Entry No. 26 — the Anchorage file — filed under: spirit-houses

Eklutna Historical Park & Spirit Houses Cemetery

More than 100 brightly hand-painted miniature 'spirit houses' line the graves at this centuries-old Dena'ina Athabascan cemetery beside St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, the colors keyed to each family. The look is a one-of-a-kind product of two belief systems colliding.

The move: Walk the rows of painted spirit houses together at golden hour, then circle the little St. Nicholas log church and trade guesses about which family colors go with which graves.

📍 Before you go It’s a real drive, not a city stop: take the Glenn Highway north from Anchorage to the Eklutna exit around mile 26 and follow the signs into the village, about half an hour out. Check in at the small heritage cabin and gift shop at the park entrance, where docents lead cemetery walks during the summer season (roughly mid-May to mid-September); access is limited the rest of the year. This is an active, sacred Dena’ina burial ground — stay on the paths and never touch or lean on the spirit houses. Pair it with the Thunderbird Falls trail one exit away, or keep driving up the road to Eklutna Lake.

• 📍 Chugiak (north of Anchorage)
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Old Glenn Hwy, Chugiak, AK (about 25-30 miles north of Anchorage)

Hours: Added 2026-06-09 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-09