staged from Bird Creek.

Ingram Creek

Summer map

Head of the Arm — tideland riding basecamp.

Meeting point & access: Skookum Adventure Basecamp — Mile 75 Seward Highway.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

AKMUDITUP — Turnagain Arm Mud Tour

summer
Duration
3 hours
Difficulty
Advanced
Price
$345 per person

The flagship guided ride across the muddy tidelands and grassy meadows of Turnagain Arm — wet sand, stream crossings, and wildlife watching with a local rider leading the way.

  • Guided the whole way by a local rider
  • Rain gear and boots provided
  • Wildlife and waterfall viewing
  • Tide-timed route to Seattle Creek
  • Start times follow the tide (morning ~11 AM, afternoon ~3 PM) — confirmed at booking

Winter

2-Hour DIY Snowmobile Rental — Ingram Creek

winter
Duration
2-hour rental
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$285

Short self-guided ride toward the Spencer / Skookum glacier country from the head of the Arm.

6-Hour DIY Snowmobile Rental — Ingram Creek

winter
Duration
6-hour rental
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$365

A full self-guided day staged from Ingram Creek.

Portage Valley

Summer map

Glacier-carved valley at the head of the Arm.

Meeting point & access: Summer jetboating meets at the Placer Overflow Parking Lot (operator pin on file). Winter basecamp is near the 'Welcome to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula' sign — no restrooms at basecamp, please use facilities in town.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Blue Ice Jetboating — Spencer Glacier

summer
Duration
About 2 hours 15 minutes
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$225 per person

Jetboat up the braided channels to the ice at Spencer Glacier.

  • Under-13 riders wear a USCG-approved life jacket underway — ABA policy

Blue Ice Jetboating — Twentymile Glacier Lake

summer
Duration
About 2.5 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$225 per person

A glacier lover's dream — a thrilling jetboat run on the Twentymile toward the glacier lake.

  • Under-13 riders wear a USCG-approved life jacket underway — ABA policy
  • Boat capacity is weight-based (1,000 lb party cutoff) — party weight confirmed at booking

Blue Ice Kayaking Adventure — Spencer Glacier

summer
Duration
About 3.5 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$345 per person

Paddle among the blue ice on Spencer Glacier Lake.

  • Under-13 riders wear a USCG-approved life jacket underway — ABA policy

Portage Pass Hike

summer
Duration
About 5 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$199 per person

A guided hike over the pass to the glacier view.

Winter

Spencer Glacier Snowmobile Tour

winter
Duration
About 4 hours (30-mile round trip)
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$325 per person

Ride mountain-lined snowfields to Spencer Glacier Lake — icebergs, seracs, and on lucky days the icy cave-like features up close.

  • Snowmachine, fuel, gear, snack, guide, and fees
  • Bring warm layers, gloves and goggles to supplement provided gear; avoid glasses — opt for contacts or goggles that fit over them

Portage Glacier Ski Tour

winter
Duration
About 4 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$159 per person

A guided winter ski toward the ice of Portage Glacier.

Portage / Spencer Glacier Snowmobile Rental

winter
Duration
About 6.5 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$375

Self-guided glacier-country riding staged from Portage.

Turnagain Pass

Summer map

High country above the Arm — winter rides & rentals.

Meeting point & access: Tours meet between the outhouses in the Turnagain Pass parking lot (11 AM). Heads up — no cell service at the meeting area.

Show on the summer map ↑

Winter

Turnagain Pass Snowmobile Tour

winter
Duration
About 4 hours (~20-mile guided ride)
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$295 per person

Moraine-valley play fields and the Iditarod National Historic Trail along Granite Creek.

  • Safety instruction, fuel and helmets included — online Xola reservation required
  • No cell service at the Turnagain Pass meeting area

2-Hour DIY Snowmobile Rental — Turnagain Pass

winter
Duration
2-hour rental (1 PM start)
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$315

A short self-guided session in the Pass.

