Official State of Alaska Vacation and Travel Information

Home » Destinations » Cities & Towns » Skwentna

Southcentral

Overview
Map
Parks + Attractions

Skwentna

A moose stands in a green pasture, looking for food

Learn More

The isolated village of Skwentna isn’t on Alaska’s road system, but it’s a major thoroughfare for dogs – the village is a checkpoint on the famous Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

About Skwentna

Skwentna lies on the south bank of the Skwentna River at its junction with Eight Mile Creek, a 70-mile flight from Anchorage.

Although Dena'ina Athabascans fished and hunted the Skwentna and Yentna rivers for centuries, permanent settlers did not show up until after the Alaska Road Commission cut the Iditarod Trail here in 1908 on the way to Nome from Seward. Roadhouses were later constructed along the trail, including the Old Skwentna Roadhouse to service the prospectors, trappers and Alaska Natives who used sled dogs to transport goods over the trail.

Things to do

Skwentna is an official checkpoint on the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome each March, as well as a gas stop for the Iron Dog Snowmobile Race in February. It is also a stop for the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350-mile race that combines skiing, mountain biking and snowshoeing. Throughout the winter Skwentna is a popular spot for weekend snowmobile and cross-country skiers who stay at many of the fly-in lodges.

The area drained by the Skwentna and Yentna rivers has many lakes and small streams that support all five species of salmon in Alaska. Taking advantage of the fine fishing are a number of fly-in fishing lodges with most located on the Talachulitna River, Lake Creek and Fish Creek. Guests target king salmon from June to mid-July and then concentrate on pink and sockeye salmon July and early August and silver salmon August to early September. Rainbow trout, grayling, Dolly Varden and northern pike are also plentiful and frequently caught.

Skwentna

Skwentna is on the Skwentna River at its confluence with Eight Mile Creek, 70 miles northwest of Anchorage in the Mat-Su Valley. The town is inaccessible by road by can be reached via charter air service from Anchorage, riverboat in the summer and snowmobile or dog sled in the winter.

Learn More

Skwentna

Learn More

Attractions

Wilderness Fishing Lodges +

The area drained by the Skwentna and Yentna rivers has many lakes and small streams that support all five species of salmon in Alaska. Taking advantage of the fine fishing are a number of fly-in fishing lodges with most located on the Talachulitna River, Lake Creek and Fish Creek. Guests target king salmon from June to mid-July and then concentrate on pink and sockeye salmon July and early August and silver salmon August to early September. Rainbow trout, grayling, Dolly Varden and northern pike are also plentiful and frequently caught.
Winter Events and Activities +

Skwentna is an official checkpoint on the annual Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome each March, as well as a gas stop for the Iron Dog Snowmachine Race in February. It is also a stop for the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a 350-mile race that combines skiing, mountain biking and snowshoeing. Throughout the winter Skwentna is a popular spot for weekend snowmachiners and cross-country skiers who stay at many of the fly-in lodges.