South of Whitehorse the Klondike Highway runs through the Southern Lakes country, a landscape of long blue lakes, mountains and tiny communities. A guided day trip packages the best of it: Emerald Lake, whose startling green and turquoise colour comes from white lake-bottom sediment reflecting the light; the Carcross Desert, a patch of wind-sculpted dunes beside the road; and Carcross itself, a small community on Bennett Lake with a historic railway station, a swing bridge and the Carcross Commons shops. The tour we link also stops at Wild Adventure Yukon, with gold panning and admission included, and passes the S.S. Klondike in Whitehorse for a quick look. It lasts around five to six hours including travel and leaves from downtown Whitehorse hotels at 10 am. It suits first-time visitors who want a landscape sampler and are happy to let someone else drive. In winter, snow changes the character of the trip completely, so treat it as a scenic and cultural outing rather than a shopping stop.
Seasonality matters here. Carcross is a summer destination and much of it winds down for the cold months. The Visitor Information Centre in Carcross runs from 1 May to 30 September, many of the Carcross Commons businesses close for the season, and some seasonal treats such as the maple shop run only from mid-April to mid-October.
Emerald Lake and the desert are outdoor landscapes, so they remain visible in winter, though snow can cover the dunes and the colours of the lake are subtler under ice and snow. Because opening hours change from year to year, check with the tour operator about what is open on the day you travel.
What stays worth seeing
The lake and mountain scenery on the Klondike Highway is spectacular in every season, and a small community such as Carcross has a story to tell beyond its shops. The Carcross/Tagish First Nation carving centre, the totem poles and the memorial site of the S.S. Tutshi steamboat, which was largely destroyed by fire in 1990, give the village historical depth even when the shops are shut. Hotel pickup keeps the logistics easy, and the guide supplies context about the Klondike Gold Rush and the transport routes through Bennett Lake.
Who it suits
Travellers who want to see more than Whitehorse in a single day and have time for a slow, scenic outing. If you prefer snow activities, a snowshoe or dog sledding day may suit your trip better, and for a bigger landscape day, the Kluane National Park trip goes farther west. A summer visit is the time to see Carcross at its liveliest, and this page is worth revisiting for a trip between May and September.
What to expect
The experience
A guided day trip by vehicle with stops at Emerald Lake, the Carcross Desert, Carcross Commons and Wild Adventure Yukon, collected from downtown Whitehorse.
Best time
Summer for open shops and brilliant lake colour; winter for snowy scenery and quiet roads, with limited services.
How long
Around five to six hours, starting at about 10 am from downtown.
Tips
In winter many Carcross businesses and the visitor centre are closed, so confirm what is open, dress warmly and treat it as a scenic outing.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want a landscape and culture sampler of the Southern Lakes without driving.
- Families
- Good for children who enjoy gold panning and the scenery, with short stops and plenty of time in the vehicle.
- Couples
- Beautiful lake and mountain views, especially in clear cold weather, with a small-village feel.
- Pair with
- An evening aurora tour, or the MacBride Museum for more Klondike Gold Rush history.
- Time needed
- Most of a day, around five to six hours.
Good questions
Is Carcross worth visiting in winter?+
Yes for the scenery and the setting, but expect limited services. The Carcross visitor centre is open from 1 May to 30 September and many shops close for the season.
Why is Emerald Lake so green?+
White sediment on the lake bed reflects sunlight through the water and gives it the green and turquoise colour, which is most vivid in summer.
What does the tour include?+
The tour we recommend includes a guide, a vehicle, lunch, gratuities, gold panning and the admission at Wild Adventure Yukon, with stops at Emerald Lake, the Carcross Desert and Carcross Commons.
Where does it leave from?+
Pickup is from downtown Whitehorse locations, and you choose your pickup point when you book.
Can I drive it myself?+
Yes, the Klondike Highway south is straightforward in good weather, but winter conditions can be challenging, so a guided tour is easier in the cold months.
