Frequently Asked Questions

You ask…we answer.

Checkin is at the trail head. We meet at he Knik River Public Use Parking Lot. For directions on your phone, CLICK HERE. It is about 45 minutes from downtown Anchorage. Address and directions will be included with your confirmation.

Helmets, boots and safety glasses 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. You will want to have a rain jacket or waterproof layer with you just in case. Sunblock, sunglasses and a change of clothes are optional. Bug repellent is always recommended.

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 a waterproof bag. You will be exposed to varying conditions from dust and dirt to mud and more.

Our full day adventure includes a hot meal cooked on location by your guide for the day.

If you have any dietary restrictions please let us know ahead of time.

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 with a valid driver license 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.

CANCELLATION FEES

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. If you have not purchased travel insurance and cannot make your reservation, 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.

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 for stand-by flights, please call.

Midnight Sun Tours

Midnight Sun 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.