ATV Riding in Denali: Midnight Sun Forest Trails

Operate a four-wheel-drive ATV through maintained dirt and rocky creek beds under the midnight sun

Midnight Sun ATV riding in Denali National Park is a guided 2.5-hour adventure on forest trails surrounding the park, departing at 9pm during the weeks around summer solstice when daylight never fully fades. You ride a brand-new ATV (single-rider or side-by-side options available) after a safety course and gear fitting. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and no prior riding experience is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided Midnight Sun ATV Tour

• Pickup at hotel or meet at site
• Get outfitted with helmet, goggles, gloves
• Complete ATV safety course
• Ride ATV on varied terrain trails
• Visit scenic viewpoints and take photos
• Learn about history and wildlife
• Return to hotel or meeting point

The experience

The tour starts with pickup at your hotel or the Denali ATV Tour Site. Once you arrive, you get fitted with a helmet, goggles and gloves, then walk through a safety course before heading out. The ATVs are all four-wheel-drive with automatic transmission, so you focus on steering and throttle, not gear shifts. Single-rider machines, two-seater side-by-sides with roofs and windshields, four-seaters and six-seaters are all available depending on how many people are riding together: the operator refreshes the fleet each summer.

The trails themselves vary: some are maintained dirt paths, others are rutted and rougher, and a few sections cut through rocky creek beds. You cover about 10 miles over roughly 1½ hours of actual riding, with your guide leading the way. The terrain sits on three sides of Denali National Park, so the landscape around you is genuine backcountry. The group stops at scenic viewpoints for photos, and the guide points out wildlife and history along the way. You might get muddy and be exposed to the elements, so dress in layers and wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.

The real draw here is the timing. Departing at 9pm during the weeks around the summer solstice means you're riding under the midnight sun: the sky never fully darkens, and prolonged sunsets bathe the mountains in rosy alpenglow. It's the same trails and the same terrain as a daytime ride, but the light never quits. After the tour wraps, the driver returns you to your hotel or the meeting point.

What’s included

• All riding gear including helmets, goggles and gloves.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• a professional guide leading the group.
• a safety course before you ride.
• brand-new four-wheel-drive ATVs with automatic transmission.

Options for this experience

4 options

Four-seater side-by-side ATVUp to 4 people · Guide in English · Available from 6 Jun 2027Four-seat open-air Side by Side ATV with a roof, windshield, bucket seats, and half doors. It is automatic and drives like a car. Pickup is included.

Side-by-side ATV with an enclosed cabinUp to 5 people · Guide in English · Available from 6 Jun 2027Fully enclosed five-seat Side by Side ATV with power windows, heat, air conditioning, and Bluetooth music. It drives like a car and carries up to five riders. Pickup is included.

Two-seater side-by-side ATVUp to 14 people · Guide in English · Available from 6 Jun 2027Two-seat open-air Side by Side ATV with a roof, windshield, bucket seats, and half doors. Double occupancy only. Pickup is included.

Single Rider ATVGuide in English · Available from 6 Jun 2027Classic ride-on four-wheeler ATV for a single rider only. Features handlebars with power steering and an automatic transmission, so there is no shifting. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 6 Jun 2027

Book up to4h before

GroupUp to 28

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 16 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 28 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Denali ATV Adventures

Is this one for you?Choose a single-rider ATV if you want full control of the machine and the freedom to set your own pace on the trail. Pick a side-by-side if you'd rather share the ride and the cost with a travel partner or family member. The midnight sun departure suits night-owls and anyone who wants to experience the landscape under light that never fully fades: same trails as a daytime tour, but the sky stays bright.

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Top questions

Do I need ATV experience to book this ride?

No ATV experience is necessary. Everyone completes a safety course before the ride starts, and the guide leads the group at a pace suitable for all riding abilities, from novices to experienced riders.

What's included with the ATV rental?

The Midnight Sun ATV riding includes all riding gear (helmets, goggles and gloves) plus hotel pickup and drop-off and a professional guide for the full 2.5-hour adventure. You just bring yourself and dress for the weather.

What time does the tour depart and how long does it last?

The tour departs at 9pm during the weeks surrounding the summer solstice and runs for 2.5 hours total, with about 1½ hours spent actually riding the trails.

Can children ride on the ATVs?

Children must be accompanied by an adult, and riders must be at least 16 years old to operate an ATV. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller at the meeting point, though they won't be on the trails themselves.

What are the terrain and trail conditions like?

Trails vary from maintained dirt paths to rutted sections and rocky creek beds. The group rides about 10 miles total, stopping at scenic viewpoints. Terrain is suitable for all physical fitness levels, though you should be prepared to get muddy and be exposed to the elements.

What ATV options are available?

You can choose a single-rider ATV, a two-seater side-by-side, a four-seater side-by-side or a six-seater side-by-side. The side-by-side models have roofs and windshields. All are four-wheel-drive with automatic transmission and brand-new each summer.