PAGOSA SPRINGS DOGSLED FIELD GUIDE
Summer Dogsledding: Huskies Pull a Cart Through Blanco Basin Near Pagosa Springs
A 1.5-hour summer dogsled cart ride near Pagosa Springs where you help harness Alaskan Huskies and ride roughly three miles through Blanco Basin or Navajo State Park.
Summer Dogsledding: Huskies Pull a Cart Through Blanco Basin Near Pagosa Springs.
You don't have to wait for snow to feel the pull of a sled team. Mountain Paws runs summer dogsled cart rides near Pagosa Springs that put you in the loop: learn the gear, harness the dogs, and ride in a two‑adult, two‑small‑child–friendly cart as an Alaskan Husky team charges along trails in the Blanco Basin or Navajo State Park.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Alaskan Huskies that want to pull
The experience centers on eager Alaskan Huskies that naturally want to run and pull — the operator harnesses that energy into summer cart runs so you can feel the team in motion.
Learn the gear and harness the team
Participants are involved in all aspects of the excursion: learning about the equipment, harnessing dogs, and hooking up the team before the cart run.
Short, scenic summer runs
Summer distances are intentionally limited; the outing covers approximately three miles through either the Blanco Basin or trails at Navajo State Park near Pagosa Springs.
What the day feels like
What the outing feels like
Expect a compact, hands‑on dogsled experience: arrive at the meeting point near Pagosa Springs, help prepare and harness the team, then climb into a cart and feel the Huskies pull you along a roughly three‑mile course. The pace is energetic but distances are limited in summer, producing a concentrated burst of sled‑team excitement in a single 1.5‑hour (typical) outing.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this outing suits — and who should plan differently.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Typical outing lasts about 1.5 hours (ranges between 1–2 hours depending on weather and group size). Morning tours run from Reed Hare Ranch at 8:30 a.m. (June–August); evening tours operate from Navajo State Park between roughly 4–6 p.m. depending on sunset (April–November).
Long pants and closed‑toe shoes are recommended. Bring additional layers for cool mornings or evenings; rain gear and an umbrella are advised during the rainy season.
Maximum 500 lbs per cart ride; the cart cannot support any single person over 250 lbs. There must be at least one adult in the cart; if the group is too large, consider two separate rides.
Mountain Paws follows Colorado and CDC health and sanitation guidelines for outfitters; expect natural distancing outdoors.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Dog Cart Tour?
Tours are about 1.5 hours long, with total time varying between one and two hours depending on weather and the number of people in the group.
Where and when do the tours depart?
Morning tours (June–August) meet at Reed Hare Ranch at 8:30 a.m. One evening tour runs daily from Navajo State Park between about 4–6 p.m., timed to sunset (April–November). The general meeting location is Pagosa Springs, CO.
Can kids ride in the cart?
Yes. Two adults and two small children can sit comfortably in the cart; separate pricing applies for children (under 80 lbs) and toddlers (under 2 years). There must be at least one adult in the cart.
Are there weight or capacity limits?
Yes. The cart has a 500‑lb maximum per ride and cannot support any single person over 250 lbs. If your group exceeds the cart limits, you can take two separate rides.
Will I get to help harness the dogs?
Yes. Participants are involved in learning about the equipment and in harnessing and hooking up the dogs as part of the excursion.
How long is the trail run?
Summer runs are limited in distance and cover approximately three miles.
What should I wear?
Long pants and closed‑toe shoes are highly recommended; bring extra layers for cool mornings or evenings and rain gear or an umbrella during the rainy season.