Tucked beneath a canopy of trees along the upper stretches of the Kenai River is the K’beq’ Cultural Heritage Interpretive Site.
K’beq’, meaning “footprints,” gives visitors a glimpse into traditional Dena’ina customs and culture. We operate this site in partnership with the Chugach National Forest.
K’beq’ sits at a Dena’ina place known as Sqilantnu, meaning “ridge place river.” Our ancestors spent the summer months preserving and storing the salmon that came to them, which they harvested with weirs and spears.
In the fall, they hunted caribou and sheep in the surrounding mountains. They gathered berries and other plants to be used as food and medicine, and wood products for boats, tools and shelter. While trapping and hunting continued through the winter, Dena’ina people focused on social life and potlatching.
The spring brought a run of eulachon to the river, and waterfowl returning to the area.
K’beq’ Cultural Heritage Interpretive Site features:
• A boardwalk that wraps around a prehistoric Dena’ina house foundation
• Interpretive signs highlighting traditional culture and knowledge
• The historic Darien-Lindgren cabin
• Gift shop
Tribal members and staff host interpretive walks and cultural presentations throughout the summer.
The entrance to K’beq’ is located at Mile 52.6 of the Sterling Highway, across from the Russian River Campground entrance near Cooper Landing.
The K’beq’ Cultural Heritage Interpretive Site is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 8 to Sept. 4.
Friday Presentations From 1 to 3 p.m.
- June 12 – Plant walk to identify traditional Dena’ina medicine: When to harvest and how
- June 19 – Plant harvesting for salve and tea
- June 26 – Traditional Dena’ina tools: Atlatls, arrows, stone and bone
- July 10 – Salmon preservation: Traditional and modern, cache pits, dry cache, smoking and canning
- July 17 – Dena’ina animals, with a fur presentation and Dena’ina animal names
- July 24 – Storytelling and dance
- July 13 – Birch bark baskets in Dena’ina style, with uses and examples
- Aug. 7 – Gega: Berry season with Dena’ina berry names and uses
- Aug. 21 – Dena’ina fishing methods: Traditional and modern
- Aug. 28 – Dena’ina foods
- Sept. 4 – Drum and dance closing
A tour group learns about a traditional Dena’ina home at K’beq’ alongside the Kenai River near Cooper Landing.
The Darien-Lindgren cabin is on display at K’beq’.
Visitors learn traditional uses for local plants during a tour of K’beq’.
Contact – Location – Hours
Mile 52.6 of the Sterling Highway, near Cooper Landing
907-335-7652
The K’beq’ Cultural Heritage Interpretive Site is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday from June 8 to Sept. 4.
Friday Presentations From 1 to 3 p.m.