6-Hour DIY Snowmobile Rental — Turnagain Pass

winter
Duration
6-hour rental (10:30 AM start)
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$395

A full self-guided day in the moraine valleys above the Arm.

Falls Creek

Summer map

Steeper trail country — advanced terrain.

Meeting point & access: Trailhead meetup near Moose Pass (operator pin on file); exact pin provided with the booking.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

ATV Falls Creek Tour

summer
Duration
About 6 hours
Difficulty
Advanced — steeper mountain trail
Price
$325 per person

A guided climb into steeper trail country — bigger views, more technical riding.

Falls Creek — Delivered ATV Trailhead Package

summer
Duration
Trailhead day package (11 AM – 5 PM window)
Difficulty
Advanced — steeper mountain trail
Price
From $495

Machine delivered to the Falls Creek trailhead for experienced riders who want elevation.

  • Delivery to the trailhead, park fees, end-of-day pickup, cleaning, and a full tank of fuel
  • Helmet included

Crown Point

Summer map

Rocky switchbacks and elevation gain.

Meeting point & access: Trailhead meetup near Moose Pass (operator pin on file); exact pin provided with the booking.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Crown Point — Delivered ATV Trailhead Package

summer
Duration
Trailhead day package (11 AM – 5 PM window)
Difficulty
Rocky switchbacks and elevation gain — experienced riders
Price
From $495

Delivered-machine riding on the switchbacks above Crown Point — for riders who want to climb.

  • Delivery to the trailhead, park fees, end-of-day pickup, cleaning, and a full tank of fuel
  • Helmet included

Old Sterling Highway

Summer map

Scenic Kenai route — the family-friendly one.

Meeting point & access: Meetup is a small dirt road off the Sterling Highway (operator pin on file); the exact pin comes with the booking.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Old Sterling Highway — Delivered ATV Trailhead Package

summer
Duration
Trailhead day package (11 AM – 5 PM window)
Difficulty
Scenic Kenai route — family-friendly ride
Price
From $480

The easy-going one — a scenic Kenai route with the machine waiting at the trailhead.

  • Delivery to the trailhead, park fees, end-of-day pickup, cleaning, and a full tank of fuel
  • Helmet included

Bear Lake / Iditarod Trail

Summer map

Longer multi-use trail on the historic Iditarod route.

Meeting point & access: [VERIFY WITH ANDY]

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Bear Lake / Iditarod Trail — Delivered ATV Trailhead Package

summer
Duration
Trailhead day package (11 AM – 5 PM window)
Difficulty
Longer multi-use trail — creek crossings and mountain views
Price
From $500

A longer multi-use trail day on the historic Iditarod route out of Bear Lake.

  • Delivery to the trailhead, park fees, end-of-day pickup, cleaning, and a full tank of fuel
  • Helmet included

Seward — Godwin Glacier

Summer map

Heli-access glacier snowfields, summer only.

Meeting point & access: Seward Helicopters office at the Seward Airport — check in for the snow-safety briefing, gear selection and helicopter orientation.

Show on the summer map ↑

Summer

Summer Snowmobile Tour — Godwin Glacier (heli access)

summer
Duration
About 4 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$895 per person

Fly past the blue ice face above Resurrection Bay to a glacier snowfield basecamp — summer snowmobiling that exists almost nowhere else.

  • Helicopter transport, snowmachine, gear, guide, and safety briefing
  • Check in at Seward Helicopters for the snow-safety briefing before flying

Eureka Roadhouse

Winter map · Glenn Hwy

Winter's home base — glacier-ride country on the Glenn Highway.

Rides meet at Eureka Lodge, MP 128 Glenn Highway — about a half-day round trip from Anchorage.

Meeting point & access: Eureka Lodge, MP 128 Glenn Highway — real bathrooms and a restaurant at the Lodge.

