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The trail
What is the Iditarod National Historic Trail?
The INHT is a system of trails. Some of those trails first connected Alaska Native villages. Others opened up Alaska for the gold rush. Together they celebrate Alaska's history and dog mushing legacy. They also continue to be vital for travel and recreation across Alaska today.
Where does the Iditarod Trail start?
At Mile 0 in Seward, on Resurrection Bay. In 1978 the Iditarod was made a National Historic Trail with Seward as Mile "0". A tripod and the trail monument stand on the shoreline beside the Alaska SeaLife Center.
How long is the trail?
The Iditarod National Historic Trail consists of a network of nearly 2,400 miles of winter trails that wind between the communities of Seward and Nome. It was named a National Historic Trail by Congress on November 10, 1978.
Why was the Iditarod Trail built?
While parts of the Trail go back thousands of years to trade routes used by Alaska’s native people, today’s Iditarod Trail began with an Alaska Road Commission scouting expedition in mid-winter 1908. With the strike of gold in Iditarod, the ARC blazed the trail the winter of 1910, giving the Iditarod and Innoko mining districts overland access to the deep water port of Seward, and eventually, the Alaska Railroad.
Planning a trip
Can I hike the trail in summer?
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.
What should I know before a winter trip?
On some sections of the trail, temperatures can regularly drop as low as -40 degrees with snow possible at any time. No matter what the time of year, be prepared. Check local conditions before you venture out.
Where does the Iditarod Sled Dog Race start?
The Ceremonial Start is in Anchorage, while the Race restart is in Willow. 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 race itself is run by the Iditarod Trail Committee.
Where can I get a passport stamp?
The visitor guide lists these Iditarod National Historic Trail stamp sites: the Kenai Fjords National Park Information Center in Seward, the Hope and Sunrise Historical and Mining Museum, the Begich, Boggs Visitor Center in Portage, the Roundhouse Museum in Girdwood, the BLM Anchorage Field Office (Campbell Tract) and the Alaska Public Lands Information Center in Anchorage, the Alaska Railroad between Anchorage and Seward, the Knik Museum and Mushers Hall of Fame, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Headquarters in Wasilla, the McGrath Museum, and the Nome Visitors Center.
Are there shelter cabins on the trail?
Yes. The Bureau of Land Management keeps public shelter cabins along the trail, among them Tripod Flats and Old Woman cabins on the Kaltag Portage. They are emergency shelters for winter travelers, and volunteers and the Alliance help keep them supplied and repaired.
Joining and helping
How do I become a member?
Join or renew in the store: an individual membership is $20 a year, a family $30, a nonprofit organization $50 and a contributor $75. Junior memberships (age 18 and under) are $10 and school memberships $20. Annual memberships run from January 1 to December 31 each year.
How can I donate?
Give a donation on its own, with no membership, or add one when you join or renew. The Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Tax ID #92-0165948.
How can I volunteer?
Are you a high school or college student? Check out the Student Conservation Association, or the Youth Conservation Corps. Your local Iditarod Trail Blazer group may have additional volunteer opportunities: the Seward, Knik and McGrath Trail Blazers and the Nome Kennel Club.
What is the Golden Tripod award?
The Golden Tripod Stewardship Award was specially created by the Alliance to recognize and thank an individual, organization or entity which has significantly contributed to stewardship of the INHT. Anyone can nominate someone; the Fall 2026 Tripod opened nominations for the 2027 award.
Do store prices include shipping?
All prices for publications include shipping by U.S. Postal Service.
Teachers and kids
What is iTREC!?
Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom (iTREC!) is a place-based professional development workshop series connecting communities along the Iditarod National Historic Trail, promoting resource stewardship, recreation, and community engagement. The future of the iTREC! program remains a high priority for IHTA and discussions with partners continue.
Is there something for kids?
Become a Junior Trailblazer. The booklet will guide kids and adults alike through learning about the history and modern day use of the Iditarod National Historic Trail, America's only winter National Trail. It was completed in partnership with Bureau of Land Management Alaska and the Chugach National Forest.
About the Alliance
Who manages the trail?
The National Trails Act was established in 1968 with the vision of managing the trails through partnerships. In Alaska, the principal non-profit partner is the Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance. We work with the Congressionally-designated Trail Administrator at the Bureau of Land Management. BLM actually directly manages only a small section of the Iditarod Trail, so partnerships with other governmental, private, and tribal land managers throughout the state are critical to the Trail's protection.
Is the Alliance the Iditarod Sled Dog Race?
No. The Iditarod National Historic Trail, Inc. dba Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance is a statewide nonprofit organization chartered to advance the knowledge, appreciation, and enjoyment of the historic Iditarod Trail. The race is run by the Iditarod Trail Committee, one of the Alliance’s partners.
Who runs the Alliance?
Betsi Oliver is the Alliance’s Executive Director; she started on March 17, 2025. The officers are President Judy Bittner, Vice President Jonathan Sewall, Secretary Kirsten Bey and Treasurer Lesli Schick.
What is The Tripod?
The Alliance publishes a newsletter, a member benefit. Newsletters from 2013 to date are available, and every issue can be searched by its full text.
How do I contact the Alliance?
Email iditarodhta@gmail.com, or send an old fashion letter to: Iditarod Historic Trail Alliance, 3705 Arctic Blvd #272, Anchorage, AK 99503-5774.