Carcross & Southern Lakes Hiking Tour: Emerald Lake

Hike the Southern Lakes trails and stand at the world's smallest desert

A full-day hiking tour from Whitehorse that drives the South Klondike Highway to Carcross, a First Nations and gold-rush village on the lakeshore, then climbs the historic Mountain Hero Trail for views across the Southern Lakes. The tour includes photo stops at Emerald Lake and the Carcross desert, with a live guide in English, Spanish or Japanese. Children from age 7 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Emerald Lake15m
2. Carcross15m

Carcross and Southern Lakes hiking tour

• Photo stop at Emerald Lake
• Visit shops and cafe at Carcross Commons
• Hike Mountain Hero Trailhead
• Photo stop at Carcross Desert

The experience

You'll leave Whitehorse on the South Klondike Highway as the mountains rise ahead. The drive itself is the first part of the day: the landscape shifts as you approach the Southern Lakes region, and the guide points out what's changing. A photo stop at Emerald Lake breaks the drive. Locals call it Rainbow Lake because of how the water colors shift depending on the light and the angle you're standing at. The lake sits between the highway and the mountains, and you'll have time to step out and see it.

Carcross is a small village built on the lakeshore, and the tour includes time to walk through Carcross Commons, where there are shops and a cafe. The village itself carries the history: First Nations heritage and the gold-rush era are both woven into what you see. From there, the hiking begins. You'll ascend the Mountain Hero Trail, also known as the Sam McGee Trail, on moderate terrain. The trail was built during the mining days, and as you climb, the guide talks about the region's mining history while the Southern Lakes spread out below you. The hike is the centerpiece of the day. It's not a casual stroll, but it's pitched at a level most people with moderate fitness can manage.

On the way back down or near the end of the day, you'll stop at the Carcross desert: the smallest desert in the world. It's a real desert, not a metaphor, and it sits in the middle of the Yukon landscape in a way that catches most people off guard. The tour runs about 6.5 hours total, and you'll return to Whitehorse by late afternoon. Bottled water and snacks are included. Bring or plan to buy lunch separately.

What’s included

• Bottled water and snacks.
• air-conditioned vehicle for the drive.
• live guide in English, Spanish or Japanese.
• photo stops at Emerald Lake and the Carcross desert.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 15 Jul 2027

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (18 to 70 years) · Child (7 to 17 years) · Under 7: can't be booked

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Arctic Range Adventure

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English, Spanish or Japanese, so pick the language that matches your group. If your group is mixed, English reaches everyone. The hike itself is moderate but sustained, so this tour suits people who are comfortable on a real trail for a couple of hours, not a casual walk.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (7 to 17 years). Children under 7 can't be included in the booking.

Can I do this tour if I've never hiked before?

The Mountain Hero Trail is moderate, not beginner-level, so you'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness to complete it comfortably. The guide will set the pace, but the climb is real and sustained. If you're unsure, ask the operator about the exact elevation gain and trail conditions before booking.

What's Emerald Lake actually like when you get there?

Emerald Lake is a photo stop along the highway, so you'll have time to step out and see it, but you're not swimming or spending an hour there. The water does shift color depending on the light. That's why locals call it Rainbow Lake. It's worth the stop, but it's brief.

How much walking is involved beyond the hike?

Beyond the Mountain Hero Trail, you'll walk through Carcross Commons and have a photo stop at the Carcross desert, so there's walking at both ends of the day. The main physical effort is the trail itself. The rest is moderate.