Best Reindeer Tours in Alaska: Walk With Reindeer + Visitor Tips

Have you ever imagined walking through an Alaska forest with reindeer right beside you? In Alaska, you can actually do it, and it’s one of the most unique experiences to add to your trip. However, not every reindeer tour offers the same experience. Some let you walk with reindeer through the boreal forest, while others focus on feeding, photos, or shorter animal encounters. In this guide, we share the best reindeer tours in Alaska, from true reindeer walks in Fairbanks to farm experiences near Anchorage. We compare winter and summer options, prices, locations, and tour types to help you choose the right experience for your Alaska itinerary.

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Our Experience Walking With Reindeer in Alaska

After years of exploring Alaska, we’ve had plenty of memorable wildlife encounters, but walking with reindeer through a snowy boreal forest was something completely different.

We joined a reindeer walk near Fairbanks during winter, when deep snow covered the forest and temperatures were well below freezing. Instead of watching the animals from behind a fence, we walked alongside them as they moved through the trees. We could observe their behavior up close, take photos, and learn more about how reindeer live and adapt to Alaska’s harsh climate.

What surprised us most was how peaceful the experience felt. This wasn’t a fast-paced winter adventure. We moved slowly through the forest, stopped often, and simply enjoyed being around the animals.

We’ve also visited Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer, which offers a very different experience. It’s one of our favorite family-friendly attractions near Anchorage, but it’s more of a farm visit than a true reindeer walk.

If your dream is specifically to walk with reindeer through a boreal forest, we think Fairbanks offers the most interesting options.

Throughout this guide, we’ll combine our firsthand experience with detailed research into Alaska’s current reindeer tours to help you understand the differences and choose the experience that best fits your trip.

Quick Answer: What Is the Best Reindeer Tour in Alaska?

The best reindeer experience depends on whether you want a true reindeer walk, a private tour, a short encounter, or a family-friendly farm visit.

Here are our top picks:

• Best Overall Reindeer Walk: 45-minute Walking with Reindeer Experience at Borealis Camp nar Fairbanks and 2.5 hour Reindeer Walk by Running Reindeer Ranch in Fairbanks
• Best Short and Budget-Friendly Encounter: Reindeer Meet & Greet at Borealis Basecamp
• Best Reindeer Experience with Other Winter Activities: Reindeer and Snowmobile Day Trip to Borealis Basecamp with Lunch
• Best Private Reindeer Tour: Chena Outdoor Collective near Fairbanks
• Best Reindeer Experience Near Anchorage: Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer
• Best Educational Budget Option: UAF Large Animal Research Station in Fairbanks

If walking with reindeer is your main goal, Fairbanks is our top choice. It has several experiences where you can actually walk through the boreal forest alongside reindeer, including options available during Alaska’s spectacular winter season.

If you’re staying around Anchorage, Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer is the easiest alternative. It’s more of a farm and animal encounter than a traditional reindeer walk, but it’s affordable, family-friendly, and easy to add to a Mat-Su Valley itinerary.

Whether you’re planning a summer or winter trip, meeting reindeer should be on your Alaska bucket list. In our opinion, it’s one of the best experiences in Alaska and a memorable addition to any itinerary.

Best Reindeer Tours in Alaska: Quick Comparison

Before we review each experience in detail, here’s a quick comparison of our favorite places to see and walk with reindeer in Alaska.

Reindeer Experience	Location	Type	Season	Best For
Running Reindeer Ranch	Fairbanks	Reindeer walk	Year-round	Best overall reindeer walk
Chena Outdoor Collective	Fairbanks area	Private reindeer walk	Year-round	Couples, families, private experience
Borealis Basecamp	Fairbanks area	Reindeer walk/encounter	Seasonal options	Winter travelers, combination adventures
Reindeer Meet & Greet at Borealis Basecamp	Fairbanks area	Short encounter	Seasonal options	Budget travelers, families, limited time
Williams Reindeer Farm	Palmer	Farm experience	Year-round	Families, Anchorage and Mat-Su visitors
UAF Large Animal Research Station	Fairbanks	Educational tour	Seasonal options	Budget travelers, families, wildlife education

Our Tip: Pay attention to the type of experience, not just the word “reindeer” in the tour name. A true reindeer walk lets you move through the forest alongside the animals, while meet-and-greets and farm visits usually focus more on feeding, photos, and learning about reindeer.

