Eklutna Historical Park

The feel

More than 100 spirit houses, small vividly painted wooden structures built over individual graves, stand in rows across the grounds, and no two are alike. They originally held guns, cups and other items the departed might need in the afterlife. The cemetery is still an actively used burial ground, and visitors are asked to treat it with reverence.

St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, built circa 1870, is the oldest standing building in the greater Anchorage area. A second, white church built in 1962 stands on the site. The park sits on the oldest continuously inhabited village site in Southcentral Alaska.

What to expect

What it is

At 26339 Eklutna Village Rd, Chugiak, 26 miles northeast of downtown Anchorage.

Time

Tour guides give an orientation talk before leading visitors through the site and both churches.

Crowds and best time

Guided tours run seasonally from May through September.

Fees and passes

Admission is approximately $10 for adults.

Hazards

Mosquitoes, so wear repellent in the cemetery.

Season and access

The cemetery is always open. From the Glenn Highway at Eklutna, turn west after the off ramp; the church is less than a quarter mile along on the left.

Mingo says

Aim for May through September, when guided tours run. A guide can walk you through the grounds and both churches.

Before you go

• Call (907) 688-6026 to confirm tour days and hours, which vary by season.
• Bring about $10 per adult for admission.
• Pack mosquito repellent for the cemetery.
• Photography is permitted in most areas, so ask your guide where it is not.

Written October 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.