Yentna Station

The first Iditarod Checkpoint  - Yentna Station is a popular stop for mushers and their dog teams during the famous Iditarod race and is one of the only checkpoints that sees almost, if not, all the teams pass through given it's close proximity to the start in Willow. Located on the banks of the Yentna River, approximately 50 miles from Anchorage and 950 miles from Nome, Yentna Station serves as a vital rest stop for the mushers and their teams, as they make their way through the Alaskan wilderness.

 

Yentna Station Roadhouse is a historic lodge in Alaska with legendary owners Dan and Jean Gabryszak, known for its rustic charm and convenient location half way between Willow and Skwentna. It provides basic services and accommodation for recreational activities like fishing snowmachine riding and dog sledding, and serves as a starting point for outdoor enthusiasts exploring the surrounding wilderness.

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The Roadhouse Checkpoints are always special and a must see for any Alaska trip. They offer an inside look into the adventure Alaska travel has to offer. The long history of the Yentna Station Roadhouse and the Gabryszak families support makes the Roadhouse a shrine to Iditarod history. Unfortunately, Dan passed away from cancer in 2021, but his stories will always be told all along the Iditarod trail.

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Eye on the Trail: Remembering Yentna Station’s Dan Gabryszak – Iditarod

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Yentna Station Roadhouse is probably the busiest checkpoint along the Iditarod trail with multiple mushing teams passing through at the same time. The checkpoint is set up like a highway toll booth with five lanes that incoming mushers and their dog teams can choose from. Mushers usually move quickly through the checkpoint, opting to take longer rests further along the Iditarod trail. Yentna Station is the only checkpoint shared by the Iditarod and Jr. iditarod dog sled races. The Jr. Iditarod mushers spend their 10 hour layover camped outside of the Roadhouse.

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Join Red Lantern Tour Co. for our guided tour lead by veteran Iditarod musher, Seth Barnes. An inside look at the 1,000 mile dog sled race in Alaska. Let us know if you're interested in visiting the Roadhouse and we can make it happen!