Best Reindeer Tours in Alaska

Here are our top reindeer tours and experiences in Alaska, with options for different budgets, seasons, and travel styles.

1. Running Reindeer Ranch – Best Overall Reindeer Walk

If your dream is to walk with reindeer in Alaska, Running Reindeer Ranch near Fairbanks is our top pick. Unlike a traditional farm visit or short meet-and-greet, this experience lets you walk through the boreal forest while the reindeer roam alongside you.

The entire experience lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours, with roughly an hour spent outside with the herd. Along the way, guides explain reindeer behavior, biology, adaptations to Arctic conditions, and what makes domesticated reindeer different from Alaska’s wild caribou.

Another reason we like this experience is that the reindeer aren’t simply standing in an enclosure waiting to be fed. They move around the forest, stop to forage, and interact with the group on their own terms. This makes the experience feel much more natural.

Tours operate year-round, so the experience changes dramatically with the seasons. Summer brings green boreal forest, while winter transforms the ranch into a snow-covered landscape. If you want that classic Arctic atmosphere, we’d choose winter.

After the walk, there’s time to warm up indoors with homemade cookies and hot drinks while learning more about the herd.

Good to Know

• Location: Fairbanks area
• Duration: About 2–2.5 hours
• Season: Year-round
• Experience: Guided reindeer walk and educational presentation
• Best for: Couples, photographers, families with older children, and anyone who wants a true reindeer walk
• Walking: Natural, uneven forest terrain
• Young children: Children under 3 must be carried in a backpack carrier

Who Should Book This Tour?

We recommend Running Reindeer Ranch if the reindeer themselves are the main reason you’re booking the experience. You get considerably more time with the animals than on a quick meet-and-greet, and the forest walk is what makes this experience special.

However, if you’re traveling with very young children, have limited mobility, or simply want a quick photo-and-feeding experience, one of the shorter Fairbanks reindeer encounters later in this guide may be a better choice.

Best for: A true walk-with-reindeer experience in Alaska.

2. Borealis Basecamp Reindeer Meet & Greet – Best Short Reindeer Experience

If you want to meet reindeer but don’t need a full forest walk, the Reindeer Meet & Greet at Borealis Basecamp is a shorter and more affordable alternative.

The experience lasts about 30 minutes and focuses on getting close to the resident reindeer. You’ll learn about the animals, feed them, take photos, and have time to interact with the herd.

This is a good choice for families with younger children, travelers who don’t want to spend several hours outdoors, or anyone fitting multiple activities into a busy Fairbanks itinerary. It’s also suitable for all ages, making it more flexible than some longer reindeer walks.

At around $40 per person, it’s one of the more budget-friendly ways to enjoy a reindeer experience in the Fairbanks area.

What we especially like about Borealis Basecamp is that they also offer a shorter reindeer walk. The 45-minute Walking with Reindeer Experience is a great alternative if you don’t have 2.5 hours for the longer Running Reindeer Ranch tour.

It’s also more affordable and can be a better choice during winter when temperatures in Fairbanks are extremely cold and you don’t want to spend several hours outdoors.

Good to Know

• Location: Borealis Basecamp, north of Fairbanks
• Duration: About 30 minutes
• Price: Around $40 per person
• Experience: Feeding, photos, and learning about reindeer
• Age: All ages
• Best for: Families, budget travelers, and visitors with limited time

Who Should Book This Experience?

