Mahoney Lake Off-Road UTV Tour
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Ketchikan, USA
- 3 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Get off the beaten path on this utility-task vehicle (UTV) tour to Mahoney Lake. Ride mountainous off-road trails along the George Inlet Fjords, Tongass National Forest, and Mahoney Lake, a small lake north of Beaver Falls. Along the way, stop to soak up views spot wildlife, and lunch on smoked reindeer links on a bun with hot chocolate and coffee.
- An off-road UTV tour to Mahoney Lake from Ketchikan
- Ride UTVs—larger and more spacious than all-terrain vehicles
- Lunch on smoked reindeer links on a bun with hot chocolate and coffee
- Includes hassle-free private transportation from Ketchikan
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Guests drive the UTV's and can trade off
- LunchIncludes a smokin' reindeer link, vegan chili Beverages available including coffee, tea & Water
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Allow your guides to arrange convenient pickup for you from Ketchikan. Then, hop into your UTV, offering a blend of comfort and adventure, and start off-roading.
Take the wheel and trade off with your fellow explorers as you soak up the views. As you pass by Ketchikan, catch a glimpse of the vibrant downtown filled with local shops, restaurants, historic landmarks, and totem poles.
Next, navigate through rugged trails, immersing yourself in the George Inlet Fjords, Tongass National Forest, and Mahoney Lake. Look out for wildlife as you move between each location.
Then, stop to indulge in a scrumptious lunch featuring smoked reindeer links on a bun, accompanied by steaming hot chocolate and coffee. Finally, look out for the Ward Cove Pulp Mill, now transformed into the newest cruise line destination in Southeast Alaska, as you drive through Ward Cove.
Take the wheel and trade off with your fellow explorers as you soak up the views. As you pass by Ketchikan, catch a glimpse of the vibrant downtown filled with local shops, restaurants, historic landmarks, and totem poles.
Next, navigate through rugged trails, immersing yourself in the George Inlet Fjords, Tongass National Forest, and Mahoney Lake. Look out for wildlife as you move between each location.
Then, stop to indulge in a scrumptious lunch featuring smoked reindeer links on a bun, accompanied by steaming hot chocolate and coffee. Finally, look out for the Ward Cove Pulp Mill, now transformed into the newest cruise line destination in Southeast Alaska, as you drive through Ward Cove.
Ketchikan (Pass By)
Ward Cove (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Guests may get dirty dress appropriately.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 24 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Anonymous
This excursion was well worth the money. We got to see scenic views of the Tonga National Forest in Ketchikan, Alaska. We also visited the lower Mahoney Lake. Our tour guides Nico and Jaz went above and beyond explaining things to us.
The manager Mack at Mahoney Lake UTV tours was patient with my emails and very responsive.
I would highly recommend.
Reviews
4.8
based on 539 reviews
April_M, Jun 2026
This is amazing experience! The crew is so friendly and knowledgeable!! They got us back with plenty of time .
Peter_C, Jun 2026
Great time, the ride up is full of breath-taking views. Nellie and Cole are the best, friendly and informative!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the kind words! We couldn't agree more—the views on the ride up never get old. 😊 We're so glad you had a great time with Nellie and Cole. They'll be thrilled to hear you enjoyed their company and all the information they shared along the way. Thanks for joining us!
Jackie_T, Jun 2026
Please note pick up locations prior to traveling when you may not have internet…I accidentally took a cab 7 miles away! Thankfully people helped us figure out the directions we followed were to a port that had no ships coming in that day! We enjoyed the ride, information from our guide, and the reindeer. However, it states water and tea included, but we had to purchase water.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for joining us and for sharing your experience. We're sorry to hear the pickup location caused some confusion and that you ended up taking a cab to the wrong port before finding us. We know that's especially frustrating when you're traveling without reliable internet access.
To help avoid situations like this, we send detailed pre-arrival information with two designated meeting locations depending on which dock your ship is assigned to. Even so, we understand that travel days can be hectic, and we're glad you were able to connect with us in time for your tour.
