Plan Your Trip on the Historic Trail
Whether you are hiking a summer section of the Southern Trek in the Chugach Mountains or preparing for a remote winter expedition, thoughtful preparation and local safety verification are essential.
Experiencing the Trail Across Seasons
Have you dreamed of visiting the Iditarod Trail? Planning is important.
Winter visit? On some sections of the trail, temperatures can regularly drop as low as -40 degrees with snow possible at any time. During the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is a great time to experience the rush of the Trail and to learn about the local communities as well. The Ceremonial Start is in Anchorage, while the Race restart is in Willow. Several trails in Girdwood are also winter ski trails!
Summer visit? The Iditarod Trail is primarily a winter trail and many sections of the Trail are barely usable in the summer. Locals rely on rivers for inter-village transportation instead. However, sections within Chugach State Park, Chugach National Forest, Girdwood, and Eagle River boast wonderful summer trails.
No matter what the time of year, be prepared. Check local conditions before you venture out!
For more information on planning your Iditarod adventure, check out these resources:
Iditarod National Historic Trail Visitor Guide
Bureau of Land Management, Iditarod
Chugach National Forest Visitor Guide
Accessible Summer Segments (Southern Trek)
While much of the northern Trail across the Alaska Range, Interior rivers, and Norton Sound is strictly a winter route over frozen waterways and tundra, the Southern Trek between Seward and Knik offers world-class summer hiking, backpacking, and historic sightseeing:
- Mile 1 in Seward: A flat, accessible self-guided walking tour along Resurrection Bay and historic Seward landmarks.
- Moose Pass & Johnson Pass: Gentle mountain valley trails and historic Kenai Peninsula segments managed with the U.S. Forest Service.
- Girdwood & Winner Creek / Crow Pass: Historic gold-rush trail climbing from Girdwood past the Monarch Mine ruins to Raven Glacier and descending to the Eagle River Nature Center.
- Eklutna & Knik: Historic Dena'ina village heritage sites, Eklutna Lake trails, and the Knik Museum & Mushers Hall of Fame.
Downloadable Trip Planning Guides & Brochures
Section 508-accessible visitor map and spectator guide for the Iditarod Ceremonial Start at BLM Campbell Tract and Campbell Creek Science Center, including shuttle routes, parking, and trail access (2 pages).
Comprehensive 16-page U.S. Forest Service visitor magazine covering the Eastern Kenai Peninsula, Turnagain Arm, Iditarod National Historic Trail Southern Trek, public-use cabins, camping, and wildlife safety (16 pages).
Self-guided historical walking tour map and illustrated brochure of Mile 1 of the Iditarod National Historic Trail along Seward's Resurrection Bay waterfront (2 pages).
Flagship 24-page full-color Visitor Guide featuring the Iditarod Trail System Map, historic overview, Kenai Mountains, Turnagain Arm, Anchorage, Wasilla, McGrath, Unalakleet, Nome, Passport Stamp Program, and Public Shelter Cabins (24 pages).
