Alaska Wildlife and Landscapes You Can See on Your ATV Tour
Alaska is home to incredible wildlife that you can see during your ATV tour. It’s an added bonus when you get to share the trail with a Moose, spot Dall Sheep up in the cliffs, or even spot a bear! Summer is the best time to visit Alaska to see the majority of wildlife. Fall can also be a great time to see animals.
Visiting during certain months and going on an early tour can increase your chances of seeing wildlife. If you want to ensure you see wildlife, we recommend checking out the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Reindeer Farm, or Musk Ox Farm during your trip.
Why Choose to Go ATVing in Alaska
Alaska is best explored when you get off the main highway. There is so much to see in the backcountry of Alaska! ATVing is a great way to cover a lot of ground, have an adrenaline pumping adventure, and see a lot of Alaska.
We especially love the beauty that the Knik Valley offers. From diverse and epic landscapes, to all the popular wildlife this state has to offer: you are bound to leave with more stories to tell! We’re excited to share what makes our backyard so unique.
Wildlife You Can See on Your ATV Tour
Spotting animals in Alaska is a wild and exciting experience. As we share our backyard with you, remember that we are going into their home so it’s important that we respect the animals and keep our distance from them. We ask that when you spot an animal you point to them so the ATV behind you can also view that animal!
Here are some animals that we may come across on our trail ride:
Moose
Moose are a common sight in Alaska and tend to be on the wishlist of travelers. These impressive creatures are often found along the river, bedded down in the brush with their calves, or they may be walking along the trail. Moose are best seen early in the morning or later in the evening.
We are most likely to see moose with their calves in May through July so keep that in mind as you plan your trip! They are also seen more during mating season in September and October.
Dall Sheep
Dall Sheep are often viewed at Wolf Point along our tours. We stop and stare up at the cliff face hoping to see little white dots. This is where your binoculars or zoom lens come in handy! Take a closer look to see these impressive sheep climb up the cliffs with ease.
These creatures are well known for their curled horns that grow as they age. All Dall Sheep have horns, but only the males’ horns curl similar to that of Bighorn Sheep.
Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles are a common sight as they love to fish along the Knik River. You may see them perched in trees or flying overhead. It is always an impressive sight with that huge wingspan!
Wolves, Mountain Goats, and Bears Oh My!
While rare, it is possible that we will see black or brown bears off in the distance. Black bears are more common as they can be seen along the river or in the foothills feasting on blueberries.
Wolves live more private lives in this Valley, but some humans are lucky enough to catch a glimpse of this elusive creature. You may be more likely to spot a coyote or two!
Mountain Goats tend to live higher up in the mountains than the Dall Sheep, but they do occasionally venture down to the river.
Rabbits, Porcupines, and Shrews and more
Task your passengers with keeping their eyes peeled for a chance to spot some smaller wildlife along the trail. Rabbits may dart across as we ride, porcupines can be found in trees snacking on leaves, and shrews may run out from the brush.
You could also spot wolverines, ermine, pine martens, beavers, cranes, salmon and swans. Be sure to point them out to other guests without startling them!
What Landscapes You’ll See and Ride Through
Alaska’s rugged beauty is unmatched. The Knik Valley is one of the prettiest places you’ll get to ride an ATV. We’ll let the glacier views, impressive mountains, and lush forests speak for themselves! You’ll enjoy all the sights during your ride.
We wouldn’t have wildlife if it wasn’t for the rich landscapes our trails take us through. From the mountains to the river, every part of our journey is through an integral part of the ecosystem. That’s why we encourage you to Leave No Trace on your adventure and help keep Alaska wild!
The Chugach Mountains
The Knik Valley is framed by the impressive Chugach Mountains. They seemingly rise from the valley floor and tower at 4,000 to 13,000 feet. You’ll get to see many different peaks like Pioneer or Gannett on your ride. Look close into the mountains for a chance to spot Dall Sheep, Bears, or Mountain Goats!
Glaciers carved the granite peaks of these coastal range mountains that run from Seward past Valdez. That means you’ll see this range during many of your drives in Southcentral Alaska. Mount Marcus Baker marks the highest mountain in this range, and the Knik Glacier flows from its peak.
The beauty of the area and the dramatic mountain backdrop makes it so popular for off-roaders like us, fixed wing pilots, horseback riders, boaters, and anglers. Don’t be surprised to see others enjoying the great outdoors on our ride!
The Knik Glacier
The Knik Glacier views during and at the end of a full day ride are just the cherry on top to a memorable experience. You’ll have many chances to stare out at the vast Knik Glacier as we begin our ride.
Come along on our full day tour to reach the glacier in all of its glory. You’ll get to photograph the ice, see icebergs float by in the glacier lake, and have the chance to do a polar plunge when weather allows. The views from the lake are unmatched, so have your camera ready and take it all in.
The Knik Glacier is the closest glacier to Anchorage. This 27 mile long glacier carved the Knik Valley that you ride through and feeds the rivers and creeks that you cross. Glaciers are a vital part of the Alaskan ecosystem as they create habitats for wildlife and provide necessary nutrients for salmon.
The silt that you’ll kick up on your ride makes our adventure more fun, and holds nutrients that are beneficial to the landscape.
Forests and Sand Dunes
While the glacier is the main event, the forests you pass through on your way there deserve your attention. The forests are mainly made up of Spruce and Birch trees. In the fall their leaves turn to gold and the riding becomes even more beautiful!
We’ll also travel through sand bars and up sand dunes for a thrilling riding experience. Get excited to play in nature’s silt box.
The Knik River and Creeks
The mighty Knik River flows thanks to glacier melt, rainfall, and snowmelt from nearby creeks. You’ll cross some of these creeks on your adventure with us. The Knik River meets the Matanuska River and flows into the Knik Arm that you can see from Anchorage. Much like the glacier, these rivers are important in driving nutrients to sea life.
This river is also a beautiful site that adds to the adventure of our ride! We’ll wade through its braided streams on our way to the glacier.
You’ll cross Jim Creek, Friday Creek, and Metal Creek on our full day tour. Water crossings are what set our adventure apart and make it so memorable! The feeling of powering through rushing water on a trusty machine is unmatched.
We can’t wait to share the beauty of the Knik Valley and all you will see on your ATV tour. Fingers crossed we have some wildlife sightings, and get ready to witness incredible landscapes!
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