Kijik, human settlement in Alaska, United States of America
Kijik is an archaeological site in Lake Clark National Park with remains of ancient villages built by the Dena'ina people over 2000 years ago. The ruins show house foundations, communal buildings, underground storage structures, and a Russian Orthodox church that record the long occupation of this location.
Kijik emerged over 2000 years ago as a Dena'ina settlement and remained inhabited until the early 20th century. A severe influenza epidemic in the early 1900s caused residents to leave and relocate to the nearby town of Nondalton, transforming the site into a ghost town.
Kijik reveals how the Dena'ina people organized their community and used the surrounding environment. The remains of houses, steam baths, and communal buildings show how closely their daily life was tied to fishing, hunting, and the changing seasons.
The site is not open for unrestricted public visits and is located within protected Lake Clark National Park, requiring special permission to access. The remote location in Alaska demands careful planning for rough terrain, severe weather conditions, and respect for the archaeological remains on the ground.
The Dena'ina people return to the site each year to gather plants and hunt, showing that this place remains alive for descendants despite its abandonment as a home. This ongoing relationship with the land connects history and present life in a rare example of living heritage.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
