Tolovana Roadhouse was purchased by Leslie Goodwin-Williams and Dave Williams in 2010. They now operate the roadhouse for visitors and dog mushing tours in conjunction with their tour business Paws for Adventure, offering one of the most authentic dog sled experiences in Alaska.
The remote lodge is 52-trail miles downriver of Nenana, AK – think remote, quiet, wild. Dave and Leslie were “sold” on the place when they heard wolves howling across the river. This Alaskan roadhouse is situated on a peninsula that historically saw many adventurous Tanana River travelers. The existing log structure was built by Henry and Ida Martin in 1925 (refurbished in the 1980’s by Doug Bowers) and was most famous for being the first stop in the original Serum Run of 1925 (a dogsled run to deliver diphtheria antitoxin to Nome during the epidemic).
The Roadhouse started as a private getaway for Leslie and Dave and a place to stop for a rest or warm fire for weary river travelers. In March 2015 and 2017, Tolovana Roadhouse served as a hospitality stop for mushers competing in the Iditarod as low snow conditions in its traditional route (starting in Anchorage) prompted race officials to move the start to Fairbanks.
Paws for Adventure tours make the Tolovana Roadhouse even more accessible by offering Overnight fly-out tours–adding the adventure of seeing the Alaska wilderness from the sky as well as the ground. Packing in as many adventures as we can–we’re offering this tour as a fly-in/ fly-out tour. Opportunities will include dogsledding school and overnight camping, ice fishing as well as lots of aurora viewing and Alaskan style meals in the rustic off-the-grid lodge. This tour is a culmination of our many years of experience in backcountry travel with people and sled dogs that the Paws team can’t wait to share! Find out more about tour opportunities HERE.