FAQs

Tolovana is a privately owned establishment. We have offered the safety of its warmth and shelter to those in need who happen out that way and get stuck in bad weather. For other uses please contact the owners for permission to use the property. We do occasionally rent the place to individuals and business owners. Paws for Adventure is the only Dog Sled tour company that has the right to offer tours to this property.

Tolovana is off-grid and has no indoor plumbing. There is an outhouse for toilet facilities and a log sauna for bathing. Drinking water is hauled in by boat or sled and we boil snow melt for cooking as well. Cooking water and water for dogs as well as bathing is drawn from a well in summer and from a hole in the river ice in the winter. We run a generator for lights and charging batteries (for a short time each day). Internet service is basically non-existent at this point – we may look into this for future. Cell phone service may or not be available depending on whether you hold your mouth right at the front window (don’t count on cell service). Anyone travelling with Paws will have access to emergency satellite communications.

Tolovana is a large log structure (approx. 20’X 80’) built in 4 sections. The main room has a kitchen and sitting area. The west wing houses the owner’s private quarters. The middle room is a guest bedroom with 2 queen sized beds and 3 bunks. The east wing is designed with a small ‘musher’s quarters’ in mind – has a bed and cooking area. Each section has a stove for heat. There is also a small cabin by the sled dog yard that can accommodate 2 people. There is room to spread out for sure and lots of heat to keep warm.

Tolovana Roadhouse is located at the confluence of the Tanana and Tolovana Rivers (approx. 60 miles downstream of Nenana, AK). The Roadhouse sits on the East/North bank of the Tanana just before the confluence. It is also 32 miles upstream by trail from Manley Hot Springs. Travel on the river ice in winter is not recommended. The roadhouse can be accessed by the river in summer by boat and overland by the Old Mail Trail in winter by dogsled or snowmachine (and I have even seen a guy on a bike). It may also be accessed by ski or floatplane.

We don’t have a specific cut-off temperature. We recommend that you take a short tour if the temperature is below -20F, especially if you have a problem with tolerance to cold. The dogs enjoy running and prefer to do so rather than be in the kennel. As long as conditions are safe for humans and dogs, we will offer the tour. Extreme cold conditions with temps. below -40F or windy, blowing horizontal snow will likely shut us down – it doesn’t happen often, but is possible. If we can’t do the tour, any deposit will be refunded.

Most can enjoy some type of dogmushing adventure. I wouldn’t recommend it to those under 2 years old or to anyone with a painful spinal condition. There are lots of ways to enjoy the sport – as a ride in the sled to experience the power these lovable canine athletes possess as well as enjoy the beautiful scenery.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, learn to drive your own small team in mushing school. This experience will bring you up close and personal with the sled dogs and maybe the snow, so be ready to fall off! This doesn’t mean you will, but understand that dog mushing is a skill that requires good balance and upper body strength as well as a good sense of humor! I don’t know a musher who hasn’t fallen off a sled.

Our overnight and multi-day excursions take you into the heart of Alaska driving your own team and require good physical fitness and stamina. Some winter camping experience and tolerance for cold weather makes your experience that much more enjoyable.

Originally I bred sled dogs and raised pups at my kennel. My first 3 pups were from a small village in the Interior. They were 70-80 pound freight dogs – there are a few of this lineage still in the kennel. Early on, I bought a leader, Sister, who taught me how to mush. She knew commands, “Gee”, “Haw”, “On-by”…and took the commands when she felt like it. She was a tough-minded village dog and knew how to run long distances. Thru the years Sister had a couple of litters; some of her grandchildren you will meet in our kennel. I’ve met some truly great sled dogs thru the years, each with their own special personality and talent and all with a lot of heart. Most of our non-breeding dogs are spayed or neutered. We still raise litters of pups every couple of years.

As time went by I befriended many mushers, each with their own particular interests in the mushing world. Some became interested in racing and now race Iditarod and Yukon Quest sled dog races. I started picking up race kennel dogs. Some of these dogs were a bit too young for a 1000 mile race and came to us for more experience before returning to their kennel and the race team. Some were nursing an injury and not able to go this year so, our shorter miles were a good way to keep them in shape and able to try again next year. And some just weren’t into racing long distance but like the more mellow agenda at our kennel. At any rate, we are happy for our great mix of wonderful hard-working canine athletes. We’re happy to send some of the youngsters back to their kennels ready for the big race, and we’re excited to share some of the happiest and well-trained sled dogs with our guests.