Iron Dog expands route to Huslia, Shungnak, Ambler after federal reversal

For the first time, the world's longest snowmachine race will run through Huslia, Shungnak, and Ambler — three rural Alaska Native communities now added to the Iron Dog route after a federal U-turn cleared the way through Koyukuk and Selawik national wildlife refuges and Kobuk Valley National Park.

The expansion came after U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Sara Boario overturned a prior denial in February 2026. Senator Dan Sullivan's office had drafted the appeal, flagging what it described as inconsistencies in the agency's December 2022 Comprehensive Conservation Plan — the document the original denial had leaned on. With Boario's reversal, the Environmental Assessment, Finding of No Significant Impact, and required refuge permits are now in place.

The Iron Dog covers about 2,500 miles. Reuben Hanke, the race's Trail Committee Chairman, said the new route is the result of "countless hours of collaboration" with federal officials, tribal organizations, Alaska Native corporations, and village leaders — the kind of multi-agency effort that puts three villages on a 2,500-mile racecourse they weren't on a year ago.