Day trips

Day trip to Carcross from Yukon

5 min read

The turquoise water of Emerald Lake near Carcross

The drive

Leave Whitehorse on the Alaska Highway, then turn south onto Highway 2 at the airport. First stop is Emerald Lake at km 73 — pull out at the signed viewpoint for the classic mineral-blue photo. Continue to Carcross Desert at km 65, the smallest desert in the world at 2.6 km². The dunes are freely accessible; walk 15 minutes to the crest. Whole drive with stops takes 90 minutes. Fuel up before leaving Whitehorse — Carcross gas is 20% pricier.

What to do in Carcross

Park by the historic White Pass and Yukon Route train station on Bennett Ave. The Carcross Commons has 8 restored buildings including Matthew Watson General Store (open since 1911) and carved Tagish house-posts. Book a downhill mountain bike shuttle at Carcross Bike Park, $55 for a half-day pass and shuttle to Montana Mountain summit. Non-riders can hike Sam McGee Trail, a moderate 5 km loop starting near the school with views over Bennett Lake.

Where to eat

Bistro on Bennett inside the train station is the best sit-down option — bison burger $22, Arctic char plate $28, open 11am to 8pm May to September. Caribou Crossing Coffee across the tracks does espresso and pastries for under $8. If you drive back via the Tagish Bridge route (adds 40 minutes), stop at Tagish Store for a smoked salmon sandwich, $14, and eat on the dock over Tagish Lake.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the drive from Whitehorse to Carcross?

74 km on paved highway, about 1 hour without stops. Add 30 to 45 minutes for Emerald Lake and Carcross Desert viewpoints.

Can you swim at Emerald Lake?

You can, but it is glacially cold even in August — around 8°C. Most people photograph it and continue. Better swimming is at Bennett Lake beach in Carcross itself.

Does the White Pass train still run?

Yes, seasonally from Carcross to Skagway, Alaska. Round-trip fares from Carcross start at $199 US. Bring your passport.

Is there cell service to Carcross?

Bell and Northwestel work in Carcross itself. The stretch between Whitehorse and the Carcross Desert has patchy service — download offline maps.