Carcross Desert

Located outside Carcross, Yukon, Canada, the Carcross Desert is often considered the smallest desert in the world. It measures approximately 1 sq mi or 2.6 sq km or 640 acres. It’s not an actual desert, but a large bed of sand that was formed during the last ice age, when large glacial lakes formed and deposited silt. When the lakes dried, the dunes were left behind. Today, sand comes mainly from the nearby Bennett Lake, carried by wind. The dunes contain a wide variety of plants, including unusual varieties such as Baikal sedge and Yukon lupine, among others.

Carcross Desert is a popular tourist spot and very popular among locals who enjoy recreational activities in the dunes such as sandboarding. Tourist groups also use the area for off-road scenic tours, which are allowed on the fine-grained dunes. Other summer activities include hiking and all-terrain vehicles. In the winter, the area is used mainly for cross-country skiing and snowboarding.