A Day in Carcross
Carcross Commons
When visiting the Yukon, Carcross is a must see! It’s close proximity to Whitehorse allows for an easy day trip or a couple nights stay.
Carcross Commons
Carcross Commons is a seasonal attraction in Carcross that attracts 18 artisans’ boutiques, a restaurant, a coffee shop and a playground. Some of the vendors include: Yukon Originals, Shelley MacDonald Jewelry, The Maple Rush, and A Pocket of Posies. Quench your thirst at Caribous Crossing Coffee and top up for lunch at Bistro on Bennett. Make sure to visit the Carving Shed located between the Commons and the SS Tutshi where Master Carver Keith Wolfe Smarch would love to tell you the story behind the Carcross Totem Poles.
Carcross Desert
The Carcross Desert may look like a desert but.. it’s actually the remains of an ancient lake and are the result of a glacial process. When the ancient glacier melted, the layer of sand and silt settled to the bottom of the lake in a thick layer. The Watson River now cuts through the silt layers and brings the silt and sand to Bennett Lake. The are awesome information signs to read at the desert that further describe the process and how the dune system works.
Caribous Crossing
Caribou Crossing is a must-see destination for Yukon tourists. Join the welcoming staff for BBQ lunch that is freshly prepped and served up daily. Take a tour through the Wildlife Museum to view Ice Aged animals to modern day beasts. Then hop on a cart to get a tour around the area by a dog team and play with the husky puppies. If you’re feeling lucky, take the Klondike Gold Tour and learn about the historical Gold Rush. The Petting Farm includes goats, miniature donkeys, ponies, and rabbits.
Emerald Lake
Emerald Lake is en route to Carcross from Whitehorse on the South Klondike Highway and is most famous for it’s emerald green colouring. The colouring is from the light reflecting off white deposits of marl, a mixture of clay and calcium carbonate, at the bottom of the shallow waters. The calcium carbonate comes from limestone gravels eroded from enarby mountain and deposited here 14,000 years ago during the last glacial ice age.
Mountain Biking
Mountain biking has taking off in Carcross in the last few years with the development of the trail system on Montana Mountain. As part of the Carcross Singletrack to Success Project, youth from Carcross/Tagish have worked on building trailed on Montana Mountain. There is about 40 kilometrs of trail that has been built and/or restored for bikers, hikers, snowshoers, and skiers.