In all there are 10 institutional land managers and numerous private owners. Today Unlike the Appalachian or Pacific Crest national trails which are located near heavily populated areas, most of the Iditarod is located in remote areas with sparse populations. The Iditarod evolved as a winter access route to various mining districts. As a result, the trail tended to follow features which required little to no construction. Swamps, tundra bogs, lakes and unbridged rivers became pathways during the long winter.
Most current use occurs when the tundra and rivers are frozen and easier to cross.
Today, only a small portion of the trail can be hiked during the summer months due to the thick wet tundra vegetation and voracious mosquitoes on much of the trail. However, short segments of the trail can be hiked near Seward on the Chugach National Forest or near Anchorage on Chugach State Park. Visitors to Nome can also follow the trail east of town along the Bering Sea coast. Winter trail users include dog mushers, skiers, snowmachiners and even mountain bikers. Iditasport Race 1989 BLM photograph All Rights Reserved.