Carcross, Yukon, originally known as Caribou Crossing, is an unincorporated community in Canada. Nestled on Bennett Lake and Nares Lake, it is home to the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. This world-class mountain biking destination is also known for the nearby Carcross Desert, often referred to as the "world's smallest desert."
Caribou Crossing was a fishing and hunting camp for Inland Tlingit and Tagish people. Artifacts from First Nations people living in the area, dating back 4,500 years, have been found in the region. The community was named after the migration of a large number of caribou across the natural land bridge between Lake Bennett and Nares Lake.
The modern village of Carcross, Yukon, began in 1896, during the Klondike Gold Rush. It was a popular stopping place for prospectors going to and from the gold fields of Dawson City. Caribou Crossing was also a station for the Royal Mail and the Dominion Telegraph Line, serving as a communications point on the Yukon River.
In 1904, Caribou Crossing was renamed Carcross due to mail mix-ups with the Cariboo Regional District in nearby British Columbia. While silver mining was promoted nearby in Conrad, Yukon, in the early 1900s, mineral exploration continues today. However, tourism is now the primary driver of the community's economy.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Carcross had a population of 317 living in 168 of its 229 total private dwellings. This was a change of 5.3% from its 2016 population of 301.
Carcross has a dry-summer subarctic climate, typical of this part of the Yukon. Summer days are mild to warm with crisp, cool nights due to low humidity during summers. Winters are cold by Canadian standards, but not so much by Yukon standards.
Carcross lies on the popular Klondike Highway and is served by Carcross Airport. The closest Canadian airport with large airline service is Whitehorse Airport. Tourist buses serving cruise ship passengers at the port of Skagway, Alaska, USA make day trips to Carcross.
In 2016, the Yukon Arts Centre opened an art gallery called the Art House and storefront in Carcross, in partnership with the Tagish First Nation. This cultural hub adds to the rich tapestry of history and adventure that makes Carcross, Yukon, a must-visit destination.
