There is nothing like this anywhere. The love for these animals shows when you learn how they are raised and treated like family pets. The location is amazing and you can feel they are still in their natural habitat, although they let you pet them just enough.
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Reindeer Walks
Enjoy World-Famous Cookies
Meet Our Herd of Furry Friends
Get the Down-Low on All Things Reindeer
Walk Side-by-Side with Prancing Reindeer
We’ve got some winter changes to stay COVID safe. Read about our hybrid tour here(opens in a new tab).
Looking for a unique attraction in Fairbanks, Alaska? Join us on an immersive reindeer walk through a magical birch forest! Jane, a lifelong Alaskan, will lead you as you walk alongside our furry friends. Get ready to play reindeer games while observing the adaptations that make reindeer ideal for Arctic living. After the hour-long walk, we’ll learn a bit more about reindeer while enjoying homemade cookies and drinks.
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Now Meet Our Reindeer!
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The Basics
An Overview of the Tour
Price
Adults: $85 to $110 varies seasonally.
Children: $50 to $70
Prices may vary. Please see our online calendar for exact pricing information.
Meeting Point
Running Reindeer Ranch
1470 Ivans Alley
Fairbanks, AK 99709
Season
Open all year. Please see our online calendar for availability.
Duration
2 – 2.5 hours
Group Size
Min. 4, Max. 22
Included
- Natural History Walking tour with Reindeer
- Post-walk cookies & drinks
What to Bring
- In summer Light boots or walking shoes
- In winter Heavy boots, snow boots or Mukluks, warm mittens and hats
- Weather-appropriate clothing!
- Hand warmers
- Cameras
- Mosquito repellant (in the spring and summer)
To be prepared for the cold, we recommend renting gear from Alaska Element. They’ll deliver a package of boots, snow pants, and a jacket to your hotel or airport for only $30/day.
Discover Our Reindeer, from Head to Hoof
This one-of-a-kind tour will be the highlight of your trip to Fairbanks, Alaska. Join us (and our reindeer!) on a guided nature walk through the taiga. After a brief safety talk, we’ll teach you about the natural history of our boreal forest, as well as about the reindeer themselves. Watch the reindeer as they leap and frolic through the woods, roaming freely alongside us. Each walk is a unique experience that changes based on the season, trail conditions, and the reindeers’ moods.
After the walk, tour our organically grown perennial and vegetable gardens (in warmer seasons) and enjoy light refreshments while carrying on the conversation.
This nature walk features uneven terrain, so good walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing are required. Our reindeer are tame but not trained, so sometimes they decide to take a route not planned for. Bring your cameras, and expect the unexpected!
Frequently Asked Questions
We know travel plans change, and sometimes it is necessary to cancel your visit. Because of this, we will issue a full refund if you cancel your reservation at least 48 hours before your scheduled tour, no questions asked. Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds for cancellations made after this period. Please see our cancellation policy for more details.
While we’ve done walks in -50 degree Fahrenheit weather, we understand that it’s not for everyone. For this reason, if it’s colder than -20 Fahrenheit and you won’t be comfortable, please let us know as early as possible so that we can issue a full refund. Typically, we only cancel tours if there is inclement weather like icy rain. In rare cases such as these, you would receive a full refund.
While Alaska is known for its cold temperatures, the most important thing to keep in mind is staying very dry. We recommend wearing light boots or walking shoes until you go outside and then changing to warmer boots. Otherwise, your feet will get too hot, sweat, and then be wet and cold once we’re outdoors.
We also recommend getting hand warmers. Open them up about 20 minutes before you need them, shake them, and let them warm up to the air. When you are done, you can reuse them by closing them in an airless plastic bag. They are good for about 6 hours of use that way.
To be prepared for the cold, we recommend renting gear from Alaska Element. They’ll deliver a package of boots, snow pants, and a jacket to your hotel or airport for only $30/day.
In the summer, we recommend wearing socks, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants, as the mosquitos can be relentless.
If they let you, go ahead! However, please keep in mind that while our reindeer are tame, they are not trained.
The walking distance itself is not long, and the trail has numerous benches along the way. However, you will be outside for over an hour. For this reason, we highly recommend you come prepared for the cold or wet weather and dress accordingly.
We come recommended by Alaska on the Go: Exploring the 49th State with Children by Erin Kirkland. However, all kids are different. Much of the tour is language intensive, and kids aren’t always interested in that. And for some, the tour is too long. If you do decide to bring your kids, please keep in mind that they must be supervised at all times. In addition, children under 3 must be in a backpack carrier for their safety.
Toddlers
The tour really isn’t for toddlers. It is long, the weather may be bad, there may be too much talking and running reindeer. If you just want to see reindeer there are probably better places to go. But remember if you do decide to bring your toddlers, please keep in mind that they must be supervised at all times. In addition, children under 3 must stay in a backpack carrier for their safety.
Still Have Questions?
Please Check Out Our Full FAQ Page for More Answers
Other Important Details
- The ranch is also our home, so we, unfortunately, cannot accept walk-ins. Our tours are available by reservation only and can be booked online(opens in a new tab). For same-day booking, please check online(opens in a new tab) to see if spots are still available, then call us at 1-907-455-4998 and leave a message.
- For safety purposes, children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children under 3 must be in a backpack carrier.
- Before the tour we are busy haltering reindeer, making cookies, and performing magic, so we cannot always accommodate early visitors. Therefore we may ask you to wait in your car while we finish preparing for your tour.
- We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee! If you are not completely satisfied after the walk, we will graciously offer you a refund.
What Past Guests Have Said
Jane does such a great job of explaining all the facts about reindeer and you know that she loves her reindeer. We were there in May and got to feed the new babies. The weather was perfect and the walk was so refreshing. I would recommend this tour to anyone who visits Fairbanks. It is well worth the time and money. Read more
This was a really lovely tour. Jane really loves her job and her reindeer. She just lights up when they are around. The reindeer were wonderful and so sweet. Each had their own personalities. Read more