BLM Campbell Tract Welcomes Iditarod Fans for Ceremonial Start Activities
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ANCHORAGE, Alaska –The Bureau of Land Management will host the finish of the Ceremonial Start of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race Saturday, March 2 at the BLM Campbell Tract. The world’s most famous sled dog race begins the following day. The Ceremonial Start is a spectator-friendly event where mushers and dogs interact with fans.
The 730-acre Campbell Tract is a great location to get a close-up view as the mushers and their dog teams dash through the woods onto the Campbell Airstrip and past beautiful mountain vistas as they finish their 11-mile run from downtown. It takes teams about 45 minutes to make the run from downtown to the Campbell Tract.
The BLM Campbell Creek Science Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., providing a place to warm up and learn more about the Iditarod National Historic Trail.
Free shuttle buses will provide access to race viewing areas on Campbell Tract from parking lots at Kasuun Elementary and Abbott Loop Community Park. Shuttle bus service will run from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be no public parking available at the Campbell Tract. Handicapped parking will be available at the Campbell Creek Science Center. Parking at the Smokejumper Trailhead will be closed for the event, starting Friday, March 1 at 4 p.m.
A map of the race route on the Campbell Tract with viewing sites is available on the web at www.blm.gov/CCSC.
The BLM asks visitors to leave their dogs at home for this event to avoid conflicts with sled dogs. In addition, the Campbell Tract is closed to motorized recreation and is a “No Drone Zone.”
The BLM serves as federal administrator for the Iditarod National Historic Trail. The BLM also issues recreation permits for other events on the Iditarod National Historic Trail and is a partner in the Iditarod Trail to Every Classroom! (iTREC!) teacher professional development program.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
