Night riding in Alaska never gets old. This evening side-by-side tour takes you onto a 2020 Can-Am Maverick Trail for a guided 32-mile (51-kilometer) run, where the light hangs around in the classic midnight-sun way and your guide brings the region to life. I especially love that you’re not just watching from the passenger seat—you’re piloting the machine yourself, and the trail turns into steep, rocky, muddy fun. The other big win is the way the guides keep the group moving and feeling in control, with leaders such as Paul, Jenny, Keith, Bo, Eli, John, and Joe. One thing to plan for: you should expect wet, muddy conditions, so your footwear and clothing need to handle it.

You’ll start at Pioneer Park (625 2 Rivers Rd, Fairbanks) around 6:30pm, then meet transportation for the trailhead with a short check-in. The total experience runs about five hours and brings you back to the same meeting point, with a maximum of 16 riders—small enough that safety checks and help feel quick, not rushed.

Key highlights to know before you go

• 32-mile guided trail on a 2020 Can-Am Maverick Trail, tuned for driving (not just sightseeing)
• Midnight sun timing: it still feels bright out while you ride, even though it’s evening
• Side-by-side with your companion: you and your partner drive together on the same outing
• Real-terrain thrills: mud, ruts, steep loose rock, and water-through-mud moments
• Equipment and protection included: helmets and wet-weather gear help you stay comfortable
• Small group size (max 16) means less waiting and more time on the trail

A 2020 Can-Am side-by-side ride that actually feels like Alaska

Fairbanks is one of those places where the sky can trick you. On a summer evening, the light lingers long enough that riding at dusk feels different than typical night adventures. You’re out on a trail designed for this machine and for this terrain, with your guide pacing the group so you get thrills without turning the ride into chaos.

The best part is how hands-on it is. This isn’t a sit-and-stare photo tour. You drive the side-by-side, and the route builds in moments that make you use real trail skills: easing over loose rock, choosing the best line through ruts, and handling the surprise of mud that shows up exactly when you think it won’t.

I also like the human side of it. Guides such as Paul and Jenny aren’t just there to point forward. They help you read the terrain, adjust your pace, and explain what you’re seeing—so the ride becomes a story, not just a sequence of turns.

Pioneer Park check-in: quick, simple, and geared for ride time

Your day starts at Pioneer Park, 625 2 Rivers Rd, Fairbanks. Plan to arrive with enough time to find the right spot and get checked in before pickup and trail transport.

A short stop like this matters more than you’d think. You’ll have time to get oriented, meet the transportation to the trailhead, and get your head straight for riding. Once you’re kitted up, you’ll want your body focused—because this trail can be bumpy, muddy, and steep in spots.

This tour is built for motion. You’re not spending the afternoon milling around. The rhythm is: meet up, move to the trailhead, ride hard (in a fun way), then return to Pioneer Park to wrap up.

The heart of the tour: a 32-mile midnight-sun trail you drive yourself

The headline is clear: a guided drive on a 32-mile (51-kilometer) trail using a 2020 Can-Am Maverick Trail. That number matters. A short loop can be fun, but it doesn’t give you time to settle into driving. Here, you get real time to learn how the machine handles and how the guide spaces the group so you’re not constantly stopping.

What “midnight sun” means on the ground

Even though it’s evening, you can expect daylight-like visibility while you ride. That changes the feel of the trail. You’re still getting the night-adventure vibe, but you can actually see ruts forming ahead of you, puddles getting deeper, and views opening up over the Fairbanks area.

On clear stretches, you also get wide-open sight lines over the surrounding hills—enough that the views can interrupt your focus in a good way.

Terrain: when the trail turns technical

This route isn’t just rolling along smooth dirt. Expect sections that challenge you:

• Mud you can choose to plow through (or at least accept you might)
• Steeper inclines with loose rock
• Curvy sections where the machine feels alive
• Water or mud waves where you feel the bottomless churn for a second

The good news: it’s guided. If you’re new, the tour is still set up to be learnable, and the guides help you find a pace that feels safe. If you’re experienced, you’ll likely feel that mix of control and adrenaline that makes you think about doing it again tomorrow.

How the guided pacing works (and why the guide names matter)

A side-by-side tour lives or dies on the guide. The best ones do two things at once: they keep you moving and they keep you thinking.

Here’s what you can count on from this operation:

• Safety comes first, and it shows in the way the group is handled on technical sections
• The guide adapts to what you want your pace to feel like, within reason
• You get real explanations from an Alaskan guide about the region and what you’re riding through

In the group, you might ride with a guide like Paul or Bo, or with someone such as Jenny, Keith, Eli, John, or Joe. Different personalities, same overall goal: you finish feeling confident, not rattled.

A practical tip: listen to the guide’s suggestions about lines and throttle. A lot of the fun comes from choosing how to attack muddy ruts or loose slopes. The guide’s coaching can turn a scary moment into a fun one.

