Willow brings together the history of the Iditarod, a gold discovery, riverside scenery and seasonal outdoor activities. When planning your trip, it’s worth keeping the timings distinct: the race takes place in March; kennel tours and dog-cart rides are summer activities. Access to public-use cabins at Nancy Lake also varies by season.
Iditarod and Local History
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race’s ceremonial start takes place in Willow at the Community Center on the first Sunday in March; the exact date can vary from year to year. This is separate from the official restart: for Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2 p.m., it was scheduled to take place in Willow. This specific date does not automatically describe the restart in other years.
After gold was discovered at Willow Creek in 1897, Willow developed as a tent city. The Talkeetna Trail, a precursor to the Parks Highway, passed through the town. Willow also had its own railway station until 1920. The gold discovery and the former transportation routes offer distinct points of reference for the town’s history.
Willow Creek: Fishing, Rafting and Camping
In Willow Creek State Recreation Area, near the confluence of Willow Creek and the Susitna River, there is a large, developed campground for overnight stays. The area is a popular fishing spot for salmon, rainbow trout, grayling and Dolly Varden. A gentle stretch of Willow Creek, rated Class I–II, is suitable for rafting; day trips and overnight trips are available.
Fishing guides based in Willow offer full- or half-day river trips targeting salmon and rainbow trout; providers may change. The options differ in focus and duration: fishing is for the fish species listed above, rafting varies by route class and trip length, and guided trips vary by duration and target fish.
Lakes, Trails and Seasonal Access
Nancy Lake State Recreation Area encompasses a lake-dotted landscape preserved for recreation. In summer, public-use cabins at Nancy Lake near Willow can be reached by canoe, on foot or by floatplane. In winter, the listed ways to get there are by skis, dogsled, snowmachine or airplane. This change between summer and winter access is a specific difference to factor into your trip planning.
The Nancy Lake Trailhead is in Willow. The Willow Area Trails network is maintained by volunteers and is used mainly by motorized vehicles; an interactive map shows all the trails. The Willow Mountain Critical Habitat Area near Willow is also accessible from the south: via the Peters-Purches Creek Trail from Hatcher Pass Road or via the Willow Creek Mountain Trail from Willer-Kash Road. Neither trail is maintained.
In summer, Willow kennels offer tours and rides in dog-pulled carts. Individual providers and dates may change. These seasonal activities are clearly distinct from access to the Nancy Lake cabins, where the described means of transportation vary by season.
Susitna Landing
The Susitna Landing (Kashwitna River) Public Use Facility is located at the confluence of the Kashwitna and Susitna rivers. The facility offers a view of Mount Denali. By car, take the Parks Highway at Mile 82.5, then E. Susitna Landing Road. This road runs for about one mile from the highway to the facility.
Discover more destinations: Wasilla, Talkeetna, Palmer
Return to the main travel overview: Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