Choose the Reindeer Meet & Greet if you mainly want to see reindeer up close, take photos, and learn about them without committing to a longer walk.

However, don’t book it expecting the same experience as a true reindeer walk. If walking through the boreal forest alongside the animals is what you’re dreaming about, choose one of the longer experiences instead.

Best for: A quick, budget-friendly reindeer encounter near Fairbanks.

3. Borealis Basecamp – Best Reindeer Tour to Combine With Other Winter Adventures

If you want to combine reindeer with other Fairbanks winter activities, Borealis Basecamp is one of the most convenient choices. Located about 25 miles north of Fairbanks, this remote property offers several reindeer experiences alongside snowmobiling, dog sledding, and Northern Lights viewing.

The Reindeer Walking Experience takes you into the boreal forest with a small group of reindeer. You’ll walk alongside the animals, learn about their adaptations to Alaska’s Arctic environment, and then meet the rest of the herd.

However, the biggest advantage of Borealis Basecamp is the ability to make reindeer part of a larger winter adventure, like this Reindeer and Snowmobile Day Trip to Borealis Basecamp with Lunch. Depending on current availability, you can find day trips that combine a reindeer encounter with dog sledding or snowmobiling, often with transportation from Fairbanks included.

This is a particularly good option if you have limited time in Fairbanks and want to experience several classic Alaska winter activities in one day.

Good to Know

• Location: About 25 miles north of Fairbanks
• Experience: Reindeer walk, meet-and-greet, and combination tours
• Best for: Winter travelers and visitors with limited time
• Combine with: Snowmobiling, dog sledding, or a stay at Borealis Basecamp
• Transportation: Some day-trip packages include hotel pickup from Fairbanks

Who Should Book This Tour?

Choose Borealis Basecamp if you want reindeer to be one part of a bigger Alaska winter experience rather than the sole focus of your day.

For a longer experience centered specifically on walking with reindeer, we’d choose Running Reindeer Ranch or Chena Outdoor Collective. But if you’re already planning to visit Borealis Basecamp or want to combine several winter activities, this is one of the easiest options.

Best for: Combining reindeer with other Alaska winter adventures.

4. Chena Outdoor Collective – Best Private Reindeer Walk

If you prefer a more personal experience, Chena Outdoor Collective offers private reindeer tours near Fairbanks. The property is located in the Two Rivers area, between Fairbanks and Chena Hot Springs, making it easy to combine with other activities along Chena Hot Springs Road.

The standard Private Reindeer Tour lasts about 45 minutes. You’ll meet the reindeer, learn about their behavior and adaptations, and take a short walk with them through the black spruce forest.

Because the tour is private, it’s a particularly good choice for couples and families who don’t want to join a larger group. It’s also much shorter than the Running Reindeer Ranch experience, which can be an advantage during extremely cold winter days or when you have limited time.

Chena Outdoor Collective also offers longer specialty experiences, including a Fireside Tea & Reindeer Tour and a more immersive Private VIP Reindeer Experience. These are worth considering if you want more time with the animals rather than a quick introduction.

Good to Know

• Location: Two Rivers, near Fairbanks
• Duration: About 45 minutes for the standard private tour
• Season: Year-round
• Experience: Private reindeer encounter and forest walk
• Best for: Couples, families, small groups, and travelers wanting a private experience
• Setting: Black spruce boreal forest

Who Should Book This Tour?

Choose Chena Outdoor Collective if you want to walk with reindeer without committing several hours to the experience. The private format is another major advantage, especially for families who prefer to move at their own pace.

Best for: A shorter, private reindeer walk near Fairbanks.

5. Williams Reindeer Farm – Best Reindeer Experience Near Anchorage

If you’re staying in Palmer or the Mat-Su Valley, Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer is the easiest place to add a reindeer experience to your itinerary. It’s about an hour’s drive from Anchorage and offers a very different experience from the forest reindeer walks around Fairbanks.