Show on the winter map ↑

Winter

Nelchina Glacier Snowmobile Ride

winter
Duration
About 6 hours (~50 miles of backcountry riding)
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$445 per person

The viral one — Nelchina's intermittent ice cave ('worm hole') made this ride famous, and guiding here is fairly unique to this operation.

Route at a glanceEureka Roadhouse → Nelchina Overland Trail · 11 mi → River Trail Junction · 10.5 mi → Nelchina Glacier Face · 1.6 mi

Operator's route map — Nelchina Glacier Ride. Illustrative, not for navigation.Operator's route map — illustrative, not for navigation ↗
  • Snowmachine, fuel, gear, and guide
  • Active participation model — riders share in decisions and safety

Snowmobile Ride — Monument Mountain (4 Corners)

winter
Duration
About 4 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$335 per person

A high-alpine traverse via Monument Trail and Marie's Trail — the big-view loop out of Eureka.

Route at a glanceEureka Roadhouse → Monument Trail · 12.7 mi → 4 Corners → Marie's Trail · 6.7 mi

Operator's route map — Monument Mountain 4 Corners. Illustrative, not for navigation.Operator's route map — illustrative, not for navigation ↗

Eureka Snowmobile Ride

winter
Duration
About 2 hours
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$275 per person

The approachable Eureka ride — starts from the Lodge, real bathrooms and a restaurant at the door.

Tazlina — MP 155.6

Winter map · Glenn Hwy

The most remote ride — a highway pullout and then the wild.

Meeting point & access: Meets at a highway pullout near Mendeltna, MP 155.6 from Anchorage — the most remote start.

Show on the winter map ↑

Winter

Tazlina Glacier Snowmobile Ride

winter
Duration
About 6 hours (~60 miles round trip)
Difficulty
[VERIFY WITH ANDY]
Price
$475 per person

Epic by Alaska standards: spruce forest and swamp trails to frozen Tazlina Lake, and in ideal conditions across the lake to the glacier face and its iceberg lagoon.

Route at a glanceMeetup MP 155.6, Glenn Highway → Highway to Lake · 7.5 mi → Tazlina Glacier Lake · 3.5 mi → Tazlina Glacier Face · 20 mi

Operator's route map — Tazlina Glacier Ride. Illustrative, not for navigation.Operator's route map — illustrative, not for navigation ↗
  • Snowmachine, fuel, gear, and guide
  • Most remote ride — supported/semi-guided, riders share in decisions and personal caution

The machines

What you actually ride. Rentals book online for 1–5 days; longer or custom setups go by text. Specs are the operator's own — shown pending final sign-off.

CFMOTO CFORCE 500 — Alaska Backcountry Access rental machineSummer fleet

CFMOTO CFORCE 500

1 rider

The nimble solo machine — flexible on tight trails.

Engine
500cc
Power
34 HP
Drive
4×4 with diff lock
Steering
Electronic power steering
Transmission
CVT
Winch
2,500 lb
Ground clearance
10.3 in

From $240 for 1 day (per-day rate drops on multi-day rentals)

Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT — Alaska Backcountry Access rental machineSummer fleet

Can-Am Outlander MAX 570 XT

2 riders, two-up

Built for a passenger and comfortable on longer rides.

Type
Double-rider ATV
Seating
2, two-up
Suspension
Long-travel

From $265 for 1 day (per-day rate drops on multi-day rentals)

Winter fleet

Ski-Doo Expedition Sport 600 ACE

1–2 riders

Trail-friendly touring sled for the winter rentals.

Type
Touring snowmobile
Rentals
24-hour, 2–4 day options

From $335 for 24 hours (multi-day available)

Winter fleet

Ski-Doo Summit Neo+ (55 / 85 HP)

1 rider

A lighter mountain sled — two power options.

Type
Mountain snowmobile
Power
55 HP or 85 HP options
Rentals
24-hour, 3-day options

From $275 for 24 hours (multi-day available)