We're happy to hear you enjoyed the ride, your guide's commentary, and of course the reindeer!
We also wanted to mention that complimentary water is available during the tour, so we're sorry if that wasn't clearly communicated during your visit. We appreciate you bringing it to our attention, as feedback like this helps us improve the guest experience.
Caitlin_M, Jun 2026
UTVs were fun to drive! Awesome trails and included a nice little hike. Nelly and Mitch were great guides!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the great review! We're glad you enjoyed the UTVs, the trails, and the hike—it's one of our favorite ways to experience the rainforest.
Carlene_S, Jun 2026
The scenery is beautiful. Take lots of pictures. Guides take good care of you. Enjoy the ride. We'll always have Mahoney.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the kind words! We love "We'll always have Mahoney"—what a great way to put it. 😊
We're glad you enjoyed the scenery and felt well taken care of by our guides. Mahoney Lake has a way of sticking with people long after the ride is over. Thanks for joining us and for taking the time to share your experience!
George_C, May 2026
UTV’s were in good shape. The views were fantastic to include to small mini hike to the lake. Would recommend.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for the recommendation! We're glad you enjoyed the ride and the hike out to the lake. Mahoney is always worth the extra few steps. 😊
It's great to hear the UTVs and the views lived up to expectations. Thanks for joining us and taking the time to share your experience!
Ezra_P, May 2026
The scenery is beautiful & we had a good time. Our guides were friendly & nice. I think it’s worth noting you only ride atv’s for 11 miles or about 30 minutes out of the 4 hour excursion. It’s a 40 minute drive from the port each way. Wish we spent more time riding around & less time stopping to talk.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you for your feedback. We're glad you enjoyed the scenery and had a good time with our guides.
We understand that our tour isn't for everyone. While the UTV ride itself is a portion of the overall experience, the excursion is designed to combine the drive through the Tongass National Forest, interpretive stops, the hike to Mahoney Lake, and time on the trail. For many guests, learning about the area and experiencing the landscape is just as much a part of the adventure as the ride itself.
That said, we appreciate your perspective and understand that some guests would prefer more time behind the wheel. Thank you for joining us and for taking the time to share your thoughts.
Patti_H, May 2026
Transport and guides are very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The ride is a lot of fun and the country is beautiful
Response from Host, May 2026
Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad you enjoyed the beautiful scenery and had fun on the ride. Our guides and drivers love sharing the area with guests, and it’s wonderful to hear their knowledge and friendliness made your experience even better.
Jamie_K, May 2026
If you’re looking for the ultimate way to see the "real" Alaska, this UTV adventure is it! My husband and I recently did this tour in Ketchikan, and it was easily the highlight of our trip.
From the moment we started, the adrenaline was pumping. Driving the UTVs through the rugged, muddy trails of the Tongass National Forest was an absolute blast. We weren't just passengers; we really got to handle the terrain ourselves, splashing through puddles and climbing up steep, timber-lined ridges.
Why We Loved It:
The Scenery: Pictures don’t do it justice. We were surrounded by towering old-growth trees and lush rainforest at every turn. Reaching the overlooks and seeing the mountains and ocean stretched out below was a "pinch-me" moment.
The Wildlife: Being out in the remote wilderness gave us such a sense of peace (well, between the engine revs!). We kept our eyes peeled for whales, and the guides were great at pointing out the local flora and fauna.
The Guides: They were fantastic—knowledgeable, safety-conscious, and they made the whole experience so much fun with their stories about life in the Alaskan bush.
It was the perfect mix of high-energy excitement and breathtaking natural beauty. There’s something special about navigating that wild landscape with your partner by your side. If you're visiting Ketchikan, don't miss out on this—it's an experience we’ll be talking about for years!
Response from Host, May 2026
This was so fun to read — sounds like you two got the full Alaska experience! Mud, mountains, rainforest, and a little adrenaline mixed in. 😊 We love that you weren’t afraid to get out there and really take on the trails yourselves.
And honestly, those “wow” moments out in the Tongass never get old for us either. So glad our guides helped make the day even more memorable. Thanks again for coming out and making some muddy Alaska memories with us!