Driving tips that will save your boots, your gloves, and your mood

If you go into this tour expecting “clean fun,” you’ll be disappointed. Plan for getting dirty, because the trail can throw mud up where you don’t want it. The riders who have the best time are the ones prepared.

Clothing and footwear

You’ll be happiest if you wear:

• Boots that can handle mud and water
• Long sleeves and long pants
• Gloves (especially if you want grip and comfort)
• Goggles or eye protection if you’re sensitive to grit and splatter

Some rides may include rain cover gear, and wet-outer-gear is provided. That helps a lot, but your footwear still takes a beating. Bring gear you’re okay washing later—or at least letting dry outside for a few days.

Heat and cold balance

Because this is an evening tour, it can feel cooler than you expect. Even in the summer, it’s Alaska, and conditions can shift. If you’re riding in shoulder seasons, plan for warm layers.

Skill level: first-timers are fine, but be ready

Most travelers can participate, and people have done it as a first time side-by-side experience. You’re not doing a private stunt course. You’re driving as part of a group, on a route that’s technical but managed.

Still, take the “not for the faint of heart” feeling seriously. If you hate steep loose rock, deep mud, or bumpy ruts, this may not be your idea of a relaxing evening. If you like control, motion, and a challenge, you’ll probably love it.

Gear and comfort: helmets, wet-weather protection, and what you should add

The tour includes key gear so you can focus on riding:

• Helmets
• Equipment needed for the side-by-side activity
• Wet-outer-gear or rain protection, depending on the conditions

That’s a big value point. Getting kitted correctly for an ATV trail prevents the two biggest problems: cold hands and distracted driving from rain or discomfort.

What I recommend you add:

• A spare set of dry socks, if you’re the kind of person who hates riding home damp
• A gaiter or something similar if you want to keep grit out of your face
• Warm layers if you’re sensitive to evening cold

Also, protect your eyes. Mud can pop up fast when the trail gets churned.

Group size and the flow of the evening: less waiting, more riding

With a maximum of 16 travelers, you’re not stuck in a giant convoy. That small-group size helps in two ways:

1) you get clearer spacing between machines on technical sections

2) you spend more time driving and less time waiting

The ride itself is structured to avoid dead time before you hit the trail. Even the bumpy transport up to the trail area feels brief because the main event starts soon after you’re set.

If you’re the sort of traveler who gets irritated by tours that waste time on logistics, this format tends to land well. You’re paying for a ride, and the schedule generally respects that.

Value check: what you’re really paying for (beyond the vehicle)

Even without seeing a price number, I can still talk value based on what’s included in your time:

• You’re driving a modern machine (2020 Can-Am Maverick Trail), not renting a worn-out beater
• Guides handle the hard parts: the route, the pacing, and the safety rhythm
• Gear and pickup help you show up ready, which often costs extra on self-guided options
• The trail distance (32 miles) gives you the kind of experience that doesn’t feel like a quick taste

If you’re already an ATV person, this is the type of tour that scratches the itch closest to riding on your own. If you’re new, the included coaching and gear can help you avoid the most common beginner mistakes.

If you want a calm evening stroll with zero mud and zero mechanical excitement, you’ll probably prefer something else.

Who this tour is perfect for (and who should skip)

This is a strong match if you:

• Want an active evening in Fairbanks that isn’t just photos from a bus
• Like driving and want control, not just a passenger experience
• Are comfortable getting wet and dirty
• Want a guided route that still lets you feel like a driver

It may be a poor match if you:

• Can’t handle steep, loose terrain or bumpy ruts
• Hate getting muddy, even a little
• Are looking for a fully relaxed, low-motion evening

The fact that most travelers can participate is encouraging. Just remember the trail can include more intensity than a smooth beginner loop.

Should you book Midnight Sun ATV Tours’ Side-by-Side Evening Tour?

I’d book it if your trip to Fairbanks includes a window where you can handle an outdoors, hands-on adventure in cool evening air and potential mud. The combination of a 32-mile drive, a modern Can-Am Maverick Trail, and guides who actively manage safety and pace makes this one of the more satisfying ways to see the area beyond the obvious viewpoints.

If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: Do you want to drive through real Alaskan terrain, or do you want a gentler evening plan? If you want the former, this tour is built for you. If you want the latter, you might feel out of place once the trail starts getting technical.

FAQ

What time does the Side by Side Evening Tour start in Fairbanks?

It starts at 6:30pm. You’ll meet at 625 2 Rivers Rd, Fairbanks, AK 99712.

How long is the tour?

The experience runs about 5 hours.

Is pickup included?

Pickup is offered. The activity also includes the equipment you need for the side-by-side ride.

What vehicle will we drive?

You’ll ride a 2020 Can-Am Maverick Trail.

How far is the trail?

The guided trail route is about 32 miles (51 kilometers).

Is there a group limit?

Yes. The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

What kind of weather is required?

Good weather is required. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.