About this tour
When Jake from our BugBitten team ran this full-day tour out of Whitehorse, we drove south through the Yukon's most striking landscape — past turquoise Emerald Lake and into the Southern Lakes region. The day mixes a scenic drive through the mountains with a moderate hike around Carcross, a small lakeshore village layered with First Nations heritage and gold-rush grit. You're hiking above those massive Southern Lakes, and somewhere in there you'll tick off the world's tiniest desert. It's 6.5 hours of solid ground-covering, and the crew felt properly pushed without being flattened.
Highlights
- Emerald Lake's shifting turquoise hues from the highway — locals call it Rainbow Lake
- Carcross village itself — genuine First Nations and prospector history, not theme-park versions
- Moderate hiking trails with actual views across the Southern Lakes, not just forest walking
- The Carcross Desert — genuinely tiny, genuinely real, genuinely odd to find in the Yukon
- Air-conditioned vehicle for the long drive — crucial in summer heat
- Mountain scenery building as you head south from Whitehorse, getting wilder each km
What to expect
The day starts with a solid drive south on the South Klondike Highway. You'll spend time admiring Emerald Lake from the road — its colour shifts depending on light and angle, which is why locals have their own name for it. By mid-morning you're in Carcross proper, a working village with real history woven into the buildings and landscape, not polished for tourists.
The hike itself is moderate pacing — nothing punishing, but you're covering ground and gaining perspective over the Southern Lakes below. Jake's group found the trails well-marked and the views worth the effort. Late in the day you'll see the Carcross Desert, which is genuinely small and genuinely surprising. The whole thing feels like a proper Yukon experience rather than a highlight reel.
What travellers say
- Authentic village and landscape — not a manufactured heritage experience
- Drive is genuinely scenic; Emerald Lake alone justifies the road time
- Moderate hiking balances effort with real views and real achievement
- Compact tour fits into a single day from Whitehorse without rushing
- Smallest desert in the world is weirdly cool and actually walkable
- Long day with early start — suits early risers, exhausting for night owls
- Lunch not included; no obvious food stops in Carcross for groups
- Not suitable for anyone with spinal, cardiovascular, or pregnancy considerations
- Exposed hiking sections mean summer heat and no shade — bring sun protection
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This tour doesn't oversell. You get genuine mountain scenery, a hike that actually tests your legs without destroying them, and a village that feels lived-in rather than curated. It's ideal if you want to move past Whitehorse and see the real Southern Yukon landscape without committing to a multi-day trek. The drive is stunning, and an energy bar and water are thrown in.
It's 6.5 hours of solid activity — early start likely, late finish. Lunch is not included, so bring cash or pack food. The hike is moderate, but the tour notes it's not for anyone with spinal issues, poor cardiovascular fitness, or pregnancy — so be honest about your fitness level before booking. Summer can be hot; the vehicle is air-conditioned but the hiking sections are exposed. Peak season (July–August) will mean other groups on the trails. Gratuities aren't included but guides will expect them.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.