The Tagish people call this area Todezzane, “wind blowing all the time” and the Tlingit call it Naataase Heen, “water running through the narrows”. In 1899, the community was officially named Caribou Crossing, referring to the spot where the local woodland caribou herd crossed the narrows. Bishop Bompas requested Caribou Crossing be renamed Carcross in 1904, and the government approved it in 1906.
J.H. Brownlee surveyed the town site in 1899 for the White Pass & Yukon Route (WP&YR). Before the completion of the railway in 1900, Carcross consisted of a North West Mounted Police post and associated reserve on the north side of the narrows and a First Nation community on the south. The town was established by WP&YR to maintain the rail line and connect freight and passengers to Atlin and points around the lake via the sternwheelers.
A major fire completely destroyed the downtown core in 1909, but the town survived. Over the years, buildings were relocated to Carcross from Bennett City, Conrad City, and other abandoned mining communities in the area. Carcross is situated on the South Klondike Highway halfway between Skagway, Alaska and Whitehorse, Yukon.
Carcross Commons is in the middle of town and is home to local First Nations totem poles, numerous shops, restaurant and art galleries showcasing local indigenous artwork. There are restrooms, a playground and the Visitor Center in the Commons area. Open May to September.
Carcross Desert Although this is not a desert climate, the 260 hectares of sand dunes is known as the Worlds Smallest Desert. The dunes are what remains of a glacial lake bed and sand carried by wind from nearby Bennett Lake. During the summer the desert is used by locals and visitors for hiking, ATVing and sandboarding. Located 1 km north of Carcross.
Montana Mountain in Carcross is a recreational haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Over 40 km of hiking and biking trails are maintained by local youth of the Carcross/Tagish First Nation. These biking trails are considered world-class and have become a major attraction for many visitors to Carcross.
S.S. Tutshi Memorial This was once one of the largest Riverboats to ply the Yukon waters and was built in Carcross in 1917. It operated until 1955 taking tourists to the area around the Southern Lakes. It was beached in Carcross in 1972 and underwent restoration between 1977 and 1990, when it tragically caught fire.
Skookum Jim’s House in Carcross Commons is the Parks Canada Visitor Center. Named after the co-discoverer of gold that started the Klondike Gold Rush.
Haa Shagóon Hídi (Carcross learning Centre) was built by the Carcross/Tagish First Nation people to showcase the art, culture and history of their community. Interpretive trails lead from the building along the shoreline of Nares Lake.