Cloryssa_R, Oct 2025
This was one of the best UTV/ATV experiences we've had. The scenery was so beautiful and majestic; and the staff was excellent. We just loved how attentive and humorous they were at yhe same time. I would definitely recommend this tour if you ever visit Alaska.
Response from Host, Nov 2025
Now that’s what we love to hear — adventure, laughter, and Alaska’s wild beauty all in one trip! 🏔️ Our crew will be grinning ear to ear knowing they helped make your ride such a highlight. Thanks for the awesome recommendation — come back anytime for round two!
Stephanie_B, Oct 2025
Oh my gosh! This was the highlight of our trip! Everyone was so nice and helpful. We had so much fun driving the UTV’s and seeing the beauty surrounding us. We even got some sunshine and a rainbow at the end! I’d give this 10 stars if I could!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
A rainbow ending — that’s adventure magic right there! 🌈 Thanks a ton for joining us and for the 10-star energy. Our crew will be stoked to hear how much fun you had exploring the trails and taking in the views.
Deborah_M, Sep 2025
All the guides were amazing. The scenery was beautiful. My only complaint is it was SO bumpy and dusty. I was concerned we would hit a pot hole and flip multiple times. Aside from that, communication was perfect. Pick up and drop off was perfect. They go out of their way to make things easier for cruisers. For reference we are in our 50's so the bumps may not bother younger peeps!
Response from Host, Nov 2025
We’re so glad you joined us and that you loved the guides, the views, and the overall adventure! You’re absolutely right — those trails can get a bit bumpy (and dusty!) when the fun gets rolling. 😄 We appreciate you sharing your experience and are happy to hear everything else, from communication to pickup, went smoothly.
Cynthia_A, Sep 2025
A great excursion and highly recommended. Our guides were fun and we were able to stop a a few locations to relax and take pictures.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your kind words and recommendation! We’re glad you enjoyed the excursion and had fun with our guides. It’s great to hear you had the chance to relax and capture some special moments along the way. We hope to see you again soon for another memorable adventure!
Tom_S, Aug 2025
This was fantastic! We were actually worried as we read some not so great reviews after we booked, so we were very pleasantly surprised. Our two guides were Fete and Connor (?, I think). Super fun, BEAUTIFUL scenery, and we felt like we had plenty of time out there. The included lunch was just a bonus! Oh another bonus was they have been our only tour that has NOT hounded us for a tip or a review (we gladly included both). Last thing, there were reviews about no shocks, etc. NOT TRUE. It was a blast!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that Fete and Colin made your tour both fun and memorable, and that you enjoyed the stunning scenery and included lunch. We always aim to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere without any pressure, so it’s wonderful to know you felt comfortable throughout. We truly appreciate your honest feedback about the ride quality and your kind words—it means a lot to our team. Thanks again for choosing us and for your generous tip and review!
Carrie_A, Aug 2025
Excellent tour, the scenery was amazing and our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. The bus ride was a bit longer than we expected but well worth the experience. Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Sep 2025
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re glad to hear you enjoyed the amazing scenery and found your guide both friendly and knowledgeable. We appreciate your understanding about the bus ride—it’s all part of the journey to some truly special spots! Thanks so much for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for another great adventure soon.
Amanda_L, Aug 2025
Amazing tour! Nico and Millie were our tour guides and so much fun! Highly recommend booking direct as opposed to booking through the cruise line!!
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had an amazing time on the tour with Nico and Millie – we agree, they’re fantastic guides who love what they do! 😊
Marietta_R, Aug 2025
The UTV excursion was a fun filled exciting ride. We went on rocking, dirt roads with lots of craters. Our guides were entertaining, knowledgeable, and very personal
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you had a fun-filled and exciting ride on our UTV excursion. Exploring those rugged dirt roads and craters is definitely an adventure, and we're glad you enjoyed every bump along the way!
Chris_M, Aug 2025
Prefer more UTV time; too many stops for scenery—more travel and viewing than riding. Staff was professional.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're glad to hear that you found our staff professional—that means a lot to us.
