GETAWAYS
Northwoods Dog Sledding Adventure
Newberry, MI
Feb. 22-26, 2026
If this is your first hike of the season, please fill out the mandatory Annual Registration Waiver during checkout.
Feb. 22-26, 2026
5-days
$1,225.00
Difficulty rating
In the heart of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, the pristine Northwoods beckons an unforgettable winter experience filled with adventure and natural beauty.
Harness and mush your own sled of huskies while admiring their strength and unity as you guide them on the trail.
Snowshoe through the glistening snow of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park and fully enjoy the serene and peaceful beauty of the Northwoods.
Explore magnificent icefalls and frosty caves near the quaint town of Munising and along the shores of Lake Superior. The extraordinary ice formations will stay with you for many years to come.
Gaze at the Milky Way & millions of stars, as we are far from city lights.
Enjoy the Northwoods “small town” hospitality and hearty meals.
Have the option of dogsledding twice or cross country skiing on a “Pure Michigan” trail instead of visiting the Ice Caves and Lake Superior.
Registration Cost
Included in booking:
2 Guides throughout the Getaway.
Driving your own team of huskies on a 10 mile dog sled adventure.
4 nights of “Double Accomodation” at the Quality Inn in Newberry, MI
4 breakfast buffets, 3 dinners, 2 lunches .
Guided tours at Munising to explore the Eban ice caves and Lake Superior ice curtains.
Guided snowshoe tour at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Snow shoes included or bring your own.
Option to cross country ski on a “Pure Michigan” trail nearby Newberry (instead of visiting the Eban ice caves)
Gratuities for dogsledding, staff at Tahquamenon Falls State park & hotel staff.
Amazing memories, friendships, and bragging rights.
Photos from your Getaway
Not included:
One dinner, one lunch, and any alcoholic drinks ordered.
State Park entrance fees: $10.00/vehicle.
Transportation costs to drive your car.
Single room accomodation fee
Optional 2nd day of Dogsledding, $300.00/person
Optional “Pasty” making experience after 2nd day of dogsledding or cross country skiing. $25.00
Pay a $400 deposit now to secure your registration. An invoice for $825.00 will be sent to you in January.
A $400 deposit will not be refunded if you cancel within 30 days of the trip, unless there's a waiting list, and someone to take your place.
Lodging details:
Trailbound has secured your accommodation at the Quality Inn & Suites in Newberry, MI.
This quaint town, renowned as Michigan's Moose Capital, is celebrated for its stunning natural landscapes and wildlife, particularly moose sightings. Known for its welcoming atmosphere, Newberry offers a perfect blend of hospitality and charm.
Your reservation includes a room for double occupancy. Should you prefer a single room, please let us know, and we will invoice you for an additonal fee of $275.00.
Quality Inn & Suites
13954 M-28, Newberry, MI 49868
What to Bring:
A full Packing list will be sent to registered individuals.
Main items:
Layers of warm non-cotton clothing
Comfy, warm, waterproof boots for snowshoeing and exploring ice caves. (Dog Sledding facility will loan you extra warm boots during the sledding time.)
Snowpants & coat
Microspikes to wear over boots while hiking to caves and ice falls.
Hiking poles for ice caves and Ice falls
Hat and mittens, Balaclava is optional for face protection
Optional: Snowshoes, State Park has free loaners if desired.
Comfy clothes for evenings at the lodge
Transportation
The Quality Inn & Suites is approximately 7 hours from Palatine, IL.
Our lodging is centraly located for all our tour destinations, located in Newberry, MI. Destinations for the different tours from Newberry will vary between 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
We are asking all registrants to carpool due to safety and our belief in the enjoyment of community while driving. We suggest carpooling in a 4-wheel drive vehicle (front wheel-drive minimum) for this trip. Please let us know if you have a car available to drive, or if you need a ride with another participant. We will have a maximum of 18 participants. During our time at Newberry, we will be caravaning to our tour destinations to ensure we all stay together.
Over the regular winter season, UP Michigan excels at keeping their roads clear, as this is an essential aspect of life in the area. Local authorities invest considerable resources in snow removal and maintenance to ensure safe travel. We plan to keep this trip safe for all participants, and only caravaning when roads are safe.
DAY 1
Check into Quality Inn & Suites hotel and get settled in room.
Enjoy a Northwoods Dinner catered at our hotel. Our Dogsled owner from Nature’s Kennel, Tashsa Stielstra, will meet us and talk about dogsledding, describe your upcoming adventure with a presentation and answer questions.
Feel free to enjoy the hotel’s hot tub, stay in common area for a game night, or relax in your own room.
DAY 2
Depart for Dogsledding at Nature’s Kennel!
Experience the thrill of driving your own team of 4-5 huskies on a 10-mile ride. You will be following experienced musher guides on a trail that takes you through gentle hills, tall pines, and fields.
The journey begins with a safety briefing, where the guides will share essential information about the sledding process, the behavior of the dogs, and the proper techniques for steering and braking. After this, you will step into the exciting role of a musher, and actually help harness your team of dogs!
As you maneuver through the trails, you’ll feel a connection to the teamwork between you and the dogs, fostering a sense of accomplishment and adventure. It's a memorable experience that combines education, thrill, and the beauty of the great outdoors.
While some women are mushing, others have the chance to hike through the pretty Northwoods, play with the friendly huskies back at the kennel, or even get a sled ride behind a snowmobile!
Lunch will be served at the kennel. We also have a warming house open to us all day.
Dinner at the infamous Timber Charlies in town. Known for the best burgers and craft Michigan beer, with all the local ambience of the Northwoods.
