Willow: Iditarod, Rivers, and History

Willow can be explored through several specific themes: the Iditarod, its gold and transportation history, and activities on rivers and lakes. When planning your trip, it is worth distinguishing recurring event dates from a single date for a particular year, and considering seasonal offerings separately. This will help you tailor your stay to what you want to do in Willow and the surrounding area.

The Iditarod and Local History

The ceremonial start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race takes place in Willow at the Community Center on the first Sunday in March; the exact date may vary from year to year. This is distinct from the race’s official restart: in 2026, it was scheduled to take place in Willow on Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. If your stay is tied to the race, check the announcement for the relevant year.

Willow began as a tent city after gold was discovered at Willow Creek in 1897. Its transportation history can also be traced through specific milestones: the Talkeetna Trail, a precursor to the Parks Highway, passed through Willow. By 1920, the town had its own railroad station. Together, these events offer a local perspective on the development of a settlement shaped by the gold discovery into a place with its own role in transportation history.

Rivers, Fishing, and Rafting

The Willow Creek State Recreation Area has a large developed campground for overnight stays near the confluence of Willow Creek and the Susitna River. The area is a popular fishing spot for salmon, rainbow trout, grayling, and Dolly Varden. Rafting is also possible on a gentle Class I–II section of Willow Creek, with day trips and overnight trips available. Fishing and rafting are two distinct ways to experience the area’s rivers.

Fishing guides based in Willow offer full- or half-day river trips targeting salmon and rainbow trout. Providers may change. If you plan to include a tour in your trip, confirm dates and offerings directly with the guide.

Lake Scenery and Getting Your Bearings

Nancy Lake State Recreation Area encompasses a lake-filled landscape preserved for recreation. The Nancy Lake Trailhead is in Willow. An interactive map of all trails is available on the Matanuska-Susitna Borough’s “Willow Area Trails” page.

Another landmark is the Susitna Landing (Kashwitna River) Public Use Facility, at the confluence of the Kashwitna and Susitna Rivers. The facility offers a view of Mount Denali. To reach it, turn off the Parks Highway at mile marker 82.5 onto E. Susitna Landing Road; the road runs for about a mile from the highway to the facility.

Trails and Seasonal Outings

The Willow Area Trails network is maintained by volunteers and used primarily by motorized vehicles. Near Willow, the Willow Mountain Critical Habitat Area can be accessed from the south via the Peters-Purches Creek Trail from Hatcher Pass Road and via the Willow Creek Mountain Trail from Willer-Kash Road. Neither trail is maintained. When planning, it is important to distinguish between the predominantly motorized trail network and the unmaintained trails on Willow Mountain.

Near Willow, the public-use cabins at Nancy Lake are accessible in summer by canoe, on foot, or by floatplane. In winter, you can reach the cabins by skis, dog sled, snowmachine, or airplane. Access options therefore vary considerably by season. In summer, dog kennels in Willow also offer tours and rides in dog-pulled carts; operators and dates may change.

Find a Hotel for Your Trip to Willow

When looking for a hotel in Willow, it helps to start with the specific reason for your trip: an Iditarod date, a river trip, or a seasonal outing each calls for different planning priorities. Check event dates for the relevant year and confirm the dates of seasonal tours with providers. This will help you choose a hotel that suits the stay you are actually planning.

Discover more destinations: Talkeetna, Wasilla, Palmer

For the broader travel overview: Matanuska-Susitna Borough.