Frequently Asked Questions

Where do we check in at?
Our Adventure Headquarters is located in Palmer near the Knik River Public Use Area (about 45 minutes from downtown Anchorage). Address and directions will be included with your confirmation.

Shuttle service from the downtown Anchorage Visitor Information Center is available for $25 per person for summer full-day tours (May 15 to August 15). Shuttle service is limited to 14 people. If you need this service, please call to make sure we have availability.

What should I bring and wear?
Summer Adventures: Rain gear, helmets, goggles, gloves, and face masks are provided. Make sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty! We recommend bringing a sweatshirt or hoodie in case you get chilly and extra socks. Sunblock, sunglasses and a change of clothes are optional. Bug repellent is always recommended.

Winter Adventures: Make sure to dress for the cold! Warm boots, gloves, jacket, and a hat are a must. An extra layer or two is also recommended so that you can stay warm when there is wind chill. We provide basic gear (helmets and goggles). To maximize the limited daylight, lunch is not provided on winter day adventures. Feel free to bring a snack.

What is the best way to capture the moment?
There will be many opportunities to stop and get photos of Alaska’s jaw dropping scenery. Your guide will be sure to stop at the best photo opportunity spots so we encourage everyone to bring a camera. However, we urge all of our guests to pack electronic items in waterproof bag. You will be exposed to varying conditions from dust to dirt to mud and snow and more.

What can I expect for lunch?
Our summer day tours include a hot, Alaskan meal. We're not talking dehydrated, prepackaged food or a half-burned tin foil dinner. At our destination, we break out our grill and you get to relax and enjoy serenity with a hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa while we cook one of our signature meals. If you get hungry before we break for lunch, let us know. Our "crafty" box is filled full of snack options.

Is there an age requirement?
Guests must be old enough to handle rough and bumpy trail riding. Anyone under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign a release and accompany them on the tour. Guests must be 18 or older to drive ATVs. Guests who are 16 or 17 can drive on some parts of the trail with parental permission and guide approval. Their parent or guardian must ride with them in a side-by-side.

What's your cancellation policy?

COVID-19 Notice
Now that we are in the 4th year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have returned to enforcing our standard cancelation policies. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance to help pay for cancellation fees in the event that you aren’t able to participate in your adventure with us due to COVID exposure or quarantine. If you have not purchased travel insurance and cannot make your reservation due to COVID, please let us know as soon as possible to discuss options including rescheduling. We reserve the right to charge full cancellation fees for no call/no shows, so please make sure you call before your tour. Thanks for considering us. We hope to ride with you soon!

Day Tours
Call or email us 2 weeks or more before your tour and you will receive a 100% refund. At least a week before the tour and you will receive a 50% refund. Less than a week, including no shows, 100% of the tour fee applies. If you need an exception to this policy, please call.

Private, Overnight, and Multi-Day Tours
Private, overnight, and multi-day tours require a non-refundable 50% booking fee. For cancellations with less than 2 weeks notice, or no-shows, 100% of the tour fee applies. 

Be aware, we rarely cancel for weather. If we do have to cancel a tour due to weather, mechanical failure or another unavoidable reason, you will receive a 100% refund of any monies and fees we have collected.

These cancellation policies only apply to 49th State Motor Tours fees. If your tour includes payments to a third party (a hotel, for example), refunds for that portion of the package price will follow that vendor's refund policy.

Are there any health issues I should consider?
Riding ATVs is bouncy, dirty, and often wet. Adventurers with neck/back/joint injuries, heart concerns, or who experience seizures should consult with their doctor before participating in this activity. It is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED that anyone who is pregnant or has had recent surgery not participate in this tour. Please keep in mind that this is a physical activity. Mobility requirements vary from day to day and trail to trail, but all courses require some mobility.

Do I need to be experienced to ride the ATV or Side-by-Side?
All tours start with an introduction to the machines so you'll feel comfortable operating them. Our machines are incredibly easy, automatic machines that most people can learn to operate in only a few minutes. Terrain varies by course. If we ever get to a part of the trail that you are uncertain of, let your guide know. Your guide can pilot your machine through the obstacle and get you back to milder terrain. That is what we are here for.

Do I have to drive myself or can I ride as passenger?
You'll have your choice of driving your own ATV,  riding with a friend, or having one of our expert guides drive you. We want you to be comfortable. Let us know at time of scheduling how many drivers and passengers are in your group and we'll accommodate your needs.

What are the risks of off-roading?
No activity is without risk. Off-roading is no exception. We like to say that off-roading is “safe if done safely” as a reminder that we need everyone on the adventure (including you) to be aware and acting safely. In your adventures with us, you will cover hazardous terrain, encounter wildlife, and travel deep into the Alaskan wilderness. Along the way injuries and fatalities are possible. Help us help you return to civilization by being part of our safety team. Stay on the course, look out for your fellow adventurers, follow the directions of your guides and let your guide know if you see an unsafe condition develop. In addition to having substantial experience, guides are trained in wilderness first aid and equipped with first aid supplies, GPS and an emergency beacon.

Additionally, with the development of COVID-19 it is important to mention the risks of participating in a group activity. Your health is incredibly important to us. We have added extra layers of sanitization for helmets, goggles and gloves. Machines are thoroughly cleaned between each adventure. Guests from different groups are not assigned to ride in the same machine. We offer hand sanitizer at our headquarters and at lunch stops. Every guest is given a free face covering. We are also monitoring and following local and government mandates. Unfortunately, all of these precautions do not eliminate the risk of contracting an illness including COVID-19 while participating in this activity. If you would like to request a private tour, please let us know. The fee to keep a tour private varies with group size.