Carcross

Set on the White Pass Railway, Carcross (originally known as Caribou Crossing) is just a scenic train journey away from the Skagway, Alaska cruise port, making the historic town an easy day-trip destination for cruise ship passengers. Visiting on the train or a guided tour enables you to enjoy the scenery along the way rather than being forced to keep your eyes on the road. The town is also a popular overnight destination, as there are plenty of activities—from souvenir shopping to kiteboarding on the lake—as well as historic hotels and quaint lakeside resorts.

• Carcross is a must-visit for outdoor-adventure lovers and First Nation-culture and history enthusiasts.
• For visitor information, shopping, public restrooms, food, and a totem pole park, head to Carcross Commons—the visitor hub.
• Carcross Commons is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
• If visiting from Skagway, be sure to bring your passport for the border crossing.

Set on the Klondike Highway, Carcross is 68 miles (110 kilometers) north of Skagway, Alaska and 46 miles (74 kilometers) south of Whitehorse. You can reach the town by car, train, or on a tour. Bus tours run from both Skagway and Whitehorse.

Carcross comes alive from May through September. If you want to catch First Nation cultural events and live music, check the town’s online events calendar.

Just outside of town, you can visit Carcross Desert. While famous for being the “world’s smallest desert,” the fields of sand dunes—left over from a glacial lake—don’t actually qualify as an official desert. Regardless, the sand dunes provide an outdoor adventure mecca where you can go off-roading, sand boarding, and hiking—all while enjoying the unique environment.