Carcross: Dunes, Culture and Railway History

Carcross offers a range of ways to shape your stay: the Carcross Dunes combine a distinctive history of formation with rare plants and animals, while local facilities showcase the art, culture and history of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. The history of the White Pass and Yukon Railway and experiences on Montana Mountain south of town add to the possibilities. When planning your trip, you can therefore consider whether nature, cultural insights or active exploration should shape your stay.

Dune Landscape and Rare Habitats

The Carcross Desert and Dunes are remnants of sand and silt. These deposits formed at the bottom of ancient Watson Lake at the end of the last Ice Age, 10,000 years ago. The present-day landscape thus reflects a development that took place long ago: what is now known as a dune area consists of material that was once deposited at the bottom of this lake.

The Carcross Dunes are home to rare plants and animals unique to this habitat. A network of trails makes it possible to explore the dunes. Visitors who enjoy spending time in nature will find both a distinctive landscape and trails to explore it.

Art, Culture and Encounters with History

Haa Shagóon Hídi is a multipurpose facility that showcases the art, culture and history of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Carcross Commons also focuses on First Nations art. It is home to totem poles and murals created by master carver Keith Wolfe Smarch of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. Both places offer a cultural experience, but with different emphases: Haa Shagóon Hídi covers art, culture and history, while Carcross Commons showcases, among other things, the work of a particular artist.

Carcross Commons also brings together local arts and crafts boutiques, a restaurant, a gourmet café, a themed playground and a visitor information centre. The site offers a variety of things to see and do, with artworks and crafts forming a distinct part of what is on offer. If you would like to take a guided tour, contact the Parks Canada office at Skookum Jim House: the office can arrange a tour where visitors can see Carcross-Tagish carvers at work.

Railway history is also part of Carcross. The White Pass and Yukon Railway station was built in 1910 as a two-storey wooden station. The station agent had an apartment on the upper floor. The Caribou Hotel is designated a Yukon historic site.

Activities on Montana Mountain

Montana Mountain lies just south of Carcross. Even after the last mine closed in the 1980s, it attracted some 4x4 adventurers, hikers and skiers. Since 2006, young people from the Carcross/Tagish First Nation have been building trails on the mountain as part of the Carcross Singletrack to Success project.

Explore More Places

You can also include these places in your further travel plans: Carmacks, Watson Lake, Johnsons Crossing, Keno City, Tagish, Teslin, Marsh Lake.

For the main travel overview: Yukon.