Dinner cost on your own.
Gaze at the countless millions of stars that we seldom get the opportunity to see from our hometowns.
DAY 3
Explore Tahquamenon Falls
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is 50,000 acres of true pristine Upper Peninsula wilderness. Known to be one of the largest waterfalls east of the Mississippi river, the falls roar as 10,000 gallons flow per second!
We will begin our morning snowshoeing with multiple guides in the Lower Falls area. We will all experience the unforgettable quite pristine snow-covered pines in the beautfiul landscape. This incredible serene winter wonderland will stay in your hearts for many years. You will also have the option of a staying on the trail for a longer showshoe, or opting out early if you prefer.
Lunch at the Park pub, decorated in the Northwoods style, giving yourself a break from the cold. Cost on your own
After lunch, take a short hike to Upper Falls to see the grand ice formations and impressive waterfall. The trail has various viewpoints for great photos. Depending upon the time, you may take another short showshoe hike.
Dinner at Zellar’s Village Inn, a charming establishment located in the heart of town. This beloved local restaurant will serve your choice of local whitefish, tender steak, or other heartwarming meals that are sure to please your palate. We will gather in the back room, where live entertainment will add a special touch to our evening. The restaurant also has an old-fashioned juke box to reminisce about days gone by. While dinner is included in the overall experience, please note that beverages and drinks will be an additional cost.
DAY 4 - 3 options for your day
1.Explore the treasures of the UP - Ice Caves
We will depart for the town of Munising, making our first stop at the infamous Eban Ice Caves. After a scenic 3/4 mile walk through the trees and along a creek, we will explore the fascinating ice caves while securely wearing our ice cleats for safety. The end of the hike up to the caves is steeper, and you will love your cleats in this section. You also have the option to stay below at the creek, and not hike the last section up into the caves. This is an hour and a half drive from Newberry, and we will depart at 8:30am.
Lunch will be at the scrumptious Driftwood Deli, and then on to Lake Superior & Sand Point to view the amazing ice curtains along the shoreline. If the lake is frozen, we can walk on this largest body of fresh water on earth! We can also take a short trek on the famed North Country Trail, which stretches 4,600 miles from North Dakota to New York State, the longest trail in the National Trail Systems. An hour drive back to Newberry from Munising. Return about 4:00pm.
2. Dogsledding again, and then onto the town of Curtis
The dogs are your favorite, so why not go twice? Head back to Nature’s Kennel, this time feeling more like a pro in knowing how to handle your team of dogs. Drive your team of dogs on another 10 mile trip through the gentle hills and tall pines. Cost is an additinal $300.00 (includes tip for Nature’s Kennel)
After dogsledding, you will head into the charming town of Curtis, just a 20 minute drive from Nature’s Kennel. Here you will learn how to create, then savor the Upper Pennisula’s famous “Pasty”. This is the beloved meat and veggie handheld pie, that is proudly considered Michigan’s signature dish. Nearby is the Erickson Center of the Arts which has a beauiful gallery full of local art, ranging from sculpture, jewelry, photography, pottery, woodworking and more. Return at 3 or 4:00pm
3. Cross Country Skiing on “Pure Michigan” groomed trails, and then onto the town of Curtis
If you love cross country skiing, you know what a treat it is to cross country ski on groomed trails with lots of snow. Here in Newberry, they just received the honor of being given the title of a “Pure Michigan Trail” for the Canada Lakes Pathway. There are 11.7 miles of groomed trails. We won’t accomplish all miles, but will ski at the pace of the group. You will need to bring your own cross country skis, as there is not any rental in town.
After skiing, you will head into the charming town of Curtis, a short 25 minute drive from Newberry. Here we will join the dogsledders, and learn how to create, then savor the Upper Pennisula’s famous “Pasty”. This is the beloved meat and veggie handheld pie, that is proudly considered Michigan’s signature dish. Nearby is the Erickson Center of the Arts which has a beauiful gallery full of local art, ranging from sculpture, jewelry, photography, pottery, woodworking and more. Return at 3 or 4:00pm
Dine in!
Kick back and relax on this casual evening, get to know each other better, and share stories from the day. We will indulge in a delicious catered dinner featuring stir-fried chicken, savory pasta, fresh salad, and delightful home-made pies that are sure to satisfy your taste buds!
After dinner, you will have the option to create a special souvenir that will serve as a wonderful memory of your dogsledding adventure, along with music and your own beverage preference.
DAY 5
After another complimentary breakfast buffet, depart at your leisure back home.
On your car ride back, your heart will be refreshed with new friendships, amazing stories, and laughter.
Cancellations & Refunds
You may cancel your Getaway for the Northwoods Adventure for a full refund if made 30 days in advance.
If you cancel less than 30 days, a refund will be made if your spot can be filled from a wait list.
**Some itinerary changes may be made due to weather.
Notes on driving to the Upper Peninsula, MI
We are asking all registrants to carpool due to safety and our belief in the enjoyment of community while driving. We suggest car pooling in a 4-wheel drive vehicle (front wheel minimum) for this trip. Please let us know if you have a car available to drive, or if you need a ride with another participant. We will have a maximum of 18 participants. During our time at Newberry, we will be caravaning to our tour destinations to ensure we all stay together.
Over the regular winter season, UP Michigan excels at keeping their roads clear, as this is an essential aspect of life in the area. Local authorities invest considerable resources in snow removal and maintenance to ensure safe travel. We plan to keep this trip safe for all participants, and only caravaning when roads are safe.