The Story Behind Carcross Desert

Although this area is often referred to as the “World’s Smallest Desert”, it’s actually just a series of sand dunes. In fact, the area is considered to be too humid and receives too much rain to be considered a desert, at all. However, the random patch of sand in the middle of a valley appears to be a dessert. The dunes are actually what is left of a massive glacial lake that was formed during our most recent glacial period. Pretty cool, huh?

Today, most of the sand here is carried by the wind from nearby Bennett Lake. Although the local government has made an effort to protect the area, they received opposition from the locals who used the dunes for recreational purposes.

What is there to do at the Carcross Desert?

Upon first glance, there doesn’t appear to be much to do here. When you initially pull into the parking lot you’ll see a few educational signs giving you the history of the area and a bathroom. The rest…is left up to your imagination. Whether you decided to climb to the top of the tunes, roll down the dunes, or build a sandcastle- the choice is up to you! We suggest climbing to the very top of the large sand dune to the north. This vantage point offers incredible views of Bennett Lake. Trust me, it’s worth the trek to the top of the dune!

Of course, if you have a bit more time, there are also tours available in the area if you’re interested in renting an ATV or sporting equipment. How cool would it be to spend the afternoon four-wheeling in this scenic location?

What else can I do in the desert?

• Sandboarding
• Off-roading tours
• Beach volleyball
• Hiking
• Skydiving
• Skiing
• Snowboarding
• Climbing

All in all, despite the desert being small (and not a desert at all), Carcross Desert is a great stopping point to break up your car trip. This photogenic little pocket of sand stands out in stark contrast to the emerald lakes and stunning snow-capped mountains that dominate the area. It is well worth the stop.

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We had a lot on our itinerary for the day. We were heading to British Columbia and The Yukon, and of course, we had to explore this charming little town. We planned on fitting as much as we could so that we had a chance to really explore this area. First, we followed the White Pass Trail from Skagway up to Frasier, British Columbia passing cascading waterfalls, gorgeous snow-capped mountains, and some of the most spectacular lakes I’ve ever seen. Yep, you read that right- we headed into Canada!

British Columbia

Words simply cannot describe how stunning British Columbia was! The towering snow-capped mountains, the lush green evergreens, the azure glacier lakes were more gorgeous than I can put into words. Visiting this region was like a dream come true- I’m dying to go back!

I spent the hour-long ride from Fraser, British Columbia to Carcross, Yukon Territory gazing out the window with my jaw dropped. The vistas were breathtaking! This would be an amazing spot to pitch a tent for a couple of weeks and forget about the world.

Yukon Territory

Next, we made a pit stop in Carcross at the Caribou Crossing Trading Post for a delicious barbecue lunch and a chance to stretch our legs.

After lunch, we went to spend some time with animals. We fed goats, alpacas, and donkeys! This goat reminded us so much of our little terrier Parker. He had a way of forcing himself on you so that you’d pay attention to him.

Then, we had a meet and greet with some of the Alaskan sled dogs. We watched as they were harnessed up and carried sleds off into the hillsides.

Next, we made a pit stop at the Carcross Desert, which is often called “The World’s Smallest Desert”. It was a great spot to stretch our legs and admire the biodiversity of the area.

Our last stops in The Yukon were Spirit Lake and Emerald Lake, both well known for their impeccable green coloring.

Have you met my pet monkey Isabelle? Isabelle has traveled with me for nearly 2 decades. She has visited 18 countries with me and joined me on my trip into Canada since she missed out on my first trip to this amazing country!

Skagway, Alaska

Finally, it was time to check out Skagway! Isn’t it such a charming little town? It was covered with Gold Rush-era buildings painted in vibrant colors and decorative storefronts.

How cool is this building? It’s covered entirely in driftwood!

Lastly, we met up with some friends at the historic Red Onion Saloon, one of the best-known brothels in all of Alaska. The ladies of the Red Onion are all in full costume and character and are an absolute riot. The upstairs is a museum dedicated to the building’s past and the saloon’s role during the gold rush. The day was a perfect introduction to all of the wonderful things we would see throughout Alaska and western Canada.

While in Skagway…

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Slide on over to our post about checking out the famous Mendenhall Glacier in Tongass National Park just outside of Juneau. Be sure to give us a like on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for more travel tips and tricks. See you next time!