Rather than focusing only on reindeer, this is a family-friendly farm experience where you can see several Alaska and farm animals. Reindeer are the main attraction, and visitors can feed and interact with them, but the standard summer admission isn’t a true walk-with-reindeer tour.

We have visited the farm ourselves and think it’s one of the best family-friendly attractions in the Palmer area. It’s also considerably more affordable than most dedicated reindeer tours, making it a good choice if you’re traveling on a budget.

The experience changes by season. During the main summer season, visitors explore the farm at their own pace, while winter visits are more structured and require advance reservations. Because operating dates and experiences vary throughout the year, check the current schedule before visiting.

Good to Know

• Location: Palmer, about an hour from Anchorage
• Experience: Reindeer feeding, animal encounters, and farm visit
• Season: Seasonal; experiences vary between summer and winter
• Best for: Families, budget travelers, and Anchorage or Mat-Su Valley visitors
• Allow: Around 1.5–2 hours for a typical visit
• Accessibility: Designed to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, although gravel and winter snow can make some areas more difficult to navigate

Who Should Visit?

Choose Williams Reindeer Farm if you want an affordable and relaxed reindeer experience near Anchorage, especially if you’re traveling with children.

We’ve covered the farm in much more detail in our Williams Reindeer Farm review, including what to expect, seasonal differences, and whether we think it’s worth visiting.

Best for: Families and travelers looking for an affordable reindeer experience near Anchorage.

6. UAF Large Animal Research Station – Best Educational Alternative

If you want to learn about reindeer without booking a dedicated reindeer walk, consider the University of Alaska Fairbanks Large Animal Research Station (LARS).

This isn’t a walk-with-reindeer or hands-on animal encounter. Instead, LARS offers guided outdoor tours focused on the northern animals living at the research station and the scientific work conducted there. The station maintains a research herd of Alaskan reindeer, along with musk oxen.

During the summer season, tours include reindeer, muskoxen, and wood bison. Tours last about 45 minutes to one hour and are entirely outdoors. LARS also offered winter tours from February through early April, featuring reindeer and muskoxen.

This is also one of the most affordable options on our list. Summer admission costs $20 for adults and $15 for students, seniors 65+, and military, while children ages 4 and under are free.

Good to Know

• Location: Fairbanks
• Duration: About 45–60 minutes
• Season: Seasonal tours, including summer and select winter dates
• Experience: Guided outdoor educational tour
• Animals: Reindeer, muskoxen, and wood bison during summer tours
• Best for: Families, budget travelers, and visitors interested in Arctic animals and research
• Important: This is not a reindeer walk or hands-on reindeer encounter

Who Should Visit?

Choose LARS if you’re interested in reindeer biology, Arctic animals, and research rather than close interaction with the animals. It’s an affordable way to see reindeer while learning something meaningful about the species.

Best for: An affordable and educational alternative to a dedicated reindeer tour.

Reindeer Walk vs. Reindeer Farm vs. Meet-and-Greet

Not every reindeer experience in Alaska is a reindeer walk, and understanding the difference is important before booking. The experiences vary in length, level of interaction, setting, and price.

Reindeer Walk

A true reindeer walk gives you the chance to walk through the boreal forest alongside reindeer. The animals move through the natural surroundings while you follow with a guide.

This is the most immersive option and our top choice if meeting reindeer is one of the highlights of your Alaska trip. Fairbanks offers the best selection of these experiences.

Best for: Couples, photographers, animal lovers, and travelers looking for a memorable Alaska experience.

Reindeer Meet-and-Greet

A meet-and-greet is much shorter. Instead of walking through the forest, you spend time meeting the reindeer, learning about them, taking photos, and, depending on the experience, feeding them.

These tours are usually less expensive and require less time outdoors. They’re a good choice for families with younger children or travelers with a packed itinerary.

