Carcross Desert — Attraction in Yukon

The Carcross Desert, situated just outside Carcross in Yukon, Canada, is renowned as the world's smallest desert, encompassing approximately 2.6 square kilometers (1 square mile) of undulating sand dunes that create a striking contrast against the surrounding boreal forest and mountainous landscape. Formed during the Pleistocene epoch, the dunes originated from glacial lake sediments deposited when vast bodies of water filled the southern Yukon valleys, with winds subsequently shaping the exposed sands into their current configuration following the lakes' recession. Although often classified as a desert due to its arid appearance and low precipitation in the immediate area, it technically does not meet strict desert criteria owing to the region's higher humidity levels and vegetation, making it more accurately a unique sand dune ecosystem. The site's origins trace back to ancient glacial activity, where retreating ice left behind fine silt and sand that strong prevailing winds sculpted over millennia.

Historically, the area around Carcross was known as Caribou Crossing, named for the large herds of woodland caribou that once migrated through the region, a designation that influenced the community's original name before it was shortened to Carcross in the early 20th century to avoid postal confusion. The desert itself has become a point of interest for its anomalous presence in a subarctic environment, supporting specialized plant species adapted to sandy soils, such as lodgepole pine and rare Yukon lupine, while also serving as a habitat for various wildlife. Its formation is linked to the post-glacial period, where the combination of glacial outwash and aeolian processes created this miniature desert-like feature amid Yukon's typically lush terrain.

Visiting the Carcross Desert provides an intriguing opportunity to explore this geological curiosity, offering activities such as hiking across the dunes, sandboarding, or simply appreciating the surreal juxtaposition of desert sands with nearby lakes and mountains. Accessible year-round via a short drive from Carcross, the site is free to enter and features interpretive signage that educates on its natural history and ecological significance. It is particularly appealing for nature enthusiasts and photographers seeking a quick, low-effort adventure, though visitors should wear appropriate footwear for sandy conditions and adhere to leave-no-trace principles to preserve this delicate environment. The location's proximity to other Yukon attractions enhances its value as a stopover in broader regional...

Talk about a strange place. We decided to rent a car when our cruise ship docked at Skagway. 15 min. walk from ship to Avis. Car was nice but didn't have GPS although we were told it did. Thankfully, Google Maps saved us. We drove through Canada all the way to the Yukon, returned in time to fill up the tank, drop it off, and back to the ship 45 min. before embarking to Glacier Bay (took us 8 hours from start to the return. It was easily the best day of the entire cruise. We experienced the Alaska we always had in mind but never experienced on the cruise or other ports; the quiet, all alone from as far as you could see in any direction and surrounding entirely by all snow covered mountains, trees and lakes (this was in the beginning of June. Well, getting back to the Carcross Desert. Along the way we wanted to see if this was the way it was described, and yes, it was. I have no idea how this sand covered, little patch of desert can exist in the Yukon, surrounded by cold winds and snow. But while the lake across the road was still defrosting, this was exactly what you would think of about deserts. Well scratch that one off the...

Along the shore the cloud waves break, The twin suns sink behind the lake, The shadows lengthen In Carcosa. Strange is the night where black stars rise, And strange moons circle through the skies But stranger still is Lost Carcosa. Songs that the Hyades shall sing, Where flap the tatters of the King, Must die unheard in Dim Carcosa. Song of my soul, my voice is dead;j Die thou, unsung, as tears unshed Shall dry and die in Lost Carcosa.

Found a piece of paper with this poem written on it and a mark of some kind, now I keep seeing the mark everywhere. Met a resident there named Hastur, cool guy, wears yellow clothes and a white dust mask. I’ve been getting calls from the Environmental Policy Impact Committee ever since though, so be careful if you see officers. Best part though is the massive stone blocks with the writing on them that are half buried in the sand. I really, really liked...