We understand your preference for more ride time and fewer scenic stops. Our tours aim to balance adventure with the chance to take in the natural beauty of the area, but we appreciate your input and will keep it in mind as we continue to fine-tune our experiences.
Anonymous, Jul 2025
This excursion was well worth the money. We got to see scenic views of the Tonga National Forest in Ketchikan, Alaska. We also visited the lower Mahoney Lake. Our tour guides Nico and Jaz went above and beyond explaining things to us.
The manager Mack at Mahoney Lake UTV tours was patient with my emails and very responsive.
I would highly recommend.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the scenic views of Tongass National Forest and the visit to Lower Mahoney Lake. Nico and Jaz are passionate guides who love sharing their knowledge, and we’re glad they went above and beyond to make your tour special.
We also appreciate your shout-out to Mack—being responsive and helpful is very important to us, and we’re happy it made a difference. It was a pleasure having you with us!
Deborah_W, Jul 2025
A fun trek through beautiful forests with lakes views and a little wildlife thrown in. The guides were absolutely wonderful. Answered all our questions and gave a nice amount of time for viewing. Loved this even on a rainy day.
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you enjoyed your trek through the beautiful forests and lakes, even with a little rain—Alaska’s charm shines in every weather! Our guides love sharing their knowledge and taking the time to make sure everyone has a great experience, so we’re glad that came through
Mike_W, Jul 2025
We had a lot of fun on this trip. Ironically enough, our weather was so beautiful, it was very dusty. This is probably one of the few excursions where a little rain would have helped and made it even more fun. Overall, a great time
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad to hear you had a lot of fun on the trip, even if the beautiful weather brought a bit of extra dust along for the ride. Sometimes a little rain can indeed add to the adventure, but we’re happy the overall experience was a great one.
Amy_S, Jul 2025
Get out and experience some of Alaska’s most beautiful scenery. The trail is dirty, rough, and beautiful. The tour guides are the best out there. If you’re lucky you’ll get to hang with Fete and Nico, a couple of knowledgeable, fun, and all around great guys. They are the best. Keep livin’ the dream guys. ☺️
Response from Host, Aug 2025
Thank you so much for the fantastic shout-out! We’re glad you embraced the “dirty, rough, and beautiful” side of Alaska with us. Fete and Nico are definitely some of our best—they love what they do and it means a lot to hear such kind words. We’ll be sure to pass along your message and encouragement.
madrin_L, Jul 2025
It was disappointing 😞. It was a 10min ride down a dusty road or muddy depending on weather to a beautiful look out. Where pictures can be taken. But little is told of the area, flora, fona, nothing educational. Another 5 min down the road you stop at a beautiful lake for more pics. This time you get out for 10 min. Then you drive straight back to starting point and get your hotdogs 🌭 made of deer. For $250. I was looking for more
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback.
We strive to offer more than just beautiful views, with guides who provide interesting insights about the area’s nature and history. We’re sorry if that didn’t come across clearly during your tour.
Regarding the drive time to the lake, it takes longer than 15 minutes total due to the lengthy winding roads, and we try to communicate that upfront to set accurate expectations.
We understand that not every experience is a perfect fit for every guest, and we appreciate your comments as we continue to improve.
Donald_D, Jul 2025
This was a fun and scenic trip to Lake Mahoney. We saw Orcas, mountain goats and black tail deer. The views along the trail were breathtaking! We had a great time with our guides, Pete and Cole…excellent job! The reindeer sausage is delicious.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the scenic trip to Lake Mahoney and spotted such amazing wildlife like orcas, mountain goats, and black-tailed deer. The breathtaking views along the trail are truly something special.
Fete and Cole will be thrilled to hear your kind words—they take great pride in making each tour memorable. And yes, that reindeer sausage is a fan favorite!
We appreciate you choosing to adventure with us and hope to see you again soon!