Best for: Families, budget travelers, and visitors with limited time.

Reindeer Farm

A reindeer farm visit is a broader attraction rather than a dedicated reindeer tour. At Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer, for example, reindeer are the main attraction, but you’ll also see other animals and explore more of the property.

It’s a particularly good choice if you’re staying around Anchorage and don’t plan to travel to Fairbanks.

Best for: Families, Anchorage-area visitors, and travelers who want an affordable animal experience.

Which Should You Choose?

If your dream is to walk with reindeer in Alaska, choose one of the dedicated Fairbanks reindeer walks. You’ll spend more time with the animals and experience them in a beautiful boreal forest setting.

For a shorter and more affordable experience, choose a meet-and-greet. And if you’re traveling with children or staying near Anchorage, Williams Reindeer Farm is an excellent alternative.

Fairbanks vs. Palmer: Where Is Better for Reindeer Tours?

If walking with reindeer is high on your Alaska bucket list, we’d choose Fairbanks. It offers several dedicated reindeer experiences, including true walks through the boreal forest, private tours, short meet-and-greets, and combination winter adventures.

Fairbanks is also our top choice for a winter reindeer walk. Snow-covered forests create a beautiful setting, and you can easily combine the experience with other winter activities, such as dog sledding, snowmobiling, or Northern Lights viewing.

Choose Fairbanks If You Want:

• A true walk through the forest with reindeer.
• Several tours to choose from.
• A winter reindeer experience.
• Private or small-group options.
• To combine reindeer with other Fairbanks activities.

Choose Palmer If You Want:

Palmer is the better choice if you’re staying in Anchorage or the Mat-Su Valley and don’t want to travel north just for a reindeer experience.

Williams Reindeer Farm offers an affordable and family-friendly way to meet and feed reindeer. However, it’s a farm visit rather than the immersive forest walks available around Fairbanks.

Palmer works particularly well for families and summer road trips. You can easily combine the farm with other attractions and outdoor activities in the Mat-Su Valley.

Our Pick

Fairbanks wins for a true reindeer walk. Palmer wins for an affordable and family-friendly farm experience near Anchorage.

We wouldn’t recommend choosing between Fairbanks and Palmer based only on reindeer. Instead, choose the experience that naturally fits your Alaska itinerary. If you’re already visiting Fairbanks, take advantage of its excellent reindeer walks. If your trip stays around Anchorage and Southcentral Alaska, Williams Reindeer Farm is a much more practical choice.

How Much Do Reindeer Tours in Alaska Cost?

Reindeer experiences in Alaska vary widely in price. A simple farm or educational visit can start at around $20, while dedicated reindeer walks typically cost around $70–$120+ per person. Private, VIP, and combination tours cost considerably more.

Experience	Typical Price
Educational tour or farm visit	About $20+
Short reindeer meet-and-greet	About $40+
Reindeer walk	About $70–$120+
Combination winter tour	About $200–$300+
Private or VIP experience	$300+

Don’t compare tours by price alone. A short meet-and-greet and a true forest reindeer walk are very different experiences. Check the duration, type of interaction, group size, and what’s included before booking.

Prices change, so always check current rates with the operator.

Are Reindeer Tours in Alaska Good for Kids?

Yes. Many reindeer experiences in Alaska are family-friendly, but the best option depends on your child’s age and attention span.

For younger children, a short meet-and-greet or Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer may be a better choice than a long forest walk. Kids can see the animals up close without spending several hours outdoors.

Older children may enjoy a true reindeer walk, especially if they’re interested in animals. Keep in mind that some tours involve uneven forest trails and plenty of time listening to the guide.

If you’re visiting in winter, cold is another important factor. Even a short tour can feel long for children when temperatures drop well below freezing.

Before booking, check the operator’s current age requirements and consider the tour length. The longest experience isn’t necessarily the best one for a family with young kids.

Are Reindeer Tours in Alaska Accessible?