Matthew_B, Jul 2025
Great time. Lots of fun. Great guides. Beautiful scenery. Reindeer hotdog at the end was a nice touch. We wish we had more time at the lake. Definitely would do it again. It is a bit of a trek from Ketchikan, but worth it!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We’re so glad you had a great time and enjoyed the fun, beautiful scenery, and of course, the reindeer hotdog at the end—it’s definitely a unique treat. We appreciate your thoughts about the time at the lake and the trek from Ketchikan; your feedback helps us improve the experience.
We’d love to welcome you back anytime for another adventure!
Bridget_V, Jul 2025
This was a fun way to see some off terrain and off the beaten path places. The lake was gorgeous. Learned about some local plants and berries. Make sure to layer clothing, weather permitting, and have a good rain jacket for a rainy day tour. The guides were friendly and answered lots of our questions. We even got to try a reindeer hotdog which was described like eating a Costco hotdog.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed exploring off the beaten path and found the lake gorgeous. It’s great to hear you learned about local plants and berries along the way.
Thanks for the helpful tip about layering and bringing a rain jacket—Alaska weather can definitely keep us on our toes! Our guides love answering questions and sharing knowledge, so we’re happy to hear you appreciated their friendliness.
And yes, the reindeer hotdog is quite the unique treat—Costco hotdog comparison made us laugh! We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon.
Mary_C, Jul 2025
This was such a fun adventure, awesome guides, Nico and Cole were the BEST, super informative and made the day special! Highly recommend!
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We’re so glad Nico and Cole made your adventure special—they’re truly awesome guides who love sharing their knowledge and making every day memorable.
We really appreciate your high recommendation and hope to welcome you back for another great experience soon!
Melissa_L, Jul 2025
This tour takes you to two locations that even most locals haven’t been. The company leases the roads (logging) from the Indian tribe , Tlingit, and uses UTA to travel to the George Inlet and Lake Mahoney. The UVA is fun but not for thrills as you can not go over 25 mph.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful review! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring two of Alaska’s hidden gems — George Inlet and Lake Mahoney — with us. It's true that these areas are rarely visited, even by locals. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share these beautiful and culturally significant locations with our guests.
Our UTVs are definitely more about the journey than speed — giving you a fun, scenic, and safe way to connect with the land. We’re glad you found them enjoyable and hope the ride gave you a deeper appreciation for the incredible surroundings.
Manisha_A, Jun 2025
First time trying a UTV-it was fun! Nico was fantastic.
Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, which made for great puddles but we didn’t get to spend as much time at the lake as there was too much water.
The views are fantastic and my son LOVED the experience.
He ate the hotdog and I had the delicious chili.
Only recommendation I would make is to have us fill out the waivers ahead of time as you need to put your drivers license info and I was having trouble connecting to internet with my phone at the dock.
Response from Host, Jul 2025
Thank you so much for joining us on your first UTV adventure—we’re thrilled to hear you and your son had a great time, even with the rainy weather! Nico will be delighted to know he made your experience a memorable one. And we're glad the hot dog and chili hit the spot after a wet and wild ride!
We really appreciate your feedback about the waivers and internet access at the dock. We do send out auto-emails for the meeting location along with the waivers before your trip. This may have been missed. But we make sure our reps have QR codes/paper waivers on the docks for whomever doesn't see the email.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience. We hope to welcome you back for another ride (hopefully with a little less rain and a little more lake time)!
Randy_B, Jun 2025
A fun ride with great views. The reindeer sausage and vege chili were both delicious. We were there on a dry day so it was very dusty. Our clothes and face were covered in dust so be prepared. A neck gaiter would have come in handy.,
Response from Host, Jun 2025
Thanks for riding with us and for sharing your experience! We're so glad you enjoyed the views and loved the reindeer sausage and veggie chili — they’re definitely guest favorites. You're right about the dust on dry days — it can kick up pretty quickly out there! Great tip about the neck gaiter — we’ll be sure to keep reminding future guests. Hope to see you again for another ride (maybe after a little rain for a less dusty trail)!
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Mahoney Lake Off-Road UTV Tour
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- Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary Tours & Tickets
- Tongass National Forest Tours & Tickets
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