Accessibility varies significantly between reindeer experiences, so check the details before booking if anyone in your group has limited mobility.

Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer is one of the better options. The farm is designed to accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, although gravel, snow, and winter conditions can make some areas more difficult to navigate.

True reindeer walks around Fairbanks take place on natural forest trails that can be uneven, snowy, or slippery. These walks are not wheelchair accessible and may also be challenging for travelers with limited mobility.

If mobility is a concern, a short reindeer meet-and-greet may be more comfortable than a forest walk. However, always contact the operator directly to confirm current accessibility before booking.

Are Reindeer Tours in Alaska Ethical?

Animal welfare is worth considering when choosing a reindeer tour. Look for experiences where guides educate visitors about the animals, group sizes are controlled, and reindeer have space to move away from people when they choose.

A good example is Running Reindeer Ranch, where the reindeer move freely during the forest walk rather than following a tightly controlled route. The ranch describes its reindeer as tame but not trained, so the animals decide where to wander, stop, and forage.

Regardless of which tour you choose, always follow the guide’s instructions about feeding, touching, and approaching the animals. Reindeer may be accustomed to people, but they are still large animals and should be treated with respect.

What to Wear for a Reindeer Walk in Alaska

What you wear depends heavily on the season. Reindeer walks take place outdoors, and you’ll often move slowly or stop while the guide talks, which can make you feel colder than during more active adventures.

Winter Reindeer Walk

Dress for the conditions with warm base layers, an insulated jacket, snow pants, winter boots, a hat, and insulated gloves. Hand and toe warmers are also useful during very cold Fairbanks days.

Don’t underestimate your footwear. Warm, insulated boots are especially important when standing in snow for longer periods.

Summer Reindeer Walk

Wear comfortable closed-toe walking shoes or lightweight hiking boots, long pants, and layers you can adjust as temperatures change. After rain, forest trails can be wet, muddy, and slippery, so we recommend shoes with good traction rather than sandals.

Mosquitoes can also be intense around Fairbanks in summer. Bring insect repellent and consider wearing long sleeves.

Tips for Booking a Reindeer Tour in Alaska

A little planning can make your reindeer experience much more enjoyable. Here are our most important tips:

• Book ahead. Popular reindeer walks have limited group sizes and can sell out, especially during peak travel periods.
• Check what type of experience you’re booking. A reindeer walk, farm visit, and meet-and-greet are very different.
• Consider the tour length. A shorter encounter may work better for young children or during extremely cold winter weather.
• Check age and mobility requirements. Natural forest trails can be uneven, muddy, snowy, or slippery.
• Dress for standing outdoors. You’ll often stop while the guide talks, so you may feel colder than during an active hike.
• Bring a camera or phone. Reindeer can come surprisingly close, creating excellent photo opportunities.
• Follow the guide’s instructions. Never feed or touch the animals unless your guide says it’s allowed.
• Check cancellation policies. Alaska weather can affect road conditions and outdoor tours, particularly in winter.

Final Thoughts: Are Reindeer Tours in Alaska Worth It?

Yes. We think a reindeer tour is one of the most unique wildlife experiences you can add to an Alaska itinerary, especially if you choose a true reindeer walk.

For the most immersive experience, we’d choose Fairbanks, where you can walk through the boreal forest alongside reindeer in summer or winter. If you’re staying near Anchorage, Williams Reindeer Farm in Palmer is a more affordable and family-friendly alternative.

Our winter reindeer walk near Fairbanks was peaceful, fun, and completely different from Alaska’s more adrenaline-filled winter activities. Walking beside reindeer through a snow-covered forest made the experience especially memorable.

The key is choosing the right tour. Decide whether you want a longer forest walk, a private experience, a quick meet-and-greet, or a farm visit. Whichever you choose, meeting these incredible Arctic animals up close is an experience we highly recommend adding to your Alaska trip.

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